Drawing with Nadia Shireen

Gabriel and I recently had the pleasure of seeing Nadia Shireen, author of Grimwood, at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. The event was buzzing with excitement, packed with children and parents alike, all eager to hear from the brilliant mind behind Grimwood. But it wasn’t just about listening—Nadia gave everyone a chance to get creative, too.

Learning to Draw Ted the Fox

One of the most magical moments was when Nadia walked the children through a step-by-step drawing of Ted, the plucky fox from Grimwood. With her encouraging energy and easy instructions, Nadia broke down each part, showing them how to sketch out his curious face, wide eyes, and scruffy tail. Gabriel’s eyes were glued to her every move, pencil in hand, trying his best to keep up and capture Ted’s mischievous expression. The whole room was a mix of laughter and focused concentration as everyone, gave drawing a go! It was amazing to see how Nadia made it seem so simple—turning a few lines into a lively fox on the page.

Queuing for a Signed Copy

After the drawing session, we joined the line for a signed copy of Grimwood. Gabriel clutched his sketch of Ted with a proud grin, excited to meet the author herself. When it was finally our turn, Nadia greeted Gabriel with a warm smile, chatting about his drawing and signing his book with a personalised message. Gabriel was thrilled, and we left with a beautiful reminder of the day—a signed copy of Grimwood and our very own hand-drawn version of Ted the Fox.

Bringing Grimwood to Life

Back at home, Gabriel’s been reading his new signed copy with fresh eyes, pointing out Ted and recreating more sketches inspired by the characters. The festival wasn’t just a chance to meet an author but an experience that brought a favorite story to life.