British children's author of fiction featuring sport & history. Dad. Husband. Fell runner. LUFC. Roy of the Rovers. After the War from Auschwitz to Ambleside . @tompalmerauthor
2023 marks the 79th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
To mark the 79th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June 2023, I will have a SPECIAL competition coming soon on twitter to win your own Glenn soft toy dog and a signed copy of D-Day Dog.
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for a chance to win.
Jack can’t wait for the school trip to the D-Day landing beaches. It’s his chance to learn more about the war heroes he has always admired – brave men like his dad, who is a reserve soldier. But when his dad is called up to action and things at home spiral out of control, everything Jack believes about war is thrown into question.
Finding comfort only in the presence of his loyal dog, Finn, Jack is drawn to the heart-wrenching true story of one particular D-Day paratrooper. On 6 June 1944, Emile Corteil parachuted into France with his dog, Glen – and Jack is determined to discover their fate … More about D-Day Dog here.
D-Day Resources
Poster to download here
D-Day Dog cover prediction worksheets Download here
D-Day Dog Blackout Poem ChallengeIntroduction and how to guide to create your own Blackout Poems, including suggested texts, examples and a certificate. Download here
10 Questions about War for class discussions Download here
ColouringWhat view do you think Jack and his new puppy are looking at? Can you draw the plane Emile and his dog Glenn are parachuting out or where they might be landing? Download here
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here. With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
Foul Play was my first children’s football series for Puffin.
Football Detective Danny Harte’s adventures took him all over the world tackling football crimes with the help of his friend Charlotte Duncan.
The series was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for the chance coming up to win a very special Foul Play prize.
Find out more about Foul Play here.
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
With an extra special Christmas or birthday card from me on request!
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For World Book Day 2023, I am offering a live virtual event and a free mini-film to share in the classroom. More activities and dress-up ideas linked to my books follow on below …
Thurs 2 March World Book Day Virtual Event
A virtual chat with the Anne Frank Trust about my book “Resist” and the links between Audrey Hepburn and Anne Frank. Catch up now here …
My World Book Day message here
And here is a reminder of what I got up to last year …
World Book Day 2022
To help you celebrate World Book Day, I’ve recorded a free virtual film for assembly/class for schools to show on the day. Filmed from Anne Frank’s Haus, Amsterdam, I’ll be sharing why her diary is one of my all-time favourite books. Watch below or in YouTube…
Free World Book Day Activities
There are lots of free fun quizzes, colouring and a powerpoint for schools to download here and downloadable posters to print for displays or bunting here. Or try these World Book Day dress up ideas … (Permission has been given to share photos of all children).
Dress Up Ideas
Stuck for ideas on costumes? I have written about a variety of characters and if you are stuck for ideas, I hope there will be something for everyone here to dress up as a character from my books …
Sports fans could dress up as a runner from Armistice Runner, a footballer from Football Academy or go to school in your rugby kit as Woody, Owen or Rory from Rugby Academy.
Or history fans could dress up as a soldier, pilot, or sailor or an Iron-age, Viking, Anglo-Saxon or Roman child from one of my other books. There’s lots of ideas below:
Edda from Resist
Elsie here is young Edda from my children’s book Resist, based on the wartime resistance childhood of Audrey Hepburn.
Elsie certainly looks the part with her plaits, continental hat, simple dress and the all important bag to hide her resistance newsletters. Thanks for sharing this with us, Elsie.
Arctic Star
Herbie here is a brave young sailor from the Arctic Convoys.
With a waterproof coat, woolly hat, thick sheepskin gloves, and a life jacket Herbie looks ready to take on the threats above and below the arctic ocean in the Second World War. Not forgetting the addition of a whistle in case he goes overboard.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Herbie.
Lily and the fell runners from Armistice Runner
If you enjoy running with a club or can borrow a running vest & shorts or hoodie and leggings with trainers, you could be Lily and one of her team mates from Armistice Runner.
Maybe add a medal round your neck or pin a paper number to your top.
Lucy and Amelie have been inspired by Lily and have taken up fell running and competed in the impressive Kendal Winter League.
