TV INTERVIEW – EDITORIAL – REVIEWS – NEWS ALERTS

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LONDON LIVE NEWS 

27th February 2017

Interview on Dress like Beatrice and the London Bus WBD 2017 comp on 

 

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“Will you Dress Like a London Bus?”

The Times-Series

The Guardian-Series

This is Local London

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ICI – EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 26th Feb, 2017

London

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Londonita – 20th of Feb, 2016

Incontra l’autrice di Beatrice and the London Bus all’ Italian Institute of Culture, 26 Febbraio 3-4pm e vinci meravigliosi premi – Coca-Cola London Eye, KidZania, The Classic Tour

London Mums magazine – Online article – October 2016

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The Weekender Magazine, Southwark News, October 15, 2016

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London Mums Magazine, October Issue, 2016

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LONDONITA

A spasso per Londra con Beatrice and the London Bus

durante il weekend di Halloween.

Largest website about all things London for the Italian tourist market.
(250.000 unique impression per month)
Click here to read the full article

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Sponsor of one of the competition’s prizes, October 2016

Southwark Press, My WEEKENDER (70.000 copies)

“BUS BOOK ARRIVES WITH DAY OUT COMPETITION'”

 

MY WEEKENDEr ARTICLE

Top Ten Children’s books about London

London Mums Magazine review

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  1. PARENTS IN TOUCH REVIEW, 2015

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Testimonial-on-Beatrice-and-the-London-Bus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“In a bid to encourage pupils in schools to engage more with both reading and exploring the capital, the fancy dress competition has been launched by the London Meets Its Children educational project.” The Guardian-Series
  1. “Bus book arrives with day out competition –  A tribute to London and its transport heritage, Beatrice and the London Bus books aim to help youngsters learn about self-acceptance while overcoming obstacles, embracing their imagination, learning about the world of the grown-ups, about city heritage and  history in a fun and entertaining way” Laura Kate Burgoine – THE WEEKENDER LIFE magazine/ Southwark News
  2. ” The series is excellent – a great way to teach children about our wonderful capital city, and really enjoyable stories too. A really imaginative story that encourages us all to hold on to our dreams.  Beatrice is a lovely character and she takes such pleasure in her exploration of London, that she will enthuse others too” Parents in touch.co.uk
  4. ‘We’re thrilled that the Coca-Cola London Eye has been included amongst Beatrice’s travels!  This is a great book for getting children engaged with our wonderful city.’ Coca- Cola London Eye on Beatrice and the London Bus book series and drawing competition. Sponsor of one of the competition’s prizes October 2016.

 

