Who is David Almond? SKELLIG

WARMING UP

1. Have you ever read a book by David Almond? (Maybe Skellig?)
2. Look at these words from the interview you are about to watch. What do you think they mean? Try to guess!
1. devastated
2. religion
3. rubble
4. imagination
5. isolation

3. Discuss in pairs:

• What do you think inspires writers to create stories?
• Do you think real places influence what they write?

David Almond

About the author

David Almond is a celebrated British children's author renowned for his thought-provoking novels. Born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in the post-industrial North East of England, he discovered his passion for writing early on when his short stories were published in a local magazine. Initially starting his career in adult fiction, he found his true calling in literature for young readers. Almond's debut children's novel, Skellig (1998), received widespread acclaim, winning both the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and the prestigious Carnegie Medal. His notable works, including Kit's Wilderness, Heaven Eyes, and Clay, delve into complex themes such as the interplay between life and death, reality and fiction, and the journey of growing up. Influenced by the poetry of William Blake, Almond's writing resonates with both children and adults. He is a prominent figure on National Curriculum reading lists in the UK and lives in Northumberland with his family. In recognition of his contributions to literature, he received the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 2010.

 

Listening Activity: David Almond Interview

Watch the video and answer the questions in complete sentences.

1. Where did the author David Almond grow up?
2. What is the name of his first and most famous book?
3. What is Skellig about?
4. What is the name of the place in his new book The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean?
5. Why has the place called Blink Bonny been destroyed?
6. What is Billy Dean’s life like at the beginning of the story?
7. What does David Almond say about religion in the book?
8. Why does Billy Dean write with bad spelling or phonetic English?
9. Why did David Almond decide that this book was for adults instead of children?
10. How does David Almond describe the feeling or tone of his next book?

POST-LISTENING A PRE-READING ACTIVITY

1. David Almond says he writes about “light and beauty even in a devastated world.” What do you think this means?
2. Would you like to read The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean? Why or why not?
3. If you wrote a story about your town, what would it be about? Give it a title!

READING AND WRITING

Read the following text and, in your notebook, in the Book Club section, write down the facts that are relevant to his biography.

David Almond, born on May 15, 1951, is a famous British writer. He writes many popular books for children and young adults. His books have won lots of awards and are loved by many readers.

He is one of only 30 children's writers in the world to win the special Hans Christian Andersen Award. This award is given out every two years to a living author for their lasting contribution to children's literature.

In 2007, his very first novel, Skellig (published in 1998), was chosen as one of the top ten books to ever win the British Carnegie Medal. It was voted the third favorite book from that special list.