The great storyteller himself, Roald Dahl (1916-1990). Courtesy of The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre/ Bremner & Orr.

The Roald Dahl Museum has appointed a writer in residence. Adam Guillain, author of the acclaimed Bella Balistica series of novels for children and a wonderfully talented and dynamic writer and storyteller, according to staff at the museum.

During his six-month residency, until May 2006, Adam will lead a number of initiatives focusing on reluctant readers. He will be working with school groups through local football clubs Aylesbury United and Wycombe Wanderers, with the aim of harnessing the passion that so many children have for football and channelling some of it towards creative writing.

He will be running storytelling workshops at libraries throughout Buckinghamshire and taking part in regular schools sessions. Adam also plans to start researching and writing his next novel during the residency.

“We were particularly drawn to Adam’s lively yet laid back style of communication and loved his Bella Balistica books with their feisty adventurous heroine," said Katy Sullivan, Centre Education Manager. "We feel he really has what it takes to inspire even the most reluctant kids with enthusiasm for reading and writing – which is what the Writer/Illustrator residency programme – and indeed the museum – is all about.”

Adam’s first two Bella Balistica books - Bella Balistica and the Temple of Tikal and Bella Balistica and the Indian Summer, published by Milet - have been embraced by young readers and praised by the press. The next book in the series, Bella Balistica and the African Safari will be published in Spring 2006.

The Writer/Illustrator in Residence programme, partly funded by Arts Council England, was set up to support emerging writers and illustrators, to contribute to the Museum’s aim of inspiring excitement about reading and writing and to establish the Museum as a centre of excellence for the promotion of new writing.