  2. Top ten Children’s Books about London” In the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland it’s great to see another child heroine taking on a traditionally male task. She shows personality and determination, hence she is setting an example for young girls.” London Mums Magazine
  4. ‘Such a delightful and inspiring story about a girl who’s dreams are not defined by traditional gender roles! Something to take in for readers of all ages. Fortunately for The Classic Tour there’s more than 1 Routemaster left in the world!’ The Classic Tour on Beatrice and the London Bus Books
    ‘
  5. “This is just brilliant! When I was eleven, for me happiness was sitting at the front of the top deck on a double-decker bus … Beatrice’s bus! You can see forever!! We will be so very happy and proud to welcome Beatrice to KidZania London – after all, it takes someone special to drive a bus!” Dr Ger Grauss, OBE, Director of Education and Partnership of KidZania and Founder of the Children’s University (CU Trust & CU Trading). Sponsor of one of the Beatrice and the London Bus competition’s prizes, October 2016
  6. “A great day was had by the staff and children! It was a wonderful experience to witness the children at KidZania taking on a variety of roles within different professions and using their imagination.!  Katie Hoyle Class Teacher Crampton School  on Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competition prize-day out.
  8. ” What a great trip! The views across London from the capsule of the London Eye was just amazing. The staff were listening to the children trying to find and identify the different landmarks that feature in ‘Beatrice and the London Bus’ and the other stories.”  Tasha Taylor Class Teacher  Crampton School  on Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competition and  London Eye Prize prize.
  10. “The children were very excited to go on the bus today. They learnt a lot about London landmarks. Some of the children are not aware that they even live in London. We will have a writing opportunity from this amazing trip today.” Kate – Teacher St. John’s Primary School on Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competition and on the Classic Tour Prize. 
  11. “We really enjoyed visiting the London Transport Museum. The workshop was interesting and we liked learning about the first black London Bus driver. Many Thanks for a great prize!” Archbishop Sumner School  on Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competition and on the London Transport museum prize
    “When I was a child, my grandparents would take me and my brother all over London on the double-decker buses. We always sat on the top deck, we often pretended we were driving, and we loved to talk about what it would be like to be a bus driver… and this heart-warming book magically brings all that back. Too often children are told to shut up and be realistic, just like poor Beatrice ;-( But this book, like a big red friendly bus, drives right over that daft idea and, in a madcap adventure around London, encourages its readers to believe in their dreams instead.” James Wallman, Journalist and Author of ‘Stuffocation; Living more with less’ published by Penguin Books.
  13. “Many thanks Francesca for coming into Archbishop Sumner Primary School to share your book with us.The children really enjoyed the fact that the story was set in London and could really relate to the setting and characters alike. The activity was inspiring and the children loved having the opportunity to become illustrators for the day. They wanted this to continue beyond the morning and took a lot of pride in their pictures. We enjoyed meeting all who were involved and would welcome them back into our school at any time.” Archbishop Sumner Primary School – Lambeth
  14. “Wonderful, Francesca really got his passion on the pages.  He will now start enjoying a story then just hearing a book” Taneesha Dixon A mum on Book event at The Travelling Through Bookshop. 
  15. ‘The event went very well and the children very much enjoyed Francesca’s book reading but also drawing and colouring the Beatrice and the London Bus books’ Canada Water Library –  Beatrice and the London Bus book event.
    ”I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, witty, charming story of an inquisitive child who dreams of being a bus driver. Plenty of humorous and original characters. A great homage to London.” Edward Canfor-Dumas – Author of ‘The Buddha, Geoff and Me’ and award-winning TV scriptwriter
    ”The lively story of Beatrice and her bus friend is sure to warm hearts.” Philip Lymbery – Author of Farmageddon and CEO of CIWF.
  18. ‘Keep Writing, believe in yourself – you can’t fail. Anthony Horowitz @AnthonyHorowitz 13 Jul 2013 @Band168vW on the writing of Beatrice and the London Bus
    “A wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming book which is suitable for all ages’‘ Julia Stepehnson, Journalist (Telegraph – Daily Mail) and author of ‘Letting go of the Glitz’.

    THE KIDS REVIEWS!
  20. “I really enjoyed meeting a real life author called Francesca. She wrote London Books. My favourite thing was colouring and drawing and the story  she read was very nice’ Tshai St. John’s Primary School.
  21. “I thought the books were fun and exciting. I loved drawing London!!’ Samara St. John’s Primary School
    “My favourite part today when we we got to listen to the story which was really fun and the drawing. I enjoyed it so much. Thank you” St. John’s Primary  School
  22. “My favorite thing about today was meeting a real author francesca Lombardo. It was so nice to meet her” (no name!) Oliver Goldsmith School
    “Today was fantastic, I learnt so much about buses. I loved how she did the presentation. I loved how she was talking about her life and how she loves buses. I love all your books”
    Bethany – St. Paul’s School
  23. Thank you Francesca, the book reading was so lovely and I didn’t know things about  London buses. Make more children like your nice best books in your life!’ 
    Selena St. Paul’s School 
  24. “I really liked this book, it is a good example to encourage others to use their imagination during writing. I think this book is AWESOME! 
    Malachi Crampton School 
  25. ”I really liked it here and I really like to come back here! ” 
    Shaima – Oliver Goldsmith on Book event at the Peckham library
  26. “Today was fantastic, I learnt so much about buses. I loved how she did the presentation. I loved how she was talking about her life and how she loves buses. I love all your books”
    Bethany – St. John’s Catholic School
    ”I really liked it here and I really like to come back here! ”

 

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News Alerts: 10-21 October 2016 –   Francesca Lombardo, responds to Mayor Khan call #londonIsOpen campaign with  her book series sister educational project “London Meets its children” , assigning top educational prizes worth thousands of pounds to 120 inner-city children thanks to the support of  major  kids brands:  Coca Cola London Eye, The London Transport Museum, KidZania,  The Classic Tour.
News Alerts: 2 October – Coca Cola London Eye, KidZania, The Classic Tour and the London Transport Museum partner with Daily Fairy Tales by offering top educational prizes to the winning schools of the Beatrice and the London Bus drawing Comp, part of LONDON MEETS ITS CHILDREN educational project. 

