for parents, teachers and children
In The Midlands & Black Country FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
Bring all the family, join the fun!
dfs Crufts 2011, 10-13 March, The NEC Birmingham Book in advance and save at
www.dfscrufts.org.uk - under 8s go free
loads of competitions to enter
iss m Ad n io EE FR
11 FEBRUARY – 5 JUNE 2011
FREE HALF TERM ACTIVITIES
This brand new blockbuster exhibition will allow visitors to investigate the truth behind some of the popular myths about ancient Egypt. For further information on our programme of FREE events, workshops and family activities linked to this exhibition visit www.theherbert.org The Herbert is proud to be a family friendly venue
Buggy friendly H Breastfeeding friendly H Changing facilities H Kids menu in the cafĂŠ H Dressing up areas H Things to touch H Things to smell H Things to play with H Interactive exhibitions H
Welcome… It may be two months late, but Happy New Year, anyway. Here’s hoping you had a great holiday, that the new term is going amazi ng, and that we don’t get any more snow! Not wit h Spring just around the corner. If you didn’t make a New Year Resolution, do it now and promise yourself that this year you’re going to work extra hard and be extra nice to everyone, bot h at school and at home. Aft er all, it won’t be long to Easter eggs!
in this issue Book Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pinboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Roundabout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Movies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Party Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
And talking of tasty treats, this issue Primary Times has a pancake day recipe with a difference and a look at some new cookery books. To celebrate World Book Day we talk to Betty Birney, the creator of the Humphrey stories plus the re’s party ideas for mums and dads, new movies and round ups of what’s on and where to go. And there’s a bonanza of DVD competitions for Despicabl e Me, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Battle For Terra and Ma rmaduke plus the chance to win Disney On Ice tickets .
Pancake Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Enjoy!
Competitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mike and the Primary Times Te
am
Don’t forget to check the website for more Primary Times news, lists and reviews at www.primarytimes.net/midlands_homepage
Primary Times in the Derbyshire West Midlands and the Black Country
Don’t Bin It, Recycle It!
Publisher: Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham B2 4EU T: 0121 631 6101 F: 0121 336 1936 Managing Director: Andrew Riley Primary Times Derbyshire independently and distributed free through primary schools in Derbyshire. It is also available by Editorial: MikeisDavies E: published mikedav@ic24.net subscription at £10 per year. It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions.It is NOT our intention0121 to publish any 6101 racist, sexist or politically-based material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any Advertising Dept: 631 advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children.The copyright on all Sales: E: Leah@publishingink.co.uk written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Primary Times or the relevant contributor. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible.
Design: Goddard, Mark Sargent Primary Times isLeo currently publishing over 2 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain. Primary Times in Derbyshire is operated under franchise licence. Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been taken to give accurate information and any facts given are true to the best of our knowledge. However, you should rely wholly on your own enquiries and take advice where appropriate. Information is correct at time of going to press Primary Times West Midlands and The Black Country is independently published and distributed free through primary schools in The West Midlands and The Black Country. It is also available by subscription at £10 per year. It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions.It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically-based material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children.The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Primary Times or the relevant contributor. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain. Primary Times in The West Midlands and The Black Country is operated under franchise licence. Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been taken to give accurate information and any facts given are true to the best of our knowledge. However, you should rely wholly on your own enquiries and take advice where appropriate. Information is correct at time of going to press
3FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
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D L R WO BOOK DAY World Book Day 2011, the UK’s largest celebration of books and reading, takes place on Thur Mar 3, celebrating 14 years of encouraging young and old alike to share their love of books and reading.
Why read a book when I can watch TV, go on the Internet or play on my Xbox?
As ever, events will be taking place all around the country and World Book Day £1 flipbooks are back for a third year. Each book contains a different story by two authors in one book, providing double the fun for readers to enjoy when they redeem the free World Book Day £1 Book Token distributed to over 13 million school and pre-school children. Also back this year is Story Time Online, a chance for children to watch actors Bernard Cribbins, Kris Marshall, Devon Anderson and Ramona Marquez and several of the £1 book authors reading extracts from the stories aloud. Among the ten writers who’ve contributed stories to this year’s £1 flip books is Betty G Birney. The author of the beloved Humphrey stories, she’s written more than 35 children’s books including The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs and The Princess and The Peabodys and also worked for the Disney Channel, writing over 200 episodes of animated and liveaction television programmes, among them Welcome To Pooh Corner, Fraggle Rock And Where’s Waldo. Primary Times dragged her away from the typewriter to answer our questions Why is World Book Day important? I’m excited about anything 4
TV, the Internet and video games are all fun, but in the end, I think we have a more involving experience with a book. You have to bring your own imagination to the book. I’ve written TV, I like games, and I’m on the internet all day long, but in the end I would choose books over all of them. Which is better, to read or be read to? I personally prefer to read rather being read to. When I read, I can go at my own pace, enter the world of the book and let my imagination do the rest of the work. Do you enjoy reading to people? Most authors enjoy reading their stories to an audience, but it’s actually not my favourite thing to do. What books did you grow up with? My sister and I were huge readers growing up, we went to the library and brought home armloads of books. I loved the Little House books, Nancy Drew, Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Little Women, Mrs. PiggleWiggle. A lot of them aren’t well-known now, but there was a series about a girl named Maida which I adored and the Betsy-Tacy books, which I loved because Betsy reminded me of myself – she wanted to be a writer.
am going to be a writer.’ I’ve been writing ever since. One of my grandmothers was a voracious reader. My other was a wonderful storyteller. I think I got the best of both of them. Why do you want to tell stories? From early childhood, I loved living in my imagination. Writing allows me to do that. I think that writing is more than a choice. If you have a passion for it, you have to write. But you really do have to put in the work it takes to succeed. What was the first book you had published? The first book that had my name on it was called Disney Babies Bedtime Stories. I had a shared credit with two other writers. One is the now-acclaimed American author, Nikki Grimes. It was great fun to be able to hold the book in my hand, but I looked forward to the day when I was writing about my own characters. What was your favourite TV programme that you wrote for? It was one of the first shows on the Disney Channel, called Welcome to Pooh Corner. I wrote 90 scripts, rewrote another 20 or more and wrote 120 educational segments called ‘The Thoughtful Spot.’ My favourite show of all time that I wrote was Madeline. I won an Emmy (an American TV award) for that.
What made you want to write?
What is your favourite Disney film?
As soon as I started reading books, I realised I wanted to figure out how to write them too. When I was seven, I wrote a little chapter book called Teddy Bear In The Woods, gave it to my parents and announced, ‘I
I was absolutely delighted with Cinderella and Lady and the Tramp. My dog, Mitzi, looked a
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
lot like Lady, which delighted me. Why made you start writing the Humphrey books? I have to be completely honest and admit I don’t have a hamster and I never have had. One day, many years ago, I was in my son’s science classroom. The teacher had the room lined with cages and tanks with all sorts of animals. There were cute furry hamsters and mice, lizards and turtles, and they even had a boa constrictor named Lumpy, which the children loved. I remember thinking, ‘I wonder what these animals think of what they see and hear in the classroom?’ I didn’t write Humphrey for years after that first idea but when I did, I put a lot of thought into what animal it should be. It could have been anything but hamsters seemed to be the most popular classroom pet. Still undecided, I went to the pet shop on the corner and I fell in love with the hamsters and Humphrey was born. Why Humphrey? I don’t usually have trouble coming up with names, but I did with
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Ramona Marquez reads Betty Birney photo ©Frank Noon
that helps children connect with books. Often, it just takes one book to open the door to a lifetime love of reading and a much richer life.
