I am already booked for World Book Day 2010 but have other dates left in and around that week.
Sessions are designed to be fun, informative and interactive - leaving the children enthused and excited about books, reading, writing and telling stories…
If you're thinking of arranging a visit, please get in touch as early as possible...
Bookings are already being being taken for winter 2009 and into 2010.
Session Type 1 - General Session (the most popular)
A lively mixture of storytelling and chat, suitable for children from reception - year six.
For these sessions I prefer to work with one or two classes at a time (or a whole year group) as I find this makes the children feel less self conscious, more relaxed and happier to take get involved and ask lots of questions - these sessions are also suitable for fesitvals.
As well as sharing stories and poems I talk about different aspects of writing - from getting ideas to what it's like being a writer. Audiences get the chance to see books and stories in progress and get an idea of the sort of things that go into making a children's book - The drafting, editing, reworking - even the illustrations and layout.
These sessions are not rigidly planned so it allows each one to be unique to the group I'm working with and ensures the children get as much from the sessions as possible. Children (and adults) always have lots of questions to ask and I'm more than happy to answer any questions. I find that this helps to shape the way sessions progress, making each one different and interesting to the individual.
If you have a school assembly I am more than happy to get things started there by introducing myself to the whole school and telling a lively, humorous story. This is a great way of getting the day started and really gets the children looking forward to the sessions to follow.
Although I do not get the children to do any writing in these sessions, teachers (and children) often tell me that they feel fired up to go and do some writing afterwards.
I also bring a selection of books with me so that childen can buy a book to have signed at the end of the day.
Length of session -20 minutes Nursery - 45 minutes to an hour for other year groups.
Materials - Non required.
Location - A Classroom, Library or Suitable Hall
NEW
ROBO-RUNNERS
sessions for larger groups aged 7+
contact me for further details...
NEW
Robin Hood
themed sessions now available.
Suitable for KS1
contact me for further details...
Session Type 2 - Robo-runners
A lively session based around my Robo-runners series of books aimed at larger audiences - suitable for children in Key Stage 2 (or more able Key Stage 1).
This session works well with Key Stage 2 as a whole - or split into two groups for larger schools... years 3 & 4 then 5 & 6.
This is a lively interactive session that includes;
Talk about writing and being a writer
(getting ideas, plotting, and creating characters and settings etc.)
An interactive quiz
Readings from the books
Questions and Answers
Book sale and signings
Length of session -45 minutes to an hour. (with extra time for book sales and signings)
I bring books with me so there's no need for schools to sort this out themselves.
Materials - A table to display books.
Location - A Suitable Hall (or spacious library)
*This can be followed with a robo-roborunners creative writing session
Session Type 3 - Writing Workshops
After a performance session I am happy to do writing workshops with children from Reception to Year 6. (Obviously the format of these sessions varies greatly depending on the year group.)
With younger groups we will write a story/poem together as a class.
With older/more able year groups the children do writing for themselves.
With older year groups I generally focus on getting an idea, creating characters and getting started with the story but touch on many other things as well.
Writing sessions can be be based on my own books (though this is not necesary) - Robo-runners for KS 2 or Tales of Robin Hood (and others) for KS 1
Length of Session -45 minutes minimum - up to half a day (or longer if required).
Materials - A whiteboard or flipchart and appropriate pens.
(I can also use an interactive whiteboard if under supervision)
Location - A Classroom
Number of Children - Normal class size
A typical day in school could be set out something like this
9.00 - 9.30 Whole School Assembly
9.40 - 10.30 Session 1 Year 1 & 2 in the hall
10.45 - 11.45 Session 2 Reception in their classroom (hall left clear for dinner)
12.00 - 13.00 Dinner
13.10 - 14.10 Session 3 - Years 3 and 4 in the hall
14.15 - 15.15 Session 4 - Years 5 and 6 in the hall
This is just a sample - I'm sure you have your ownsuggestions and I'm very flexible.
Feel free to contact me without obligation for further details
Telephone 0798 66 56 876.