 

News Alerts:  27 October – Francesca Lombardo present her book series and ran the drawing workshop with Lambeth children at the TIME OUT south London award winning bookshop:  Travelling Through bookshop. 

 

   News Alert: 15th of October 2016 – The London Transport Museum gift shop starts selling the Beatrice and the London Bus    book series
   News Alerts: 25 September – Daily Fairy Tales adds another Foyles bookshop to its London Distribution: Foyles Waterloo and   another bookstore from the Waterstones branch: Waterstones Clapham. 
   News Alerts: 26 September – Daily Fairy Tales announces the winners of the first London Borough to have taken part to the    London Meets its children project and Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competitions and assign the prizes of the Comp   to four inner-city London Schools
  1.  News Alerts: 14th September –  Daily Fairy Tales and Francesca Lombardo meets the Mayor of London’s and LGA’s educational team about the London Meets its children project in relation to the London Curriculum 
  3. News Alerts: 10th of May – Beatrice and the London Bus is now available to be reserved for free in 12 SOUTHARK LIBRARIES (London)
  News Alerts: 30th of May 2016. A new shop for Beatrice and the London Bus! GIFT OF LONDON by the Tower of London      will soon be stocking Beatrice and the London Bus book series and its spin offs: The London Map, The London Map colouring   book, The London Map booklet, the London Map stickers and T-shirts!
  News Alerts: 19th of May, 2016 Beatrice and the London Bus available from WATERSTONES – TRAFALGAR   SQUARE (London)
  1. News Alerts:  15th of May 2016, Beatrice and the London Bus is now available from – FOYLES – ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL. (London)
News Alerts: 5th of May 2016 –New Mayor of London’s dad was a BUS DRIVER!!  Beatrice’s dream job and dream N.1 in her DREAM LIST (Vol 1 – pag. 21)
News Alerts: 5th of April – 2016  PARENTS IN TOUCH.co.uk requests the book series for their book review section.
    3. News Alerts: 5th of
    4. May –
    8. Beatrice and the London Bus is featured as book of the MONTH in the MAY Newsletter of LONDON MUMS MAGAZINE.
  6. News Alerts: 5th of May 2016 – 
  7.  Brick Lane Book Shop first book in London to stockBeatrice and the London Bus book series and the London Map colouring book!
  • News Alert: 22nd April 2016 –  Southwark Councils places an order with Askews to stock  Beatrice and the London Bus book series making it available to be reserved for free in 7 Southwark libraries.
  2. News Alerts: 23rd of April 2016 – Canada Water library- Daily Fairy Tales wraps up the SOUTHWARK BOOK TOUR AND DRAWING COMP with  a COLOURING EVENT at Canada Water: Colour London with Beatrice and the London Bus
  1. News Alerts: 15th of April 2016
  2.   – 
  4. Interview with the author about the Beatrice and the London Bus drawing competition and the southwark book tour is featured on My Weekender (70.000 copies)
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  3. News Alerts: 15-23 April 2016   Author Francesca Lombardo meets 560 kids from Lambeth and Southwark Schools (Archbishop Sumner, St. Paul Catholic, Crampton School, St. James the Great, Camelot School, St. John’s Catholic School, Goldsmith Oliver, Heber Schools, St. Anthony’s School and three Peckham libraries – Canada Water, Peckham Library, Dulwich Libraries for the Beatrice and the London Bus Southwark Book Tour and Drawing Competition 2016
  2. News Alerts: 5-6 April 2016 – Daily Fairy Tales is the official sponsors of the
  3. BEATRICE AND THE LONDON BUS DRAWING Competition, which will see the author delivering book events, drawing workshops to children from schools and libraries of the busiest London boroughs till the end of 2106, when the winning team (class) for the school and library category is announced.
  5. The prize is a day out in London for the winning team and a monetary prize (tbc) for the winning school and library.
  1.  News Alerts: 15th of April, 2016 Daily Fairy Tales titles are available for ordering in the UK through  Gardners Books and Bertrams. .
  1.  News Alerts: 3-5 April, 2016 –  Beatrice and the London Bus attends the Bologna’s children books fair.
  1. News Alert: 27th of February 2016 – Author Francesca Lombardo presents her children’s book series at Tower Hamlets Library – IDEA STORE TOWER HAMLETS, Watney Market.
News Alerts: 18th of April 2016  –  Daily Fairy Tales partners with top end TOUR Company – BIG CITY – SMALL CARDS and makes Beatrice and the London Bus books and its spin offs (the London Map, the London Map Colouring Books and the London Stickers) the official product for their “kids tours and treasure hunts”
News Alerts: December 2016 – 5 stars hotel – The Grand Trafalgar Square in Northumberland avenue is the first London hotel to include the Beatrice and the London Bus book series and London Map as part their children’s gift bag for the  hotel’s guests.
  1. News Alerts: February 2015  – Beatrice and the London Bus partners with  Londonita – largest online Italian platform about London events arts and launches online editorial column BEATRICE’s COLUMN, where the main characters of the book series talks about London for children.