Are the Humphrey stories based on real events? Some bits and pieces in the Humphrey books are from real life. Sayeh, the girl who never speaks in class, was inspired by a girl who was in my class for six years and never spoke when called on. The bully on the bus in Friendship According to Humphrey was based on the awful bully on my bus. The idea of being wrongly accused of something in Trouble According to Humphrey was inspired by something that happened to my husband when he was a child. Is Humphrey based on anyone you know? He’s quite like someone I know: me! I’m not as little and furry, but we have a lot in common. We want to help people but don’t always know how. We’re both excitable and sometimes let our imaginations run away with us. We both believe
that you need a Plan in order to get something accomplished. And we both write our secret thoughts in a notebook! Why have you written more Humphrey books than anything else? Most of my career was spent writing children’s television, but for a long time, I’d known I wanted to write children’s books. The World According to Humphrey was the first I wrote and sold and before that was published, I was asked to write a second one. Since then, Humphrey has taken up most of my time. And now with the new Humphrey’s Tiny Tales books, I’ve written three in one year with a fourth in the works. I do have two non-Humphrey books close to finishing but just when I’m almost there, it’s time to write another Humphrey book. Not that I’m complaining! Why isn’t there a Humphrey TV show? There may be one soon. I recently signed a film and TV deal with a company and I’m working on developing a series which they will try to get on television. These things take a long time. Do you write stories about other animals? I’m working on a book about a group of kids and their dogs. I’m definitely a dog person so it’s a lot of fun.
Do you only write children’s books? I really enjoy writing for children. I think it’s because when I was child, I found books to be absolutely delightful! I have no great longing to write for adults. What’s great about being an author? People think it’s exciting to have a book published. But that doesn’t come close to the thrill of hearing a reader say how much they loved a book I wrote. Writing doesn’t mean anything if no one reads it and connects with it. If someone loved my book, then I accomplished my goal. You wrote The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. What are your seven wonders? 1) My husband, who doesn’t mind that I spend so much time with Humphrey 2) My son, Walshe, who taught me to see the boy’s side of growing up 3) My stepdaughter Rebecca and her husband Gary 4) My stepdaughter Anna and her husband Toby
is having a party with a treasure hunt in the garden. It sounds so exciting, until the treasure is stolen and Humphrey is the only one who knows about it! It plays out like a mystery and I’m especially pleased with Penny Dann’s charming illustrations – the first time we’ve seen Humphrey and his friends. The biggest thrill for me is that it’s paired in a flip book with Winnie The Pooh. So much of my career has involved the Pooh characters, I feel as if I’ve come full circle! Humphrey’s Tiny Tales: My Treasure Hunt Trouble is published on World Book Day, Thu Mar 3. Actress Ramona Marquez can be seen reading an extract at Story Time Online www.worldbookday.com Forthcoming books by Betty Birney include School According to Humphrey (Feb), Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Book 1: My Pet Show Panic (Mar), Humphrey’s Ha-HaHa Joke Book (Apr), Humphrey’s Tiny Tales: My Summer Fair Surprise (Jun), and Humphrey’s World of Pets (Oct.)
5) My five year-old granddaughter, Remy, who LOVES-LOVES-LOVES Humphrey
To find out more about Betty Birney and Humphrey, see www. bettybirney.com and www. funwithhumphrey.com
6) My sister, Janet, who was such a big reader, she inspired me to love books as well
For details of events in your area and more information and facts visit www.worldbookday.com
7) My dog Desi. Rebecca and Anna are both artists who planned out my website. Anna maintains the website and does all the lovely artwork. And they’re all part of my fan club; except Desi, who doesn’t read and doesn’t like hamsters. What is your World Book Day story? It’s an all new story called My Treasure Hunt Trouble. Humphrey goes home for the weekend with Garth, who
BOOKS 1 £ E H T Dr Seuss on the Loose by Dr Seuss Gargoylz Make Some Noise by Burchett & Vogler/ S.W.I.T.C.H Bug Battle by Ali Sparkes Humphrey’s Tiny Tales: My Treasure Hunt Trouble by Betty Birney/Winniethe-Pooh World Book Day Special Edition by A. A. Milne
WORLD BOOK NIGHT The Great Pet Shop Panic by Katie Davies/ Spy Dog’s Got Talent by Andrew Cope Do Bugs Have Bottoms: and other important questions (and answers) from the Science Museum for World Book Day by Glenn Murphy/ Evilution: The Troof – A Jiggy McCue story by Michael Lawrence Traction City by Philip Reeve/ A Tale of Terror: A World Book Day Story by Chris Priestley
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Sat Mar 5 will see the biggest book giveaway ever attempted. 20,000 members of the public will give 1,000,000 books to 1,000,000 different people across the UK and Ireland in the course of one night. The give-away consists of one 40,000 each of 25 selected titles and members of the public are invited to take part in events, parties and celebrations with many libraries and bookshops extending their opening times. In Birmingham, the staff at Centre for the Child will be coming to work dressed in pj’s, reading bedtime stories between 2pm-2.45pm and providing free milk and cookies for all!
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
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Illustrations ©Tony Ross
Humphrey. So I looked through a baby naming book under ‘H’ for hamster. I saw Harry, Henry, Harvey, etc. At the end, I saw Humphrey and I knew that was it for a very special reason. My parents grew up two houses away from each other and were best friends from the age of nine. My aunts and uncle and both sets of grandparents all lived on this same street in St. Louis, Missouri, and my sister and I loved to stay with my grandparents. It was called Humphrey Street!
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HERB HEROES
Is your child a budding Nigella or Jamie? British Herb Growers and chef John Torode are looking for Britain’s Junior Herb Hero in a nationwide competition to encourage 7-16 year olds into the kitchen and cooking with fresh herbs. Whether it’s a beautiful breakfast, lovely lunch, delicious dinner, or just a favourite family recipe, they’re asking kids to upload a 4 minute video of themselves demonstrating how to prepare the dish and will be looking for a good presentation style and enthusiasm as well as a great recipe. Entries must be uploaded by Fri May 6 and the top three voted for by the public will travel to London for the cook off final on Tue May 24 where the winner will receive £200 of vouchers and the two runners up £50 worth each. For details visit www.freshherbs.co.uk/competition
MAKE A SPLASH FOR CHARITY
MAKE A
INDUSTRY FOR THE OLYMPICS
In the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games to be held in London, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Shropshire is hosting a series of events, activities and exhibitions as part of the ’ Cultural Olympiad. The Science, Sport, Life Festival will run from this April until July 2012 and involve activities at Blists Hill Victorian Town, the Enginuity design and technology centre and Coalbrookdale Gallery with additional events taking place during the 2011 Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend, July 23-24. Enginuity will feature Science of Sport, demonstrating the science behind modern, high-performance sports. Alongside the Olympic gold medal winning eight rowing boat, other displays will include equipment for monitoring peak athletic performance as well as a sporting timeline and table tennis challenge. Coalbrookdale Gallery will stage Sporting Life, a display of images ranging from football, cricket and quoit teams to rowing clubs and coracle racing as well as such sporting heroes as Captain Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, and football legend Billy Wright. lists Hill Victorian Town will stage its own period version of the worldfamous Community Games, which originated in nearby Much Wenlock and are said to have been the inspiration behind today’s modern Olympic Games. Visitors will experience traditional Victorian sports and games such as quoits, croquet and Chariotsof-fire style running races.
