An interactive book event based on the Best Friends With Big Feelings picture book series, gently exploring key social and emotional themes, such as anxiety, self-belief, resilience, empathy, and friendship.

Suitable for: Reception & KS1

Activities can include:

• Introductions and story reading

• Seasons bingo

• ‘Big feelings’ discussion

• Recognising emotions

• ‘Simon Says’ with emotions

• Live and interactive character drawing or draw-along activity (dependent on group size)

Group size: Up to 90 children

Duration: ~45 minutes per session

As an EmpathyLab trained author/illustrator, I focus this event on defining and understanding empathy and how reading and illustrating can nurture that skill. Using Interdimensional Explorers, we discuss the role of illustration in storytelling, encouraging their own interpretations.

Suitable for: KS2

Activities can include:

• Introductions

• Role of author/illustrator

• Images that tell a story

• Illustration process

• What is empathy and what is its role in books/reading

• Empathy mirror exercise

• Draw-along activity

Group size: Up to 90 children

Duration: ~45 minutes per session

The children become the illustrators. They will learn about the creative process, discuss the role of empathy in illustration, 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: KS1 & KS2

STAGE 1 | Assembly

Activities can include:

• Introduction to illustration

• Demonstrate character design process

• Live and interactive character drawing

Group size: As many as can practically fit in the assembly hall

Duration: ~45 minutes per assembly

STAGE 2 | Workshop

Activities can include:

• Fun warm-up illustration exercise

• Brainstorm adjectives for characters

• Assist pupils in creating their own character

• Encourage some willing volunteers to present their design

Group size: up to 30 children

Duration: 45 minutes per workshop