 

”…. We very much enjoyed your story idea and we really appreciate your enthusiasm and passion for London….”  We wish the very best of success to this wonderful story” MAYOR OF LONDON – CULTURE TEAM
***
”As a true-born Londoner and lover of this city, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, witty and charming story of a child who strives to pursue her dream of being a London bus driver. Plenty of humorous and fun characters. A great homage to London.” EDWARD CAMFOR – DUMAS – Author of The Buddha, Geoff and Me published by and award-winning TV scriptwriter
*** 
Not your typical children’s book. Beatrice and the London Bus is about Life’ Dave – A Resident of the Streets of London.
“A wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming book which is suitable for all ages”  JULIA STEPENSHON, Author of Letting go of the Glitz and Journalist
(Telegraph -Daily Mail)
–
”The lively story of Beatrice and her bus friend is sure to warm hearts.”
 “This is a charming and heartfelt book about a young girl and her passion for buses. I think kids will enjoy it for the level of imagination infused throughout the story and for its message that if you dare to dream you may just achieve your goals. Beatrice’s friendship with 168 via Waterloo and with a shy boy called Mark, encourages children to see people for who they are, rather than for what they have or how popular they are. Great illustrations too!”
PHILIP LYMBERY – Author of Farmageddon – CEO of CIWF
***
“When I was a child, my grandparents would take me and my brother all over London on the double-decker buses. We always sat on the top deck, we often pretended we were driving, and we loved to talk about what it would be like to be a bus driver… and this heart-warming book magically brings all that back. Too often children are told to shut up and be realistic, just like poor Beatrice ;-( But this book, like a big red friendly bus, drives right over that daft idea and, in a madcap adventure around London, encourages its readers to believe in their dreams instead.”
James Wallman, Journalist and Author of
‘Stuffocation; Living more with less’
****
‘Keep Writing, believe in yourself – you can’t fail. Anthony Horowitz @AnthonyHorowitz 13 Jul 2013 @Band168vW – Author of the Diamond Brothers and Alex Rider, on the writing of Beatrice and the London Bus
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Customer Review: Amazon UK
A positive book for children
By Danielle – 15 Jan. 2015
There are many books written for children that are focused solely around the entertainment value. However, this book far surpasses what any parent could want for their child regarding a fun and pleasurable storyline. Beatrice and the London Bus teaches children the beauty of dreaming and encourages them to not just look at who they are today, but who they can one day become. Many parents, whether purposely of not, tend to limit their children in one way or another with respect to fulfilling their dreams, but this story will give any child a sense of hope in becoming anything they want to be and that they can achieve any amount of greatness they desire.
***
Customer Review
Action girl for the modern world
 By peter on 15 Jan. 2015
Great book to remind us all to dream our dreams, adventure is not just where we travel to but how we start our days in whichever city we find ourselves living in. hopes will stay just that unless we all take actions, Beatrice is an action girl for the modem world.The story is for children and adults of all ages.
***
Customer Review: Amazon UK
The perfect addition to every child’s book collection!
By Arleen Watson – 15 Jan 2015
This is an enchanting and delightful story about a young girl who wants to drive a Routemaster bus – 168 via Waterloo through London. She doesn’t only want to drive the bus, but she wants to see the sights, learn about culture and people and simply embark upon a “once in a lifetime” journey. So many people are afraid to dream, but Beatrice reignites the desire to dream for each person finding themselves turning the pages of this great read.