The characters in Football Academy are from a wide range of family backgrounds see the team list here to give you more ideas. Kit tips:
football top (ideally red) but other colours could be the away kit or a goalkeepers kit
shorts
long socks
football boots or trainers
a Football Academy book – borrow one from your local library or print a picture of the cover off here
“The only character that my son, Albie (aged 7 and in Year 3) wanted to dress up as on World Book Day was Jake Oldfield from Boys United. I was happy to customize a shirt for him, and he couldn’t have been prouder as he went through the school gates this morning.” Emma
More footballers in my books:
Kofi Danquah is a brilliant young African player from a family of cocoa farmers. With Danny’s help he ends up being signed by a top UK club. (Bi
smark Boateng, the player who I met and based my character Kofi Danquah on, is now on the books of Manchester City and is currently on loan in Norway).
Rocky and Roy of the Rovers are older footballers ideal for both girls and boys to dress up as. Kit tips:
Red & yellow kit
A Melchester Badge
Your favourite Rocky or Roy book
There are other sporty and brave spying girls and boys in my Squad books Black Op and White Fear more here. In White Fear (sorry, spoiler coming) Lesh is in a wheelchair but he still plays a vital role in the Squad team with his skills in gadgetry and computer systems to prevent an international war breaking out.
Army – soldiers like Jack in my book Over the Line, who served in the footballer’s battallion from the First World War. Kit ideas:
green top & trousers
black boots
print out this medal
Navy – sailors like Frank, Joseph and Stephen from Arctic Star who served on HMS Belfast in the Second World War. Kit ideas :
A big coat
Wellington boots
A snow shovel
A Sowester hat
Fake snow on fake beards or eyebrows
An Arctic Star medal
RAF Pilots – like Jatinder in my book Flyboy or Greg in Spitfire. Kit ideas:
swimming goggles
hat with ear flaps
heavy jacket
you could even make a cardboard sopwith camel or spitfire to wear
Parachutist like Private Emile Corteil who served in the Parachute Battalion with ‘Para Dog’ Glen and took part in the D-Day landings to Normandy on 6 June 1944 and is a character in my book D-Day Dog. (Thanks for the photo Toby Naidoo from Queensland Australia)
RAF / Modern day pilots – like Jess and Maddie in Typhoon. Kit suggestions:
plainish onesie or dungarees
jacket
helmet with pipes coming out of it
Nadiya and Seth super ghost hunters from Defenders:
If you want to go further back in time, how about dressing up as one of the ghostly visions seen by Nadiya and Seth in my Defenders series:
Here’s Peterborough United Football Club’s World Book Day film ..
Get in touch if you’d like me to send your school a world book day message. Email me for more information here or use my contact formhere.
“The work of this author is making a valuable contribution to improving pupils’ writing.” Ofsted
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Schools bumper book pack and class set offers here.
Fairtrade Fortnight is a great opportunity to get children thinking about where they spend their money and the difference that choice can make other people’s lives. My children’s book “Off Side” is about fairtrade, trafficking and football.
This year, I am offering a FREE virtual, poster packs and a chance to win 6 months supply of Divine Chocolate!
2023 Virtual Event with Fairtrade Foundation
Join me on 7 March for a virtual event with the Fairtrade Foundation.
If you would like a special Fairtrade signed poster pack please fill in the order form below:
2023 Win 6 Months Supply of Divine Chocolate
Follow me on twitter @tompalmerauthor for a chance coming up to win 6 months supply of Fairtrade Divine chocolate, just retweet my post of 26 February by Sunday 5 March 2023.
Fairtrade Fiction : Off Side
“Off Side” is about fairtrade, trafficking and football.
The hero of my children’s book Offside, is a boy called Kofi, who – as well as being a gifted footballer – is the son of cocoa bean farmers in Ghana.
At the beginning of the Off Side, Kofi’s family were being cheated and not paid a fair amount for their beans.
By the end they had become part of the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative which supplies chocolate manufacturers Divine.
I was very lucky, when in Ghana researching my novel Offside, that Divine took me to meet some farmers and to Akomaden School which is directly paid for by our buying Fairtrade Chocolate.
I have seen how the choice we make to buy Fairtrade chocolate improves lives: children being well-schooled, families learning to run their own businesses and improved homes and healthcare.
