author & illustrator of children's books
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Writers and illustrators spend far too long in the company of their computer or drawing board, so I love it when I get the chance to escape to the real world for a while and meet some of the children that read my books. I always enjoy doing story tellings, running workshops, or just chatting about my illustrations! Here are some of the things I can do if I visit, with details of what I would need from you:
Storytelling
I could never tire of during the story tellings, we have such fun!
I need a minimum of 45 minutes, but prefer my story tellings to last at least 1 hour, and with 90 minutes we can have even more fun. I can work with single classes, or we can double up if the story telling is in a hall or library.
Given time, the story telling will include 2 different stories. I will illustrate funny animal pictures on the flipchart for the children to guess and keep. We sing songs linked to my illustrations and are generally rather silly. Midway, we break for the children to creat their own illustration of something related to the stories. My story tellings are always lively, noisy and great fun!
My story tellings are suitable for children from 4 - 7 years old.
I need a minimum of 45 minutes, but prefer my story tellings to last at least 1 hour, and with 90 minutes we can have even more fun. I can work with single classes, or we can double up if the story telling is in a hall or library.
Given time, the story telling will include 2 different stories. I will illustrate funny animal pictures on the flipchart for the children to guess and keep. We sing songs linked to my illustrations and are generally rather silly. Midway, we break for the children to creat their own illustration of something related to the stories. My story tellings are always lively, noisy and great fun!
My story tellings are suitable for children from 4 - 7 years old.
Please supply :
- For a story telling, I will need a chair, a table, a flipchart with a full display pad and a black felt pen.
- The children will need coloured pencils, felt tips or crayons and A4 or A3 paper to do their illustrations.
- Children are best seated on the floor, but they will require a non-carpeted surface, clipboards or tables for their drawing break.
- I will bring the books with me. Colouring sheets & puzzles for you to photocopy for the children, can be downloaded from the Funclub section of this site
Illustration Workshops
Illustration workshops need 90 mins - 2 hours. 45 children maximum please.
I talk about what it's like to be a children's book illustrator and explain how an illustrator, author and publisher work together to create a picture book.
During the workshop, we will read one of the stories. I will bring some original illustration artwork and sketched roughs, to show how the illustrations evolve and the children can ask questions. The practical part of the illustration workshop often begins with a brainstorming session to generate illustration ideas. The children then create illustrations of their own on a theme linked to the story we have read.
Suitable for 7 - 14 year olds.
I talk about what it's like to be a children's book illustrator and explain how an illustrator, author and publisher work together to create a picture book.
During the workshop, we will read one of the stories. I will bring some original illustration artwork and sketched roughs, to show how the illustrations evolve and the children can ask questions. The practical part of the illustration workshop often begins with a brainstorming session to generate illustration ideas. The children then create illustrations of their own on a theme linked to the story we have read.
Suitable for 7 - 14 year olds.
Please supply :
- For the presentation part of the workshop, I will need at least 1 large table to display my books, a flipchart with display pad, a black felt pen, blutack and sellotape on a dispenser.
- For their illustrations, the children will need A3 cartridge paper, pencils, rubbers, coloured pencils and sharpeners.
- NB: Please ensure there is sufficient desk space for everyone!
- I will bring the books and anything else I require for the workshop, or to illustrate the discussion.
Writing Workshops
Creative writing workshops are best with 90 mins. 30 children maximum please.
I begin writing workshops by talking about what it's like to be a children's writer & illustrator. I explain how a picture book comes about, how the author works with the illustrator and publisher, and we read and analyse one of the books I have illustrated. For the practical scetion of the workshop, we use group brainstorming and a series of imagination exercises to create characters for the children to write about and ideas for taking their stories in unexpected directions.
I begin writing workshops by talking about what it's like to be a children's writer & illustrator. I explain how a picture book comes about, how the author works with the illustrator and publisher, and we read and analyse one of the books I have illustrated. For the practical scetion of the workshop, we use group brainstorming and a series of imagination exercises to create characters for the children to write about and ideas for taking their stories in unexpected directions.
Please supply :
- For the presentation part of the workshop, I will need a large table to display my books, a flipchart with display pad, a black felt pen and blutack.
- The children will need writing materials and a suitable writing environment.
- I will bring the books and anything else I require for the workshop, or to illustrate the discussion
