I love holding book events and workshops for children! My author/illustrator events are highly interactive, collaborative, and fun. The participants will learn loads, but my main aims are to share the joy of stories and unleash oodles of creativity.
As an EmpathyLab-trained author/illustrator, I weave an empathy focus into my events. Reading is crucial in developing empathy skills and my events will show how illustrations also play a key role in conveying emotions.
This little moment, from a ‘Best Friends With Big Feelings: Hello Summer’ event, captures the fun of identifying ‘Big Feelings’ and using empathy to illustrate them.
event options
🌸 ☀️ Book event 🍁 ❄️
BEST FRIENDS WITH BIG FEELINGS
An interactive book event based on the Best Friends With Big Feelings picture book series: Hello Spring, Hello Summer, Hello Autumn, or Hello Winter. Each title centres on a different seasonal character and gently explores key social and emotional themes, such as anxiety, self-belief, resilience, empathy, and friendship.
Suitable for: Reception and KS1
Activities can include: Introductions and story reading | Seasons bingo | ‘Big feelings’ discussion | Empathy – what is it and how is it a superpower? | Live and interactive character drawing or draw-along activity (dependent on group size) | Q&A
Group size: Up to 90 children
Duration: ~50 minutes per session
💩 BOOK EVENT 💩
Where does my poo go?
Perfect for curious kids, this interactive event embarks on an epic journey underground through each stage of the sewage system.
Where Does My Poo Go? is packed with age-appropriate text, fun facts and bright, humourous pictures. It's a unique, educational book for kids who are entertained and fascinated by poo.
Suitable for: KS1
Activities can include: Introductions and book reading | Fun and silly reenactments of the poo cycle | Collaborative live drawing of a fatberg | Q&A
Group size: Up to 60 children
Duration: ~50 minutes per session
👾 Workshop 👾
Design your own monster
In this event, the children will become illustrators. They will learn about the creative process, discuss the role of empathy in illustration (using KS2-appropriate illustrated texts), and create their very own monster character design.
This is a two-stage event, with an initial assembly followed by classroom-based workshops.
Suitable for: KS2
Stage 1 | Assembly
Activities can include: Introduction to illustration | Demonstrate character design process | Live and interactive character drawing | Q&A
Group size: As many as can practically fit in the assembly hall
Duration: ~50 minutes per assembly
STAGE 2 | workshop
Activities can include: Fun warm-up illustration exercise | Brainstorm adjectives for monster character | Assist pupils in creating their own monster character | Encourage some willing volunteers to present their design
Group size: up to 30 children
Duration: 50-60 minutes per workshop
FAQs
How much will it cost?
Book Event: £250/half day (2 sessions) | £400/full day (4 sessions) + expenses
Workshop: £250/half day (1 assembly + 1 workshop) | £400/full day (1 assembly + 3 workshops) + expenses
What if I don’t want a half or full day for my event?
Please get in touch to discuss alternative options.
Where do you hold events?
I will travel to your school, library, or venue.
How far will you travel?
Depending on the scale of the event and my availability, I am prepared to travel far and wide. Please bear in mind, I am based in Cardiff and charge for travel expenses and accommodation if necessary.
Can I tailor my event?
Yes. I have a number of event options available but I would be happy to tailor the activities to suit your needs.
Do you supply books for purchase?
No. However, I can assist you with how to arrange for stock to be available for purchase at the event. This will either be through your local bookshop or through the publisher on a sale-or-return basis. I would be happy to dedicate and sign copies purchased.
Do you do other event types?
Yes. I am available for panel events, festivals, shop window display painting, and career talks.
How do I book an event?
If you’d like to invite me to provide an event, please send me an email with further details or fill out the contact form below. I look forward to hearing from you.