The world’s biggest fundraising swimming event. Swimathon 2011 hits over 575 pools across the UK between Apr 8-Apr 10 when over 20,000 swimmers aim to raise more than £2m for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation. According to Swimathon President and Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew, last year’s event not only saw a 37% rise in entries but around 2,500 people said they’d only started swimming again when they entered Swimathon. Now in its 24th year, over half a million swimmers have taken part in Swimathon, swimming the equivalent of over 24 times round the world and raising more than £32 million for charity. You can sign up for a Swimathon session at your nearest participating pool any time up to Apr 7, either online at www.swimathon.org or call 0845 36 700 36. Pool’s taking part in the West Midlands are Abbey Fields Swimming Pool (Kenilworth), Beeches Pool & Fitness Centre (B’ham), Bilston Leisure Centre (W’hampton), Central Baths (W’hampton), Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, Dudley Leisure Centre, Fox Hollies Leisure Centre (B’ham), North Solihull Sports Centre, Stechford Cascades Leisure Centre (B’ham),Tudor Grange Leisure Centre (Solihull), Wolverhampton Swimming & Fitness Centre Wyndley Swimming Pool (Sutton Coldfield)
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FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
DAY OF I T
It’s a busy few weeks for celebra you shoul tions. If yo d be gettin u’re Welsh g out the le dressing in , then eks and daf red, green fod and white Day, the na on Tue Mar ils or maybe tional fest iv 1 al of Wales. for S to commem If you’re Ir orate the Pa t David’s ish, on the partying fo tron Saint other hand r St Patric , then you’ k’s shamrock ll be s and green Day on Thu Mar 17 . There’ll clothing g and music be alore with everywhe parades, so re. Before Irish Stew ngs, tucking in and colcan to the traditio no plates stac nal ked high fo n, you’ll be making su r Pancake Mar 8 and Day, or Shr re you have the , if you leav ove Tuesd e mom to (today or ay, on do the was everyday!) hing up af you can m 3 which is terwards ake it up to Mother ’s D he ay, a time care. Even to show he r on Sun Apr if it’s only r how muc m turning th h you e kitchen in aking breakfast in th e morning to a disaste without r zone!
CALLING ALL RELATIVE OR FRIEND CARERS!
Are you a relative or friend caring for a child long term because they cannot live with their parents? If so, the University of Bristol would like to hear from you. Research suggests many children benefit because their carer ensures the child feels safe and loved, but such families can face difficulties. The University has been commissioned by the charity Buttle UK to conduct a study into the experiences of these young people (aged 8-18) and their carers to gain a better understanding of their situation and how their lives can be improved. Carers and children each get a £20 voucher as a thank you for taking part. The research team is currently recruiting and is very keen to hear from carers. If you’re interested, please contact Paula Vaisey on 01179546728 / 07580312526, or email Paula.Vaisey@bristol.ac.uk
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Travels with Granddad
3 Billy Goats Gruff
Pickled Image Travels with Granddad
Lyngo Theatre The Dust Man
Sun 20 Feb | 2pm | Tickets £8 (£6) | Age 3+
Sun 27 Mar | 11am & 2.30pm | Tickets £7 (£5) | Age 5+
Meet Granddad, eccentric traveller and storyteller extraordinaire. Evocative sound, light and exquisite puppetry creates a classic performance, enthralling and delighting the whole family.
Have you ever thought about what’s on the other side of the mirror? It’s the place where dreams come from, all light and floaty, and it’s where the Dust Man lives...
Fevered Sleep And the Rain Falls Down Wed 16 Mar, 4pm | Thu 17 & Fri 18 Mar, 10am & 1.30pm | Sat 19 & Sun 20 Mar, 11am & 2.30pm | Tickets £8 (£6)| Exclusively for 3-4 year olds An interactive treat for three and four year olds. mac’s theatre will be transformed into a stunning place full of drips, drops and downpours... where every drop of water has a life of its own.
Sales & Information 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk Cannon Hill Park | Birmingham | B12 9QH
Theatre of Widdershins 3 Billy Goats Gruff & Other Furry Tails Sun 3 Apr | 11am & 2.30pm | Tickets £7 (£5) | Age 3+ We absolutely adore this show and are thrilled to have it back at mac. Our storyteller brings you the most fantastic tales from the Magic Land of Three. A beautiful show using puppets and props.
THEATRE S H O W S
FAMILY & CHILDRENS
IN THE MIDLANDS & BLACK COUNTRY
NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING BelgradeTheatre
Alexandra Theatre Box Office: 0844 847 2291 Station St, B’ham www.alexandratheatre.org.uk Sun Feb 20
Box Office: 024 7655 3055
Wed Mar 9
Science Museum Live
London’s world-famous Science Museum makes its stage debut with a spectacular live show featuring spectacular science, dangerous demonstrations and extraordinary experiments that are fast, furious and frenetically fun. 1.30pm/7pm. £13.50. Tue Mar 15-Sat Mar 19
George’s Marvellous Medicine
Birmingham Stage Company’s fabulous hit production of Roald Dahl’s hilarious tale of how George’s attempt to cure his grannie’s temper has side effects he never imagined. Tue 7pm, Wed/Thu 10.30am/1.30pm, Fri 10.30am/7pm, Sat 2.30pm/7pm. £16-£12
Fri Feb 25
Lost And Found
Little Red Robin Hood
When a boy finds a sad, lost penguin at his door , he decides to help it get home. Even if that means rowing all the way to the South Pole. 11.30am/2pm. £7.50, kids £4.50
Belgrade Sq, Coventry www.belgrade.co.uk
Fireman Sam Live: Pontypandy Rocks
It’s Pontypandy first ever music festival and Station Officer Steel’s booked a surprise guest star. However, Naughty Norman is determined to find out who the secret superstar will be... at any cost. Which means a busy day for Fireman Sam as he’s called on to save the festival and the surprise. 1.30pm/4pm. £14, kids £12.
Sat Apr 2
Garlic Theatre mix up their stories with Robin in girl’s clothes and the Sheriff of Nottingham becoming a big bad wolf with glove puppets, false teeth and a frying pan. 1.30pm. £4
Birmingham Town Halll
LG Arena Box Office: 0844 338 8000
Box Office: 0121 780 3333
Horrible Histories
More hysterical historical facts and foolishness. Awful Egyptians (Tue,Thu, Sat 7pm, Wed/Fri 2.30pm) with fascinating Pharaohs, puzzling pyramnids and mean mummies. Open the Gates of the Afterlife and get ready to rumble with Rameses. Ruthless Romans (Wed/Fri 7pm, Thu/Sat 2.30pm), encounter evil Emperors and gruesome gladiators, roam through Roman Britain and spot Spartacus. There’s no place like Rome! Tue/ Wed +Wed mat £11, kids £7.75, family £29.75, Wed-Fri £13.50, kids £10, family £37, Sat £15.50, kids £12, family £43
Birmingham Libary Theatre
Wild and Live
British naturalist Steve Backshall’s brand new show with a whole selection of weird and wonderful animals. 3pm. £17
Box Office: 01922 654555
Paradise Place, B’ham
Sleeping Princess
One of B’ham Rep’s many new homes during renovation hosts the familiar story of a slumbering princess, an evil fairy and handsome prince. But, who on earth’s McBurney the dragon and what has a picture frame to do with anything? Krazy Kat retell the classic fairy tale with puppets, magic and music. Sign Language production. 11.30am/2pm. £7.50, kids £4.50
Beeches Road, Leamore www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk/ forestartscentre Fri Feb 18/Sat Feb 19
Alice In Wonderland
Walsall Youth Theatre nip down the rabbit hole as Alice gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. With new arrangements of such Disney classics as I’m Late and Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah. Fri 7.30pm, Sat 1.30pm/4pm. £5.
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Wed Feb 23-Sun Feb 27
Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure
Forest Arts Center
Sun Feb 27
Box Office: 0121 236 4455
Sat Mar 5
NEC
Victoria Sq, B’ham www.thsh.co.uk
Feb 22-Feb 26
More skating magic as Mickey and Minnie take a trip to the park where Baloo swings to the beat on the Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear has a blast on Space Mountain, Alice has a Mad Tea Party, Snow White and Cinderella join the Main Street U.S.A. parade and superhero family The Incredibles save the day! Wed 7pm, Thu/Fri 3pm/7pm, Sat 11am/2.45pm/6.30pm, Sun 11.45am/2.45pm. Wed-Fri £17/£13, Sat/Sun £21/£18. Front row £35, Rinkside £30
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
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THEATRE S H O W S
FAMILY & CHILDRENS
IN THE MIDLANDS & BLACK COUNTRY
NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING NOW SHOWING Old Rep
mac Box Office: 0121 446 3232 Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, B’ham www.macarts.co.uk
Solihull Arts Complex Box Office: 0121 704 6962
Box Office: 0121 616 1519/ 0121 605 7000
Horner Rd, Solihull www.solihull.gov.uk/arts
Station Street, Birmingham www.oldreptheatre.org.uk
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Box Office; 01902 429212 Lichfield St, Wolverhampton www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Wed Feb 23
The Line Kings
A super show of crazy cartoons, potty poems, and silly stand-up from the deranged double act. 10.30am. £6. (2.30pm, £3. The Loft, Chelmsley Wood Library). Mon Mar 7-Sat Mar 12
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast
Wed Apr 6-Sat Apr 9
Knowle Operatic Society take on Disney’s version of the Broadway musical about Belle and the bewitched Gaston with songs that include Be Our Guest.7.30pm, mat Sat 2,30pm. £14-£10.
