Author Visits

Venues

I live in Norwich and enjoy visiting libraries and schools in Norfolk and Suffolk. I need to think harder about schools and events that are further away.

5-8 year olds (Years 1-3)
A session of about 45 minutes includes:

+ Chatting with the children and reading one or more of my books.
+ Talking about being an author.
+ Unraveling the mystery of how a blank sheet of paper leads to the final book. I use real examples of original manuscripts, proofs and first illustrations.
+ Questions and Answers

With the youngest children I’m happy to read picture books. Alternatively, everyone seems to enjoy the longer humorous fairy tales, published as early chapter books: Cinderella’s Wedding and The Castle Awakes.

I prefer to keep each session to a max of 30 children.

Longer sessions with 4-6 year olds

If you’re looking for an hour’s session for 4-6 year olds, then a session on characters in picture books is fun and gets children to think more deeply about characters in books.

After reading my books and chatting about being an author and how a book is made, we then talk about characters in books - especially bears.

Now it’s time for the children to draw their own bear and decide on characteristics that will make each bear special. There are always some wonderful bears. I adored one child’s yellow, banana shaped bear who would only eat bananas. Another bear, who had no friends, broke my heart.

For the older children I also do more in-depth character sessions on the creature they find at the bottom of a garden. They can be wonderfully inventive.

For more information and rates please click on Contact Me and send an e-mail.
I’m happy to discuss anything. I look forward to hearing from you, Paeony

Under 5’s
Sessions of half an hour seem to work well.

The focus is on enjoyment and storytelling. Although it’s kept simple, I also chat with the children about making a book and being an author. I try to interact with the children as much as possible so they’re not only sitting and listening.

Best books for this age group are I’ll Always Love You, Hurry Up, Birthday and
No More Biscuits.