You can use these mini posters to advertise visits to your school/library or just for decoration
If you would like larger posters or other publicity material please let me know and I will arrange to have them sent to your school
Click here for an A4 size poster number 2 (pdf)
Click here for an A4 size poster number 4(pdf)
Click here for an A4 size poster number 3(pdf)
Click here for an A4 author profile sheet with book covers (WORD)
"Thanks for a great day last Thursday, at Padiham Primary School. Children and Staff loved it! In fact, they’re still talking about it. It has certainly inspired us as a school to do more events like this in the future." F Billam Padiham Primary School, Lancashire
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for coming to see us on Friday. I know that the children (and staff!) got so much out of the sessions. The stories were really entertaining and fun and kept even my most challenging child gripped!" L Towle, Merridale Primary School, Wolverhampton.
"The Children and staff all found your visit interesting and amusing, we all enjoyed the funny stories! It inspired the children and they created some fantastic pieces of writing. An excellent visit, thank you." C Addison, Our Lady & St Gerard's RCP, Preston.
"Your visit motivated and inspired children and staff, it was a very rewarding experience! I would strongly recommend you to any other schools." Dearham Primary School ~ Cumbria
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Some of the schools and libraries I've visited include...
Heath Mount Pre Prep - Watton at Stone, Heathfield, Rishworth School - Rishworth, Hesketh with Becconsall All Saints, Seacroft Grange Primary - Leeds, Christ Church Primary - Bilston, West Midlands, Brookhurst Primary School - Bromborough, Our Lady of Assumption - Belle Vale, Liverpool, Thornton in Craven Community Primary School, Manor Beach Primary School - Cleveleys, Glebe School - Whitley Bay, Sacred Heart CP School - Oldham, St Cuthberts C of E Primary School - Halsall, Copull Parish Primary School, Copull - Chorley, Somersham Primary School, Cambridgeshire, Wingrove Primary School (Newcastle), St Patricks RC Primary (Southport), St Edwards RC Primary (Darwin), Dulwich Village CE Infants (Dulwich), Merridale Primary School (Wolverhampton), St John's RC Primary School (Skelmersdale), Shooters Grove Primary School (Sheffield), Margaret McMillan Primary School (Bradford), Tower View Primary School - Burton-on-Trent, St Mary's First School - Westmoors, Dorset, Morton Trentside Primary School - Gainsborough, Overdale Primary School - Kirkby, Knowsley, Greengate Junior School - Barrow-in-Furness, Bradley Primary School - Nelson, Kingsfold Primary School - Penwortham, Our Lady & St Gerrard's RC Primary - Preston, St Chad's CE Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde, Ysgol Capalulo - Dwygyfylchi, Conwy, St Hilda's C.E. Primary School (Oldham), Maryport Infant School (Cumbria), Sailsbury Primary School (Blackburn, Lancs), Seymour Park Primary School ( Manchester), Bawtry Mayflower Primary School (Bawtry, Doncaster), Ash Grove Primary School (Macclesfield), Heyhouses Primary School (St Annes - Lancashire), Fensiclowels Primary School (Blackburn), Deer Park Primary School (Chesterfield), Grimsargh Primary School (Grimsargh - Preston), Keelby Primary School (Keelby - Grimsby), Kirkham Grammar Junior School (Kirkham - Lancashire), Newport Libraries (Newport - South Wales), Sacred Heart RC Primary School (Church - Accrington), Middleton Primary School (Peterborough - Cambridgeshire), St John's CE Priamry School (Accrington), Sudell Primary School (Darwin), Sunning Hill Primary School (Bolton), Camelot Primary School (Peckham - London), Bacup Library (Bacup - Lancashire), The Harris Library (Preston - Lancashire), Manor Fields Primary School (Bishops Stortford - Hertfordshire), Mill Lane Primary School (Chinnor - Oxfordshire), Dearham Primary School (Dearham - Cumbria), Anchorsholme Primary School (Blackpool),
Lancashire Libraries ~ "Shout About Books" Children's Literature Festival
Glasgow ~ "Aye Write" Book Festival