Fairtrade Fortnight Resources
Free Fairtrade schools’ pack
When I came home I worked with Divine Chocolate to produce a schools’ pack that should encourage children to think about the impact of buying Fairtrade products.
I offer virtual and in-person school visits to talk about fair trade, reading, writing and football, linked to my book – Off Side – about a sixteen year old son of a cocoa farmer who is trafficked from Ghana to England, thinking he is going to be a famous footballer. Having seen at first hand the difference it makes, I try to choose Fair Trade where I can.
Off Side also looks at people trafficking, particularly the exploitation of young footballers from Africa.
Bismark Boateng, the player who I met and based my character Kofi Danquah on, is now on the books of Manchester City and is currently on loan in Finland ! More here.
“Anton Holt” interviews Tom Palmer about writing Offside
Why did you write about an African footballer?
Research trip to GhanaI’d read a lot about how young players from Ghana and the Ivory Coast get cheated when they come to play in France and Belgium. I wondered what would happen if the same thing went on in the UK.
So you went to Ghana?
I did. It was amazing. I saw football games, watched a youth academy team and spent time with Man U’s scout for Africa. It was awesome. I also saw some cocoa farms. Chocolate is a big part of the book.
And does it tie in to the 2010 World Cup, in Africa for the first time?It does. I wanted to celebrate that too. It is great that Africa has the tournament at last. The continent’s teams have been wonderful to watch over the last few years. Cameroon. Senegal. And I think, in 2010, Ghana will be good to watch.
What age is it suitable for? Off Side is perfect for Y5. The Foul Play books are all 9+.
Real Reader Reviews
“This sporting crime thriller is the third in Tom Palmer’s football series. With a plot involving a foreign buy-out of City FC and a corrupt agent, this is a cracking read for lads who love their football. “Sunday Express
“Danny and his friends Paul and Charlotte live in an unnamed British City and are all enthusiastic followers of their football club, City F.C. Kofi grows up thousands of miles away in the Ghanaian city of Kumasi. When Kofi, a promising footballer, is brought to City F.C. under false pretences by a cheating football agent, the lives of the four youngsters intertwine. Will Danny, Paul and Charlotte be able to save their much-loved football club from a hostile takeover? And will Kofi be accepted by City F.C. and manage to fulfil the burning hopes his family have for him? This is more than just a fast-paced novel about football. It is a novel which touches on many important subjects – injustice and poverty, friendship and dreams, relationships between different countries, corporate business and people power. This novel is so good all children should read it, not just young football fans!”Sebastian Westwood, Redhouse Book kids reviewer
“I was asked to review this by Sarah at book rabbit ,she knows i love football so said yes have also been looking for a young adult to read and this was perfect i sat and read it in a few hours ,what tom has done is wonderfully summed up major concerns in world football for kids with out talking down to them ,this book should be given to any young boy that likes football but not reading it is vibrant and gives people a view in to the darker side of football .there is also the undercurrent of fairtrade to get kids think about where things come from .a lovely book this is out this month from puffin .” http://winstonsdad.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/off-side-by-tom-palmer/
“Full of drama, this is a fast moving crime thriller of football, corruption and clever detective work. Danny Harte is a passionate City FC football fan. He is also a very keen detective. With rumours flying around that City FC is up for sale, Danny sets about trying to find out what is going on. His sleuthing leads him to find Kofi, a young player from Ghana who has been duped by a crooked agent. Helped by a local journalist, Danny sets about setting things right but, in doing so, he finds himself in the greatest danger!” Julia Ecclesharewww.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/5378/Foul-Play-Off-Side-by-Tom-Palmer.html
“This is the third book in the Off Side series by Tom Palmer, who knows just what’s needed to get children, especially boys, reading. A combination of footballer’s passion, detective work and the game itself make this a winner. ” http://www.hearditintheplayground.com/readingzone-reviews-5610/
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Schools bumper book pack and class set offers here.
Signed and dedicated copies of my books make an ideal Christmas gift.
They are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
And each order made through the Thoughtful Spot will come with a special Christmas Card created by our good friend and illustrator James Innerdale to mark the publication of a new book of mine and a bookmark.
Books can be simply signed by me or using their website you can specify a message like “To Nadiya, Happy Christmas” for me to add.