The Jungle Book Birmingham Stage Company’s splendid musical version of Sun Feb 20
Rudyard Kipling’s classic
Travels with Granddad
adventure as Baloo and
Step inside the tent to hear the eccentric traveller’s magical tales of adventure The Clock That Stopped Time, The Violin Princess and The Most Beautiful Thing in The World , all created from the imaginations of children in Bristol and told with sound, light and puppets. 2pm. £8
Oakengates Theatre Box Office: 01952 38232 Limes Walk, Oakengates, Telford www.oakengates.ws Sun Mar 27/Mon Mar 28
The Gruffalo’s Child
One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores dad’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? Sun 1.30am/3.30pm. Mon 10,30am/3.30pm. £10
10
Bagheera set out to return young Mowgli to the man village before he’s killed by Shere Khan, the
Warwick Arts Centre Box Office: 024 765 24524 University of Warwick, Coventry www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
tiger. Wed 1.30am/7pm, Thu 10am/1.30pm, Fri 10am/7pm, Sat 2pm/6.30pm. £17.50, £10.50
Box Office: 01527 65203 Alcester Street, Redditch www.redditchpalacetheatre. co.uk
Thu Mar 10-Sat Mar 12
Wed Feb 23
Chris and Pui Road Show 2011 CBeebies’ favourites return with
family £38/£30
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack wears the rainbow robe in this fabulous production of the classic family musical about Joseph, his brothers and Pharaoh. Tue 7.30pm. Wed/ Thu 2.30pm/7.30pm, Fri/Sat 5pm/8pm, Sun 1.30pm/4.30pm. Tue-Thu £25.50-£13.50, WedFri mat £21.50-£11.50. Fri-Sun £26.60-£14.50 coloured
High School Musical
Palace Theatre
and songs, 11am/2pm. £11-£7,
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Tue Mar 15-Sat Mar 19
kids, family £52
a new show of giggles, games
Tue Mar 1-Sun Mar 6
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Join the intrepid adventurers on their quest to find a bear as they wade through gigantic swishy swashy grass, splishy splashy river and oozy, squelchy mud! Thu 1.30pm, Fri 10.30am/1.30pm, Sat 11am/2pm. £10.
Local youth production of the all singing, all dancing hit show about Troy and Gabriella as they cause chaos at East High when they audition for the school musical’s lead roles. 7.30pm, mat Wed/Sat 2.30pm. Tue + mat £15-£5, Wed/Thu £16-£5, Fri/Sat £17-£5 Sun Mar 20
The Nutcracker
Russian State Ballet of Siberia presents a magical fantasy production of the family favourite ballet. 4pm. £27.50-£13.50
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
Easter Dance 2011 Nicholson School of Dance presents an Easter programme of non-stop dance at DanceXchange covering all ages from 4 upwards
23rd7.30pm Feb 10.30am in Theatre Fri 23 FriWeds 23April, April, 7.30pm
Roy Walker The Line Kings – Roy Walker
£17 £17(£16) (£16)
Arty, Wordy Fun!
et t re lle st ba
z z ja
ry ra po em nt co
re t a e h t l a ic s u m For more information, timetable & booking
www.nicholsonschool-of-dance.co.uk or email: annettenicholson@mac.com
Comedian ComedianRoy RoyWalker Walkerwas wasalready alreadyaahousehold householdname name through throughTV TVgame gameshow, show,Catchphrase, Catchphrase,and andwon wonaa whole new fanbase with his Carpark Catchphrase Crazy cartoons, potty poems, silly stand up whole new fanbase with his Carpark Catchphrase feature Chris Moyles’ BBC Radio 11show. withon aonfat dollop of crazy by this deranged feature Chris Moyles’ BBC Radio show. double-act! TicketsMay, £6 each (for age 7+) £7 Thurs £7 Thurs20 20 May,7.30pm 7.30pm Also second show at 2.30pm at Chelmsley Wood Library (£3 each)
The The Cheeky Cheeky Chappie Chappie
Max Max Miller Miller starring starring Dave Dave Sealey Sealey
Dave the contemporaries DaveSealey Sealeyreveals thecareer, career,critics, contemporaries Thurs 21streveals April 11am & 2pmcritics, in Theatre and andsaucy, saucy,seaside seasidepostcard postcardworld worldof ofMax MaxMiller. Miller.
CBeebies Chris & £15 £15(£14) (£14) Pui Roadshow An Audience with Will Self Thurs Thurs20 20May, May,7.30pm 7.30pm
An Audience with Will Self
Easter show for young audiences, bring along a Respected writer and broadcaster favouritejournalist, toy, bear or figure to play joining-inWill Respected journalist, writer and broadcaster WillSelf Self isisone of British games, singmost songsrespected and have live fun!contemporary one ofthe the most respected British contemporary authors. May contain swearing. authors. TicketsMay £12 contain (£10) swearing.
Thu Thu33June, June,2.30pm 2.30pm
FUN EASTER WORKSHOPS The The Tell Tell Woman Woman ON SALE NOW! £6 £6
AAmagical magicalworld worldfull fullof ofstrange strangeand andwonderful wonderful creatures, some friendly and some not in what creatures, some friendly notso soliving living what houses, Indian 14th & 19th April choiceand of 4 some arty workshops incl:inHaunted is, fact, the enormous skirts of The Tell Woman. is,inin fact, the enormous skirts of The Tell Woman. headdresses, Magic hats, wands and spells or magical T-shirts. (£3 (£3optional optionalworkshop workshop--Tues Tues1st 1stJune Juneat at10.30am 10.30amininStudio) Studio) All £4 each .
12th-15th April DanceXchange Birmingham
The REP @ The Library Theatre
A fast moving re-telling of the classic French fairy tale, featuring fully integrated sign language throughout Age 3 – 7
Travelling Light and Polka Theatre presents
Lost And Found
A heart-warming tale of adventure, bravery and true love Age 3 – 7
Saturday 7 May Krazy Kat Theatre Company presents
Growing, Growing, Gone
The story of Jack and the beanstalk, featuring fully integrated sign language throughout Age 3 – 7
Book Now: 0121 236 4455 birmingham-rep.co.uk
......................................................................
The Sleeping Princess
Saturday 2 April
......................................................................
Krazy Kat Theatre Company presents
......................................................................
Saturday 5 March
Saturday 4 June Tell Tale Hearts presents
From Here To There
A show that’s all about bridges, using rhythm and vocal play, shoe boxes, card and the world of the imagination! Ages 2 – 4
The REP is a registered charity number 223660
CHILDREN’S CENTRES
PROVIDE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE AND THEIR FAMILIES
0121 303 3521
www.birmingham.gov.uk/childrens-centres
C HILD REN o f t h e STA R S
Got a budding Brian Cox in the family? There’s plenty to keep children excited about the science of astronomy, says Katie Smith
E
xploding stars, crashing comets, big bangs – astronomy is bursting with wild and fascinating events so it’s no surprise that children love learning about space. “It’s exciting and engages the imagination, providing a limitless canvas of possibility,” agrees Rob Edwards, Head of Science Education at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, who run a variety of shows for primary-age children. If your child’s mind is full of stars, here are some ways to keep the kids keen on watching the sky at night...
temperature of Venus. After bedtime, turn off the lights, switch on the planetarium, lie back and learn about the constellations. You can buy portable planetariums from just £20 and they often come with an audio tape and a guide to the stars. Once they’re hooked, there are starter scopes from around £30 which are strong enough to view the Moon and its craters. If you’re ever stuck for a birthday present there are endless variations on space-related toys – from a model of the Lunar Lander to Usborne’s fact-filled cards, ‘100 Things to Spot in the Night Sky’.
