She has also served (or serves) as a board member or Chair for numerous organizations, including Women for Women International, the Jane Goodall Institute, A Blade of Grass, Culture Project, Free the Children, and Video Volunteers.

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Mick Inkpen, Adam Blade and Jeff Kinney - of the Wimpy Kid diaries - were among the other high-performing children's authors.

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Small children sometimes stop to talk to the crew and watch them work, especially if the hopper blade is making a lot of grinding and crunching noises while it pulverizes something big, like a stove or a couch.

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Inside a three-level building there would be a vast oasis dedicated to arid climate - or "Blade Runner territory" - and beneath would be chambers with displays whose designers will include musician Peter Gabriel and children's author Philip Pullman.

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