Enjoying a 'free holiday' in Nepal during a visit from writer Jane Wilson-Howarth

Year 7 students and staff were treated to a journey to the foothills of the Himalayas this week during a visit from writer Jane Wilson-Howarth. Jane lived in Nepal for six years and has used her experiences there as the inspiration for her gripping young adult adventure novel Himalayan Kidnap. Jane told students that, being dyslexic, she didn't enjoy writing when she was at school. It was only when she moved to Nepal that she was inspired to start writing books because she found it such a fascinating place.

When reading her book, Jane wants her readers to imagine themselves in Nepal where, she explains, adventures are to be had wherever you go. Listening to her read extracts from Himalayan Kidnap, our students were transported to Nepal by the vivid descriptions of the exotic jungle wildlife and the rich sights, sounds and smells of the country.

As a zoologist and travel writer, Jane is keen for her readers to learn more about Nepali wildlife, culture and about the planet as a whole. Here are a few of the things we learned during Jane's visit:

You don't want to meet a yak on a narrow Himalayan path, they have been known to push people off mountains!

In Nepal, it is rude to point with your finger. Nepalis point by pouting their lips.

Mugger crocodiles can grow up to three metres long. Don't swim in their ponds, it's not good for your health!

Although Nepal is often referred to as 'the only Hindu kingdom of the world', other religions, including Buddhism, are represented here. People of different religions are very tolerant of each other in Nepal.

A big thank you to Jane for sharing so many of her adventures with us. Here are what our Year 7 students had to say:

I think the author was amazing. The best bits were when she read extracts from Himalayan Kidnap. Listening to her life in Nepal was fascinating. Alex H.

I liked it because the author had lots of detail in everything she said. I also think she likes travelling like I do! Lucia L-T.

I liked it when the author read the part about the two boys trying to cross the river. She made it realistic, for example, about the crocodile spinning the boy round in the water.
Hanif M.

I think her books seem interesting. Also, I think the author is a good inspiration to people.
Maddie P-M.