WONDERFUL WEBSITES
TAKE IT OUTSIDE
With its bright and colourful approach to hefty astronomical facts, www.kidsastronomy.com is a great place to start for younger children. Sections on black holes, galaxies and the Solar System are peppered with games, jokes and puzzles to keep kids interested. There are even a few songs – and with lines like, “the sun is a mass of incandescent gas...” they’re definitely worth a listen. A more challenging site for older primary children is NASA’s Kid’s Club, kids.msfc.nasa.gov, which is rich with stunning images, astonishing facts and engaging games. The next step up from here is free astronomical software Stellarium, www.stellarium.org. Download the 3D planetarium, key in the date and then you and your child can view the night sky as you would with binoculars or a telescope, zooming in on stars, planets and satellites.
GREAT GADGETS Every parent knows that presenting your six-year-old with a list of dry statistics isn’t likely to fire their imagination. Playing a game of Space Top Trumps (Winning Moves), however, should keep them engrossed at the same as they learn the diameter of Jupiter or the
Astronomy is immediate, accessible and available for everyone to enjoy and your child will love the excitement of wrapping up warm and heading outside for their first look at the stars. Most towns and cities have astronomical societies and many host ‘star parties’ during the darker months. At these sessions, societies bring along a telescope for everyone to share so your child will get a good look at the planets or even deep-sky objects such as distant galaxies. Check the website of your local society for dates. Other great activities for children include visiting observatories and planetariums such as The National Space Centre in Leicester, www.spacecentre.co.uk, or @ Bristol, www.at-bristol.org.uk. Check their websites for family friendly activities. Rob Edwards from London’s Royal Observatory, www.nmm.ac.uk, is keen for parents to bring their children to Greenwich where they can, “stand on the Prime Meridian, take a look at our gigantic 18 tonne Victorian telescope and come to the planetarium and talk to one of our astronomers”. So the next time your child asks how far is the Sun or why the Moon changes its shape, grab the moment and get your child engaged in some astro-related fun.
Your ultimate Guide to what’s on & when
PLACES TO VISIT Bilston Craft Gallery
Feb 22-Feb 24, half term activities. Tue: design and decorate a colourful glass panel using brightly coloured enamels. Wed: make a stained glass style sun catcher for your window. Thu: create a spectacular hanging sculpture using beads, glass, tags, ties and buttons. Tue/ Wed 10.30am-noon, 1.30pm-3pm Prebook. Thu 10am-noon, 1.30pm3pm. £2. Where: Mount Pleasant, Bilston. 01902 552507. www. wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston Open: Tue/Thu 10am-4pm; Wed 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-1pm, Sat 11am-4pm. Admission: Free
Sat Feb 19/Sun Feb 20
Land Speed Record Weekend
Discover the awesome world of the Land Speed Record breakers with games and activities for all the family, including making and racing a balloon-powered car. 10am-5pm. Free. Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry. 02476 234270.
Mon Feb 21-Fri Feb 25
Search And Rescue
Take part in a simulated sea rescue and discover how the RAF carries out operations in hazardous conditions. 5yrs+ 10am-5pm.Free Cosford Royal Air Force Museum, Shropshire. 01902 376207
Mon Feb 21-Sun Feb 27
Mud Safari
Take your wellies for a walk around the woods on the hunt for wildlife. Plus craft activities and Adventure Playground. 10am-5pm. £6.50, family (2+3) £25 Ragley Hall, Nr Alcester. 01789 762090
Sat Mar 5
Children’s Spring Wildlife Hunt
Explore the Craft Gallery Garden, learn wildlife facts and complete challenges. 11.30am-1pm. Free. Bilston Craft Gallery, Bilston. 01902 552507.
Sun Mar 21/Mon Mar 22
Mothers Day Weekend
Follow the new Spring Nature Trail and search for the tell-tale signs of Spring, make Mothers Day cards and paper flowers. 9am-6pm. £9.50, kids £5.50, family £22.50. Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-uponAvon 01789 204016.
14
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
Blists Hill Victorian Town
Mar 5-Mar 8, watch the ladies of Blists Hill take part in the annual Pancake Flipping Contest. Havea-go yourself! Where: Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Ironbridge, 01952 884 391. www.ironbridge.org.uk. Open: 10am-4pm. Admission: £14.60, kids £9.35. From Apr 9 £14.95, kids £9.95
Broadfield House Glass Museum
From Mar 12, Beside the Seaside - exhibition of contemporary crafts - glass, ceramics, jewellery and paintings - on a seaside theme. Where: Compton Drive, Kingswinford. 01384 812745. www. glassmuseum.org.uk Open: noon4pm. Admission: Free
Compton Verney
From Mar 26, Wool Work: A Sailor’s Art – exhibition exploring links between sailors, art and craft through the history of sailor’s wool works, remarkable personal tributes to both the ships which sailors worked on and their own maritime histories. Where: Compton Verney, Warwickshire. 01926 645500www. comptonverney.org.uk Open: From Mar 26 Tue-Sun + Bank Hols 11am-5pm. Admission: £10, kids £3.10, u5s free, family (2+4) £23.10. Collection & Grounds only £4, kids £1.60, u5s free, family (2+4) £9.60
Coventry Transport Museum Feb 21-Feb 25, half term activities. Get an activity pack, follow trails and solve challenges, including the all new Number Nutters. Mar 12 is i-Factor Family Day as part of National Science and Engineering week. Explore the amazing historical inventions in the Museum’s collection. Mar 19/Mar 20 1920s Weekend – discover the fun, fashions and lifestyle of the Roaring 20s, Where: Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry. 024 7623 4270. www.transport-museum.com Open: 10am-5pm. Admission: Free
Drayton Manor Theme Park Feb 19-Feb 27, Thomas Land and Zoo re-open for half term. All rides re-open Mar 19. Where: near Tamworth, Staffordshire 0870 240 6950 www.draytonmanor.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri Noon-5pm, Sat/Sun Noon-6pm. Admission: £16, 2-3s £11.50, 60+ £14
Dudley Museum & Art Gallery Explore the Dark Ages of Britain between 410 and 1066 with Saxons And Vikings, featuring mannequins, dioramas, Anglo-Saxon artefacts and even a scale replica of a Viking boat. Feb 19-Feb 27, Snapshot search – can you match up the photos and the objects. Free. Feb 22/Feb 23, Cold crafts – make freezing and wintry crafts; Feb 24/Feb 25, Transport yourself to the jungle - Trains, planes and automobiles take you to the hot jungle for some wild crafts. 11am. noon 1pm. £2.65. Where: St James’s Rd, Dudley. 01384 815575 www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-andculture/museums--galleries Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. Admission: Free
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
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Simply cut out the voucher and hand into Conkers reception! Terms and Conditions: Please cut out and hand into reception. One child per full paying adult. Not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Valid to 31st March 2011. Other terms and condition apply.. PT Feb 11
Your ultimate Guide to what’s on & when
Heritage Motor Centre From Feb 19, Sci-Fi at the Movies – original artefacts, replica models and costumes from favourite Sci-Fi movies, including Star Wars, E.T. Harry Potter, and Predator. Where: Gaydon, Nr Warwick. 01926 641188. www.heritage-motorcentre.co.uk Open: 10am-5pm. Admission: £11 (concs £9), kids £9 (under 5s free), Family (2+3) £34
Red House Glass Cone
ThinkTank
Feb 19-Feb 27, Fur, feathers or fins - hunt for the animals hiding in the undergrowth. Free. Feb 21/Feb 22, Creature comforts & flower power - a mad mix of animal craft activities. Feb 23/24, Spring flowers & minibeasts – make funky foam mini beasts and flowers. 10.30am-12.30pm/1.30pm3.30pm. £3.50. Prebook/Prepay. Where: High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge. 01384 812750. www.dudley.gov.uk Open: 10am-4pm. Admission: Free.
