Author lands at Poole's Longspee Academy on World Book Day

Nick Rose, author of the acclaimed ‘Myro, the Smallest Plane in the World’ books was welcomed at Longspee Academy in Poole on World Book Day.

Dressed in a flying suit, he explained to the children how his two loves of aeroplanes and Australia inspired him to create Myro.

He also gave a presentation about how the Myro books have been animated for a new Myro App and a planned television series.

Nick, who is also a Bournemouth councillor, said: “The pupils have been great today – utterly charming and well behaved.

“I have also been impressed by the very intelligent questions they have asked me. Many of which I would have expected from much older children.”

Longspee, in Learoyd Road, provides education for boys and girls with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) provisions.

Pupils and teachers celebrated World Book Day by donning a multitude of character costumes. Year four pupil Axel Lewis, aka Darth Vader, said: “Meeting Nick Rose was good. I am going to ask him to sign my Myro book.”

“Nick has been a huge hit with all our pupils today and we have really enjoyed hearing how he created the character of Myro,” said associate principal of Longspee, Gavin O’Connell. “We hope his success will inspire our pupils to write even more great stories of their own.”

Longspee pupils later enjoyed a ‘Where’s Wally?’ themed treasure hunt and were able to choose from a large selection of books donated to the school by local people.

Every Longspee pupil also received a free Myro book, paid for by the Friends of Longspee School.