Pupils help author to literary title

Tom Palmer, whose book D-Day Dog has just been named the Overall Winner of the Children’s Book Award 2020, drew inspiration for his novel by accompanying pupils and staff from Ashville Prep School two years ago on a tour of Normandy’s beaches, battlefields and cemeteries.

In addition to helping with research and editing the book, Tom went as far as to call the pupils, many of whom are now in Year 9 at Ashville, his “co-authors”, saying without their help he would not have won the award.

The pupils were presented with a copy of the book to add to their Year 9 library.

The book centres on a boy called Jack, who is looking forward to his own school trip to the D-Day landing beaches. However, when his father, a reserve soldier, is called up to action, Jack’s life starts to fall apart and everything he believes about war is thrown into question.

Finding comfort only in his dog, Finn, Jack is drawn to the true story of one D-Day paratrooper, Emile Corteil, who parachuted into France with his dog, Glen. And Jack wants to discover their fate.

Tom’s first encounter with Ashville’s Prep School came in the Spring of 2018, as guest author at Harrogate International Festivals’ Big Write event at the town’s Royal Hall.

A month later, the acclaimed writer of three Puffin football children’s series, Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad, led the first of two workshops with Year 6 pupils ahead of their trip to Normandy.

Pupils were asked to research a soldier buried at Ranville Cemetery, which is what led Tom to Pte Corteil, who was killed on D-Day, as was Glen.

During the visit to Normandy, Tom talked through ideas about the book with the boys and girls, helped collect seashells on the beaches with them, and asked the youngsters to come up with a name for Jack’s dog.

The Children’s Book Award, which is organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, is the only national award voted for solely by children from start to finish. It is highly regarded by parents, teachers, librarians, publishers and children’s authors and illustrators.

After winning the title, Tom contacted the School to thank the staff and pupils for their invaluable support.

He said: “I am so grateful to the staff and pupils of Ashville College. Their input was invaluable. Without them I wouldn’t have found Emile Corteil and Glen.

“I studied the children’s reactions at the landing beaches and at the memorials which was incredibly helpful. They helped plot the story, they helped edit it and I’d actually call them my co-authors. It became a better book because of their involvement.”

Tom added: “If they’d not taken me on their school trip to Normandy to find out about D-Day and not given me such excellent feedback, I’d not have won this prize, which is – so far – the highlight of my career. So thank you!”

Ashville’s Head of Prep School, Simon Asker, said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Tom on him winning best Children’s Book Award.

“We are also delighted that our pupils played a significant part in his success and humbled that he took the time to contact us and to thank us.

“During his time in Normandy and back in the classroom at Ashville, Tom used the pupils as sounding boards. It’s very gratifying that he took their comments fully on board and the result – a best-selling children’s book that has now won a coveted award!”