Half Term brings The Big Bang Family Show science demonstrations, Animation workshops, Wallace and Gromit Invention Sessions and Robot Rebuild storytelling. Feb 21-25, Animal Handling with feathery, hairy, slithery, scary and furry friends up close and personal animal fun. Mar 11-Mar 20 is National Science and Engineering Week. Where: Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham. 0121 202 2222. www.thinktank. ac Open: 10am-5pm. Admission: £12.25 concs/ kids £8.40, family (2+2) £39.
Herbert Museum & Art Gallery Until Mar 27, All Dressed Up presents a collection of evening wear costumes from the 1890s, 1920s and 1950s. From Feb 11, Secret Egypt investigates the truth behind the myths about ancient Egypt. Did aliens build the pyramids? What was the mummy’s curse? Were the Egyptians obsessed with death? Includes a
giant statue of Rameses II and a rare sculpture of Queen Nefertiti. Feb 21-25, half term activities about ancient Egyptian clothing, accessories and armour. Mar 26, We’ve got the Mummy you bring the Daddy (1pm-3.30pm), grab dads, big brothers, uncles or granddads for family challenges and dad friendly activities! Where: Jordan Well, Coventry 02476 832386. www.theherbert.org Open: MonSat 10am-4pm, Sun Noon-4pm. Admission: Free
Walsall Leather Museum
Feb 22, Animation! create your own animation. 10.30am-12.30pm (5-7s), 1.30pm-3.30pm (8-12s) £1.50. Prebook. Feb 23, help create an animation to view on-line. 10.30am12.30pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Free. Where: Littleton Street West, Walsall. 01922 721153. www.walsall.gov. uk/leathermuseum Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm + Bank Hol Mon. Admission: Free
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
17
WE’VE DONE OUR HOMEWORK.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)
We asked teachers what they need for RED NOSE DAY on Friday 18th March and like good students we did it: fun activities, fundraising ideas, an interactive CDROM, posters, balloons and stickers. Order your free schools’ fundraising pack today. www.rednoseday.com/primarytimes
S E I V O M AT THE
ily Films The Best New Fam To e id Gu es m Ti The Primary
Justin Bieber – Never
Say Never 3D (U) Feb 18
1.
performances movies before, this presents live Like the Miley and Jonas Brothers from a street rise nt tour alongside tracing his from the teen sensation’s rece al superstar. glob to non ome phen to internet performer in smalltown Canada re Garden Squa show at the famed Madison There’s 3D footage of his sell-out o drum, bong first his ing play r as a youngste as well as home videos of him special also e’s behind a full drum kit. Ther strumming guitar and getting song title the on ed rapp who h, Jaden Smit appearances by Miley Cyrus and Kid. te Kara The ie, mov hit own his which was also the theme for
Rango 3D (PG tbc) Mar 4 He’s back playing Pirates later this year, but now Johnny Depp’s gone cowboy in an animated Spaghetti Western send up from the director of Pirates of the Caribbean. Way out of his terrarium comfort zone, when pet chameleon Rango accidentally manages to kill a marauding hawk, he finds himself sheriff of an Old West town named Dirt and, having to become the hero he imagines himself, has to protect it from bad guy Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy) and his gang.
A Turtle’s Tale 3D: Sam
my’s Adventures (U) Ma r
25
e ornia beach, when young turtl Born together on the same Calif 50 d spen Ray y budd ly, he and best Sammy loses his soul mate, Shel g to find her again. Along the way years searching the oceans tryin eagle, and discovers how humans he battles piranhas, escapes an adventure with an ecological ated are polluting the seas. An anim ma Arterton and Dominic Cooper. message and the voices of Gem
Hop (PG tbc) Apr 1 Alvin and the Chipmunks director Tim Hill combines animation and live action again as, instead of taking over the family business, E.B. (Russell Brand), the Easter Bunny’s teenage son heads for Hollywo od to become a drummer. When lazybones Fred (James Marsden ) accidentally hits him with his car, E.B, pretends to be injured, moves into Fred’s house and gets him to take over the Easter deliveries.
Winnie The Pooh (U) Ap r Rio 3D (U) Apr 8 From the people who gave you Ice Age, a new animated adventure comedy as, the last male of the species, domesticated macaw Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) is thrown into the adventure of his life when he’s sent from his smalltown America home to mate with Jewel (Anne Hathaway), the last female of her kind, in tropical Rio de Janeiro. However, it’s not exactly love at first sight for her. She’s an independent free spirit and he’s a bit of a wimp who can’t actually fly!
15
The first big screen adaptation from the original A.A. Milne books in 28 years, Walt Disney returns to the Hundred Acre Wood for new hand drawn style adventure with the beloved bear of very little brain as he and his friends, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo and, Eeyore, who’s lost his tail, set off on a quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit.
BOOKWORM Here’s primar y times latest picks for your bookshelf
FOOD IS FUN
Anorak Press £9.99
If the combination of blue and bright orange in which the book’s printed doesn’t give you a headache, then there’s a fabulous mix of recipes, food facts and plain silliness involving fruit and veg in this cool culinary collection from the publishers of Anorak Magazine, “the happy mag for kids”. Pay a visit to the Citrus Circus to make lemonade, orange cake or grapefruit salad, learn about food in the 40s (fancy a potato carrot pancake for lunch?), discover strange vegetables (what’s a celeriac and how do you eat it!), find out how you get olive oil and make six different types of toast. Fancy going Japanese? Then there’s recipes for your own sushi, maki or yo-roll. How many green foods can you name, who invented the fork? And how can resist a Super Easy Cake A Monkey Could Make! All this and more, make it one of your five a day.
E RECIP MY FAVOURIT
ES
Annabel Karmel. £8.99. DK And here’s even more ideas for things to cook up in the kitchen. Karmel is a firm favourite when it comes to kids’ recipes and here she’s gathered over 50 favourites in a stand-up book of ring-bound flip-over cooking cards. Whether you want to enliven lunch, share a snack, dazzle with dinner or tempt with a tea treat, there’s a recipe here that’s tasty, healthy and easy to make with simple step by step instructions and photos. Divided into Light Bites, Main Meals, Fruity Treats and Cakes and Biscuits, there’s winter warmers like sweetcorn chowder and a spicy lamb tagine or summertime chill outs with fresh fruit ice lollies and easy berry ice cream. Try something different with chicken and apple curry or a corn quesadilla or get into an instant party mood with banana bites rolled in sprinkles. We’re definitely having a go at the no bake chocolate fridge cake
SCIENCE EXPE
RIMENTS
Prof Robert Winston. £14.99 DK Science is an essential part of education, but it’s also a great fun too. And the best way to learn is by trying hands-on experiments. A familiar face from television, Prof Winston’s fun activities range from quick and easy science which you do in seconds to more difficult experiments for school projects, but all of them help children get to grips with the subject, understand the theory behind it and have hours of fun practising for themselves. Divided into five colour-coded sections, the book covers all areas of science, from The Natural World to Forces and Motion with over 85 experiments ranging from launching a bottle rocket or making glow-in-the-dark jelly, to more complicated projects like making a home-made metal detector. Each experiment tells you what you need, how long it should take and how difficult it will be and features clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations to make it easy to follow. There’s also explanations about the science behind each experiment. If messiness is a thrill then Slime Time or Elephant’s Toothpaste are must tries while elsewhere you can build a rubber band drag racer, move metal through ice, charm a paper snake and revive a shrivelled carrot. You can even “extract the DNA of a strawberry and grow your own germs. How cool is that!