We have also been asked for books to be dedicated in memory of an armed forces family member. For example, on copies of Arctic Star Tom can add a name and the ship the served on in memory of someone who served in the Royal Navy.
APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED WILL BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY. THANK YOU.
For the past ten years I have asked teachers, TAs and librarians if they would be kind enough to nominate a child they think would benefit from the gift of a book for Christmas.
My family and I would like to do the same for Christmas 2022. And thanks to a very kind donation we have been able to increase the number of books donated this year.
The Christmas Books
Each book will be personally dedicated, signed, gift-wrapped and will come with a Christmas card from me. The Christmas card will have this year’s exclusive illustration taking inspiration from one of my books by the wonderful Yorkshire artist James Innerdale.
I will send a personal Christmas card to each nominee and a poster pack for each school regardless of whether or not their application is sucessful.
The Children
Our idea is to work with schools and libraries to help us gift books to fifty children. Short applications are invited from teachers, TAs and librarians, nominating children as follows:
who have had a difficult year at school or home in the hope that a book would be a boost for them
who do not have any books at home
who one special book might help engage them with a lifetime of reading for pleasure.
Applying teachers, TAs and librarians are also asked to select which of my books for children they feel is most appropriate.
Their Privacy
All nominations will be kept in confidence and it is up to you exactly how privately you wish to give the books over.
You will be under no obligation to disclose to the child why they are receiving the book or to present it to them publicly.
The nomination process for applying adults
APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED WILL BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY. THANK YOU.
If you’d like to nominate a child, please email the following information as follows to admin@tompalmer.co.uk by Sunday 27th November2022:
the child’s name (this will not be published and will be kept in full confidence)
a short paragraph explaining why you are nominating that child (this will not be published and will be kept in full confidence)
your name and school address (where I will send the book)
We will respond ASAP to all applications as soon as we can on receipt. My family and I will choose the recipients and notify all applying teachers, TAs and librarians of the outcome by the end of November and we aim to have the books dispatched to schools in the first week of December 2022.
I am sorry, we cannot promise to send a book to every child nominated. We have set an upper limit of 50. But I will send a personal Christmas card to each nominee and a poster pack for each school regardless of whether or not their application is sucessful.
(For more information about special offer schools book packs, FREE signed bookplates and signed books to purchase as gifts see here. )
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
This year’s Remembrance Sunday will be marked on 13th November, with Remembrance Day two days earlier on Friday 11th November 2022.
To help schools mark the occasion and link it to developing literacy in the classroom, I am offering FREE resources for schools to use based around my books …
an assembly film for KS2 and KS3. I have talked about the real First and Second World War soldiers, airmen and women and sailors that have inspired the characters in my books. I have focused in particular this year on the characters from across the Commonwealth in my books including India and Canada. It is for use in the hall or for schools to stream throughout classrooms. (Watch now, unmonetised via YouTube)
a signed certificate to present to pupils for any work relating to Remembrance Day. Download here.
“The Barnbow Lasses” – a FREE 3 part readaloud story with resources. Downloadable now from here.
Resist is my latest historical story for children about the impact of being occupied on a homefront civilian occupation in WW2, based on the real Dutch Resistsance experiences of Audrey Hepburn.
I have written books about both World Wars and children of today’s serving members of the Armed Forces :
My 2021 Remembrance assembly filmed from the Arctic Convoy War Memorial at Liverpool Parish Church can be found here.
My 2020 Remembrance assembly filmed from my local war memorial about the real soldiers, sailors and airman who inspired my books can be found here.
If you would like a reminder of when future Remembrance resources will be available please use the contact form below. Please be patient. Our replies are not automated so you will get a personal reply. See T&Cs.
Thank you
Buy Books
Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.
Tarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside in this gripping wartime tale.
Signed copies make an extra special gift. I can sign and personalise books - including a special birthday card - through my local independent children's bookshop.
My newsletter is emailed 3 times a year. Choose from Termly resources news for Teachers and Librarians or Holiday reading news for Young Readers and their families.
Please enjoy my books for free at school & public libraries, buy them from your local independent bookshop and high street shops like Waterstone's and WHSmith or visit my Amazon bookshop. Thank you.
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