***
Customer Review: Amazon UK
A veritable mental eye opener pleasure to make your acquaintance …
By Rock Rambler on 18 Jan. 2015
A veritable mental eye opener pleasure to make your acquaintance Beatrice,and your personality replete, Tiramisu loving BF; Bus No.168 via Waterloo.Dedicated to all twinkle eyed little and ‘big’ people with dreams and aspirations no matter how outlandish they may sound to ‘normal’ people A bit of imagination never killed anyone in fact it might just save your life . Whilst primarily a book for children, it appeals to the inner ‘child’ in all of us before we somehow become indoctrinated into ‘the way life just is’. I for one will never look at a London Bus in the same light again , nor a red telephone box to name another ; Let’s just look at them as transporters on whatever level one wishes to engage with them on ; mundane , celestial or parallel Universe :).There but for the fertile imagination of Beatrice enriched B& W to neon colour go us all ….See you en Routemaster @ juicy sequels to come into a secret magic world .. Please be sure to bring your magic glasses as you board the Party Tour Bus.
***
Customer Review; Amazon UK
Great reading for children!
By James Bedford – 24 Dec. 2014
I first came across this book while babysitting my Grandchildren. I didn’t like the fact that they were just sitting watching the television all the time. Far too many children sit in front of the TVtele these days, glued to the children’s programs. A friend recommended this book to me and as I read it I knew that this story was just perfect for my grandchildren. The story centres on a lovely young girl in London and like many young girls her age she is just wanting some fun and excitement in her life. She dreams of being a London bus driver, but not just any old bus driver, she wants to drive the 168 via Waterloo Routemaster bus through London. Her journey takes in all the wonderful sites that this historic, yet modern city has available and turns into a very pleasant tale about a young schoolgirl’s dreams and adventures in London with her Routemaster bus. So all in all, I found it a great, very educational and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get children involved in reading or who wants to spend some time with their children or grandchildren.
***
Customer Review: Amazon UK
A must have 
By Hiren K. Kothari – 18 December 2015 
Having seen the author go through this remarkable journey in publishing this wonderful gem of a book, not only would I recommend it, I would urge your child to embrace on this eclectic story.
***
Customer Review: Amazon UK
Lovely book, really pleased.
By Rosy Milazzo – 13 Jan. 2015
It is not only for children but also for grown-ups! Beautiful illustrations too!
***
Customer Review: Amazon UK
Great fun. My niece and nephew love this book 
By Mia Porter – 13 Jan. 2015 Format: Paperback
Charming, entirely original, and great fun. My niece and nephew love this book!
***
Customer Review: Amazon IT
Divertentissimo! Consiglio questo libro a tutti!
Di Rita Marcangelo – il 3 gennaio 2015
Ho comprato questo libro per le mie bambine a Natale. Che piacevole sopresa la storia di questa bambina che sogna di diventare una conducente di bus. Ambientato nella Londra dei nostri giorni, il libro è divertentissimo per piccoli e grandi, ironico con situazioni piene di fantasia e tanti personaggi intelligenti e particolari, ma e’ anche molto istruttivo perchè insegna ai bambini a non arrendersi mai difronte alle avversità, a perseguire i propri sogni e a superare gli ostacoli che anche i più piccoli possono affrontare nella vita. Personaggi pieni di verve come il Bus Parlante, Lunedi, la Mappa della Gran Bretagna, Mr Cecco, Mark e ovviamente Beatrice sono indimenticabili. Lo vedrei anche come un film. Lo consiglio a tutti.