20
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
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Inside Birmingham’s most perfect penthouse
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P A PA INC ART LL RT LU IE Y DE S M A EA L! pe r ch
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HAVE A WILD BIRTHDAY PARTY AT DUDLEY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS! ANIMAL CREATURE FEATURES • PARTY INVITATIONS PARTY FOOD & DRINK • CRAFT ACTIVITIES • GOODY BAGS ANIMAL FACE PAINTING • PERSONALISED BIRTHDAY CAKE Meriden Road, Fillongley, Coventry, CV7 8DX Follow us on www.facebook.com/heartpark
Primary Times 135x90 Feb:Layout 1
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www.dudleyzoo.org.uk 01384 215313
Priory School celebrating an impressive ISI Report! – Offering 10 Scholarships for pupils entering year 9 in September 2011. Priory School is a thriving, Catholic, independent school, which welcomes all faiths, situated in 14 acres of landscaped grounds in Edgbaston close to the city centre. Educating boys and girls from 6 months to 16 years in partnership with parents, we provide a caring community with high standards of teaching and learning, enabling all pupils to achieve success. We aim to give every child the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. Excellent standards of teaching and learning, delivered within small classes and developed to meet the needs of each child, ensuring pupils achieve optimum academic success. The introduction of boys in 2007 saw our move to a fully co-educational model at Priory School. Boys and girls are now educated together in all curriculum areas, with the exception of Physical Education. For both girls and boys co-education provides an excellent foundation for the development of realistic, meaningful and lasting relationships and effectively trains young people to take their places naturally in the wider community.
This fully co-educational approach generates a spirit of comradeship, harmonious relationships and a sense of co-operation between both sexes. The recent ISI report described the school as a living example of a very happy multi-cultural society, where the curriculum is excellent and high quality staff who know their pupils extremely well. The report also stated that “the pupils have positive attitudes to learning and involvement in activities. They are eager to participate, are confident in individual, pair and group work, and they take pride in their high standards of presentation.” This impressive report can be read in fully by visiting the school website under the section information for parents. In celebration of our impressive ISI report we are offering 10 scholarships for pupils entering year 9 in September 2011. For more information of how to apply for these scholarships please contact the schools Admissions Registrar on the school number. The 2010 Priory pupils achieve some outstanding GCSE results with 100% of pupils achieving 5 or more grade A* to C and 78% of pupils achieving 5 or more A* - C grade including English and Maths.
Visit the School’s Open Morning on Saturday 12th March or call 0121 440 4103 to arrange a personal tour. For more information visit www.prioryschool.net.
Creating the perfect co-educational environment. The Priory Priority. An independent school developing and supporting the talents of boys and girls from 6 months to 16 years. In celebration of our impressive ISI report, we are awarding 10 scholarships to pupils who will be entering year 9 in September 2011.
Where every child succeeds
For more details or to book a personal tour call 0121 440 4103 or visit www.prioryschool.net
Sir Harry's Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2UR
Priory School
Open Morning Saturday 12th March. 10am -12noon.
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planning If the mere thought of organising a children’s party brings you out in a cold sweat,then read on for some Primary Times ideas to take away the stress. If you haven’t already, it’s a pretty sure bet that at some point over this year, you’ll be planning a children’s party. Of course, you can just have their friends round for cake, squash and some party games, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, if you’re looking for a party with a difference, then there’s plenty of ideas worth considering. And you don’t even have to go through all the stress of arranging it, either.
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O K N C the clown
“THE CLOWN WITH A DIFFERENCE” AT THE PARTY I TURN FROM A MAN INTO A CLOWN IN FRONT OF fiTHEIR ndsEYES
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There’s an Active Party for youngsters including a 40mtr assault course, baby and toddler Explore Parties and Adventure Aerobics for pre-schoolers while, for juniors there’s the Olympics themed fitness games of Kor Kids or, in collaboration with Arabesque School of Dance, the dance led Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Cheerleading parties.
Sandwell For just £10 perValley child, Heart of England, based Riding Centre at their Conference Centre
Bored? just outside Meriden, will alsonot do learn everything for you, Why to ride? including invitations,9-4 an Lessons Everyday activity, food music, party Camps ranger, decorations and, most Own a pony for a day. up importantly, the cleaning afterwards. You just invite the Learn to look after guests and take the cake. For a pony, groom, ride, an extra cost, they’ll even sort feed, tack up. themetoand arrange the Allout youa need party bags. The activities are a know!! bit more than pass the parcel too. There’s kite making,
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There’s more outdoor party fun to be found at Conkers, the National Forest Discovery Centre near Tamworth. For 8 years and over, the Bumble Bees party offers a choice of ranger led activities, either a nature based Scavenger Hunt through the woodlands or a Conkers chase between teams to find the treasure. For under 7s, Bush Babies gives you two hours in the indoor party room with music, fun and games in Billy Bonkers Playhouse.
Animal based parties have become very popular in recent years. And party animals don’t come much wilder than those at Dudley Zoo where kids spend two hours discoveringThursday 4th about the natural world as Sixth Form O they encounter a variety of from 4.30pm furry and not-so-furry friends. Catering for all ages, prices from £7 per child include Saturday 8th craft and play activities, face Whole Scho painting, food, invitations
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birthday gift and zoo admission for the entire day. You can, of course, have the animals come to you, too. Animal Antics will provide an Animal Encounter at your home or venue of your choice with a handson interactive presentation when the kids will have the opportunity to look, touch, hold and learn about a series of Exotic Animals, such as Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches, Giant African Millipedes, Tarantulas, Toads, Lizards, Snakes and even birds of prey. The clown is a great party tradition, but some children are uncertain or even a bit scared of them. However, David Vaughan is a clown with a difference. He’ll arrive at the party as himself and comically transform into Conk The Clown in front of the kids to remove any fear or worries. Then, after clowning fun, he’ll finish the show with some visual magic with which the children can join in. Unfortunately, he can’t make the washing up disappear.
Animal Antics Presents
The Birthday Party they will never forget Also available for school visits Warning: Lots of creepy crawlies Tel. 01902 678320 www.animalantics.net
MAKE YOUR PARTY A PARTY THIS YEAR Bouncy Castles, Slides for all ages for outdoors & indoors Active & Explore Organised Parties 0-5 Years D.J DISCO Parties 0-100 years, plus school disco, christenings & special events
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DAY Tuesday March 8 is Shrove Tuesday. Better known as Pancake Day. Yummy! Historically, pancakes were made to use up the eggs, sugar and butter before the religious period of Lent, when people weren’t supposed to eat them. Today, it’s celebrated regardless of religion. Usually, pancakes are thin and flat, made of batter, fried in a frying pan and then traditionally served with caster sugar and lemon juice sprinkled on the top and the rolled. Some people but chocolate spread, golden syrup or jam on theirs. But this year, why not try something a little different? Here’s a simple recipe for Egyptian Pancakes that you can make yourself – with a little help from a grown up.
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Ingredients: 1 cup plain flour 1 egg 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon of sugar A pinch of salt 1½ teaspoons of baking powder 1-2 tablespoons sunflower oil For the syrup: 2 cups of sugar 1 cup of water squeeze of lemon juice.
Method: Place the flour and egg and half the milk into a bowl and mix until smooth. Add the rest of the milk until the batter pours easily. But don’t make it too watery. Add the sugar and baking powder, and mix again. Let the batter stand for about 20 minutes then give it a final mix. Now ask an adult to help with the cooking. Put the oil in a frying pan and heat until it is very hot. Add a spoonful of batter and rock the pan so that it spreads out. Fry until the batter changes colour and bubbles appear on the top and burst open. Egyptian Pancakes are only fried on one side. They are then left to cool. Egyptian children eat them folded in half, stuffed with nuts or cream and then soaked in sugar syrup. If you are having a filling, place it in the middle of the uncooked side. Then fold the pancake in half and pinch the sides together. To make the syrup put two cups of sugar and one cup of water into a pan and bring to the boil. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Boil for exactly ten minutes and remove from the heat. Be very careful because boiling syrup is very hot. You can eat the pancakes hot, either deep fried (not very healthy!) or brushed lightly with melted butter and baked in an oven for 20-25 minutes, then covered with cold syrup. But they’re best eaten cold soaked in the hot syrup. Happy Pancake Day.
