Author’s latest book inspires gorilla themed fun

Children from nine schools in Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead and Chesham gathered at Berkhamsted Library on Saturday for the Gorilla Dreams prizegiving.

Inspired by Sue Hampton’s 20th book, illustrated by local artist Mary Casserley, the competition encouraged children to get creative.

Sue and Mary were thrilled with the imagination and commitment of entrants and awarded a special top prize to Anna Birch, from Tring’s Bishop Wood School, who sewed her own cushion featuring a gorilla who wanted to make music by playing a banana.

A gorilla has now been adopted with World Wildlife Fund in Anna’s name.

Sue said: “It was a real celebration. My story is about the power of imagination, and at the library on Saturday, surrounded by such bright, enthusiastic young people, I felt it. That’s why I write for children as well as teens and adults. As Mr Eden says in my book, it’s liberating.”

Other prize winners were Emma Ryan, of Thomas Coram, for her story about a ski-jumping gorilla, Freya Mills, of Greenway, for her beaded picture, Will Duling, of Bishop Wood, for his poem, and three Greenway pupils for their models - Sharla and Beatrice for their leafy creation and Nellie Preston Bear for her gorilla king with a banana crown.

Prize winning models were made by Eila Gitsham of Westfield, Mia Wijayatilleke of Thomas Harding School in Chesham and Lewis Markham of Bridgewater.