School Talks

I am happy to drive within a 50 miles radius of Stafford. For schools in London, I will travel by train.

I offer several talks/workshops and all include time for the children to ask questions.

I am always happy to discuss and adapt the format of the talks/workshops with teachers so that I can provide a relevant and enjoyable time for the school.

I suggest that the children read at least one of my books prior to my visit. I should like
my books to be available for sale after the talk. (Local bookshops are usually happy to
supply on a sale or return basis or I will bring some along.) Taking home a signed book
is one of the highlights of the day for a child but where this is not possible, libraries are
very helpful in supplying the books for them to borrow.

Putting on disguises with Damian Drooth at North of England Childrens Book Festival

How to be a Detective
Years 3 - 5
Numbers - up to 3 classes

In addition to readings from 'How to be a Detective' and 'Kids on the Run', this talk is interactive and some children will have the opportunity to become detectives and put on disguises. Others may be chosen to try and find the secret compartment in a large black holdall where stolen diamonds are hidden.

How a Book is Made
Years 4- 6
Numbers - single classes only

Following the progress of a book from inspiration to publication. I will bring along original manuscripts, art work, contracts, proofs from my books to bring alive the experience of writing a book. This talk will be interactive as pupils prepare their own 'book' for publication. Teachers might like to use this as an opportunity to focus on the children's written work and it could be used in conjunction with a story pupils have written themselves.

Damian Drooth - Gruesome Ghosts
Years 3-4
Numbers - up to 3 classes.

The latest Damian romp gives lots of scope for a fun event. The talk is, as ever, interactive and open to discussion. After an introductory reading from the book, the children will have the opportunity to take part in a TV style quiz, using their skills of recall. The Q&A session afterwards brings insight into the world of publishing and how books are made and even how authors are paid! If time allows, the children can even put on Damian's own disguises. Will their classmates recognise them?

Dangerous Diamonds
Years 5-7

Children always enjoy learning where an idea for a book came from. Once I've let them into the secret of how I came to write DANGEROUS DIAMONDS, I will read the cliff-hanger first chapter of the book and the children can guess how the story moves on. Afterwards, they will have the opportunity to take part in a TV style quiz, using their skills of recall and asking friends to help. The reliquary I bring with me does not contain finger bones of saints but it does contain a number of diamonds - unfortunately, not the real thing. The Q&A session afterwards brings insight into the world of publishing. With older children, it is possible to talk in more depth about how books are made, contracts and how authors earn their living. Children seem particularly interested in money!

Children at Sellincourt School in Tooting.

Infants

Where I am visiting KS2 of a primary school, I would be happy to go to talk briefly to the youngest children - to introduce myself as an author, to read to them and to answer questions. I find that by doing this, the infants don't feel left out of the excitement of the day.