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Enjoy a fun-packed day at the Aviva Grand Prix.
T
he world’s number one indoor athletics event returns to Birmingham’s NIA on 19 February with top athletes jetting in from around the globe and exciting entertainment promised both on and off the track for what is set to be an afternoon of show-stopping action.
Supporting British athletes since 1999
Look out for British sprint star Mark Lewis-Francis as he takes on Jamaican Lerone Clarke in a rematch of 2010’s Commonwealth Games 100m final, where Clarke narrowly took gold ahead of the Birmingham born athlete. Britain’s Heptathlon World Champion Jessica Ennis will also be hoping for some home support as she lines up against World Indoor Champion Lolo Jones of the USA in the 60m hurdles. This incredible incredible event event will will be be packed packed with with fun-filled fun-filled family family activities, activities, This from an an interactive interactive athletics athletics stand stand to to exciting exciting competitions competitions and and from athlete autograph autograph sessions sessions -- all all free free of of charge! charge! You You will will also also be be able able athlete to test your skills on the Alfa Romeo driving simulator, race your to test your skills on the Alfa Romeo driving simulator, race your friends around around the the Aviva UKA running and enter the track Aviva and Hot enter friends Athleticstrack Academy running SeatAviva competition your chance winchance a a variety of prizes. the Hot Seatfor competition fortoyour to win a a variety of Are youAre ready be entertained? prizes. youto ready to be entertained?
Tickets 08000 55 60 56 uka.org.uk ®
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competitions WIN A MOTORWAY SPOTTING BOOK Bored on long motorway journeys? You won’t be if you win one of 5 “fun to spot…on the motorway” children’s books from www.badgerandbullrush.com, worth £6.99 each, a great fun, interactive way to occupy children during car journeys! Involve the whole family with the ‘how many can you spot game’. Whenever you spot one of the items in the book, make a mark in the grid below the picture. There’s plenty of room to spot multiple items and if you fill your grids you can always download free new ones from the website. Favourites include Eddie Stobart trucks and National Express Coaches plus other not-so-easy-to-spot items such as army vehicles and hot air balloons.
To enter, tell us: how much do the books cost? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Spotting, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Mar 18.
WIN A BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 DVD Papi and Chloe, the four-legged stars of Beverly Hills Chihuahua are back for a brand new adventure in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2. Now newlyweds, they’re soon surrounded by the sound of tiny paws, their lives turned upside down with the arrival of five mischievous puppies. And, as if coping with parenthood wasn’t enough, when their owners look like losing their home, the ever loyal Papi, Chloe and their playful pups compete in a dog show in the hope of winning the $50,000 prize. Featuring the voices of Madison Pettis and Zachary Gordon, this dynamic doggies adventure is exclusively available only on Walt Disney DVD with bonus extras that include hilarious bloopers and the music video of This Is My Paradise, by new Disney sensation Bridgit Mendler. In shops from Feb 21, we’ve got 5 copies to be won. Just tell us: how many puppies are there? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Chihuahua, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Mar 11
WIN A DIARY OF A WIMPY KID DVD With clueless parents and a bully brother, short squirt Greg wants to be the cool kid in his new school. Unfortunately, he’s been buddied up with chubby, blissfully unaware Rowley and his attempts to become the class Mr Popularity always backfire. He’s even beaten up by a girl! And when Rowley’s Zoo Wee Mama comic strip makes him the coolest kid instead, then, seeing revenge, a resentful Greg betrays his only friend. Based on the stick figure cartoon books about surviving your school years, it’s very funny with the usual gross gags but, using a slice of mouldy cheese, also has a lot to say about playground cruelty and responsibility. Available now as a DVD and book double pack on Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, we’ve got 5 to be won.
Just tell us: what’s the name of Rowley’s comic strip? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Wimpy, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Feb 28
WIN A DESPICABLE ME DVD Bald, black coated Gru (Steve Carrell) dreams of becoming the World’s Greatest Villain but his plans seem doomed to failure when nerdy nemesis Vector out-villains him and steals the shrink gun he was going to use to steal the moon. But Gru has a plan to get it back, one that involves adopting three cute orphan girls. He just doesn’t reckon on having to play Daddy or how they might unlock his softer side! Packed with great characters that include Russell Brand’s mad scientist, Julie Andrews as Gru’s nagging mom and the irresistible bright yellow cheese puff shaped Minions, it’s massive animated fun for kids and grown ups alike. Despicable Me is available on Universal Pictures DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray from Feb 21 with bonus featurettes, games and 3 new Minion Movies, we’ve got 5 copies to be won.
Just tell us: who is Gru’s nemesis? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Despicable, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Mar 11
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
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competitions WIN DISNEY ON ICE TICKETS Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse and such favourite Disney characters as Baloo, Snow White, Cinderella, Stitch and Buzz Lightyear on a fabulous theme park vacation with Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure. Set in the 1960s, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are having great fun at such famous attractions as Space Mountain, Runaway Mine Train and “it’s a small world,” but it’s no laughing matter when evil fairy Maleficent shows up to spoil the fun. Can The Incredibles save the day! With breathtaking skating, colourful costumes, singalong songs, thrills, spills and plenty of parades, it’ll bring back your Disneyland memories and make you want to go if you haven’t. At the LG Arena from Feb 23-27, tickets cost £35-£13 (booking 0844 338 8000) but we’re giving away 3 family tickets for the opening night. Plus the 1st Prize winner will also be invited to the pre-show party meet and greet!
Enter on line only at www.primarytimes.net/competitions by Mon Feb 21 and tell us: who spoils the fun?
Win A Marmaduke DVD The chaos-causing lovable Great Dane has been a hit in comic strips for 56 years. Now, voiced by Owen Wilson, he’s in his first live action film. When the family moves home to California, Marmaduke finds it hard to fit in with his new neighbours down at the dog park. Although befriended by a bunch of strays, including loyal lovesick Mazie (Emma Stone), he turns his back on them when he tries to get accepted by the dog park’s top clique, the pedigrees, and especially Jezebel, the girlfriend of the bullying pack leader. With lots of falling down, being dragged, canine comedy, big action finale along and a message about friends and family, the 20th Century Fox DVD includes deleted scenes and casting and Cowabarka features. We’ve got 5 DVDs to be won,
just tell us: who is the voice of Marmaduke? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Marmaduke, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Feb 28
oductions LCC © 2009 Terra Pr
WIN A BATTLE FOR TERRA DVD An exotic peaceful planet under threat from humans who want to exploit the natural resources and wipe out the inhabitants, a military pilot who joins forces with a female alien to prevent the destruction? It may sound like it’s copied Avatar, but this animated film was made two years ago and, while it may not be as epic, it’s every bit as good. Captured by teen Terrian Mala, as they become friends flying ace Stanton realises the tadpole-like Terrians aren’t the monsters he was told, but with misunderstandings, betrayals and the discovery of Terra’s secret, as the two races battle it seems only one will survive. Released on UCA DVD on Mar 14, it’s got great action, terrific visuals, and a strong story, and we’ve got 5 copies to be won.
Just tell us: what’s the name of the Terrian teenager? Enter on line at www.primarytimes.net/competitions or send your entry to Terra, Primary Times, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New St, Birmingham B2 4EU by Mar 18.
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FEBRUARY HALF-TERM 2011 ISSUE
FOR THOUSANDS MORE IDEAS VISIT WWW.PRIMARYTIMES.NET
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