Events that celebrate stories, empathy and creativity

My author and illustrator workshops are highly interactive, collaborative and fun. We explore character design, visual and verbal storytelling, and the power of naming feelings.

Which workshop?

  • 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)

    Duration: ~50 minutes

  • This workshop brings to life the true story of Chi Chi — the panda who travelled from China, around the world before settling in London. The session introduces children to Chi Chi’s extraordinary life, as well as panda facts and conservation.

    Suitable for: KS1

    Activities can include:

    • Introductions and story reading of Chi Chi the Panda (written by Maisie Chan)

    • Panda facts: habitat, diet, behaviour, noises, markings

    • Conservation efforts: reserve expansion, green corridors, community

    • The WWF connection: Chi Chi and the famous panda logo

    • Being the illustrator: bringing a true panda story to life

    • Panda draw-along activity

    Duration: ~50 minutes

  • An interactive workshop exploring how illustrators and storytellers give human qualities to non-human characters and why it makes us care about them. Rooted in empathy and visual storytelling, the session moves from concept to creation, ending with a fully invented character-led story built collaboratively by the group.

    Suitable for: KS2

    Activities can include:

    • Fun warm-up illustration exercise

    • What is anthropomorphism?

    • Encouragement of critical thinking: cartoon vs live action

    • What can be anthropomorphised and how?

    • Collective character design: Goodie and Baddie

    • Invent a story

    Duration: ~50 minutes

  • 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 (written by Lorraine Gregory), we discuss the role of illustration in storytelling, encouraging their own interpretations.

    Suitable for: KS2

    Activities can include:

    • Introductions and role of author-illustrator

    • Images that tell a story using excerpts of middle grade fiction

    • What is empathy?

    • Illustration process and the role of empathy in creating characters and emotions

    • Empathy mirror exercise

    • Draw-along activity

    Duration: ~50 minutes

FREE Classroom Resources

Meg Lewis | Year 3 & 4 teacher and World Book Day lead | Ysgol Treganna (Canton School)

Each pupil leaves the session with a big smile on their face! 

We've worked with Jo and her wonderful workshops for three consecutive World Book Days. Jo has always collaborated with me to tailor the workshops to meet the skills and abilities of the children and each workshop is different. The workshops aim to educate the pupils on the process of developing characters and illustrations by collaboration and the importance of using descriptive language. It's perfect combination of Literacy skills and the Expressive Arts. Jo provides a creative, joyful and interactive experience for the pupils, ensuring each child can put forward ideas and be included in the process.

"

Jenny Allen | Development Officer - Children, Young People and Families | Oldham Libraries

I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Jo again and hope there is an opportunity to do so in the future!

"

It was an absolute pleasure to have Jo deliver small group sessions in our library spaces and whole class workshops at various schools in Oldham. Jo’s delivery was warm, friendly, and confident and her passion for reading and writing really inspired the children. It was a real privilege to work with Jo who understood our objectives and didn’t just turn up to StoryFest (our children’s literature festival) but really became a part of it and shaped its values, ethos and identity.

A colorful, vibrant graphic with the text 'I offer empathy-themed events!' surrounded by pink starburst shapes. The bottom right corner features the Emphaty Lab logo with a rainbow-colored circle and the words 'READ', 'CONNECT', 'ACT'. The bottom left corner displays social media icons for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the handle '@EmpathyLabUK'.

EmpathyLab trained author

I have received training, through the EmpathyLab, on integrating the power of empathy into my school visits and festival events.

FAQs

  • £250/half day (2 sessions) + expenses

    £400/full day (4 sessions) + expenses

  • Yes. I have a number of event options available but I would be happy to tailor the activities to suit your needs. Just get in touch.

  • Group sizes can vary, from classroom-sized to large assemblies. Whilst smaller groups of up to 30 children work best (particularly for the KS1 workshops) all sessions can be adapted to accommodate up to ~150 children.
    Bear in mind, there needs to be space to move around for some of the workshops and they need to be able to draw using a clipboard, so there are some practical limitations depending on your room sizes.

  • I will travel to your school, library, or venue.

    Available UK-wide. Travel expenses and accommodation where required are charged in addition to the session fee.

  • No. However, I can assist you with how to arrange for stock to be available for purchase at the event. I would be happy to dedicate and sign copies purchased.

  • Yes. I am available for panel events, festivals, shop window display painting, and career talks.

  • Yes — I have a Basic DBS Certificate. Access to the digital copy is available on request.

A classroom filled with young students sitting on the floor, facing a woman in red who is speaking or presenting. The classroom has colorful posters, a large screen displaying the words "Big Feelings," and various educational materials on the walls.
A classroom with young students sitting on the floor and a teacher in a red dress leading a story or activity. There is a large digital display showing a colorful illustration of children having a picnic outdoors, surrounded by animals and nature. Th
A classroom with students gathered around a teacher who is pointing at a digital screen displaying Big Feelings like happy, annoyed, angry, sad, calm, and sorry. The students are wearing red and white school uniforms, and the classroom is decorated w
A classroom with children sitting on the floor, wearing red and white uniforms, and an adult woman in a red jumpsuit standing and pointing at a screen. The screen displays a cartoon face with a crown, confetti, and hearts. The classroom has education
A classroom with a group of young students and their teacher, holding up drawings of faces on clipboards. The room is decorated with educational posters, a digital screen displaying a message about big feelings, and various learning materials.
Children sit on the floor and listen to a woman standing in front of a projected presentation about different types of dragons, with illustrations and descriptions.
A woman stands in front of a classroom of children, holding a microphone and speaking. Behind her, a large yellow poster titled 'Switch-up' features cartoon illustrations of diverse people, including animals, engaging in activities related to body la
Woman drawing with a marker on a whiteboard, wearing sunflower-printed overalls and glasses.
A woman stands at the front of a classroom speaking to a group of children seated on the floor. Behind her, a projection screen displays a cartoon octopus holding a balloon with the text 'A picture is worth a thousand words.' The classroom has educat
Person holding a drawing of a cartoon monster with pink fur, blue wings, and large teeth in an indoor library or store.
Person sitting on a chair reading a children's picture book in a bookstore surrounded by colorful books, with a purple scarf and black clothing.
Person writing on a large digital screen displaying a colorful cartoon of a girl with blue hair and a dragon, surrounded by snowflakes.
A woman with short dark hair, glasses, wearing a light gray coat and purple scarf, smiling and holding a children's book titled "Hello Winter" in front of a bookstore window decorated with snowflakes and a animated character. The window display featu
A classroom scene with young students sitting on a blue carpet, facing a teacher and a digital screen displaying a 'Hello Summer' message and illustration. The teacher is smiling, standing near a whiteboard with a drawing of an elf or fairy character
In a classroom, a woman is sitting and holding a book titled 'Hello Summer' in front of a group of children sitting on the blue carpet. The classroom has educational displays and posters, including a large screen showing the seasons with illustration
A classroom filled with children sitting on the floor, listening and raising hands. A woman, possibly a teacher, holds a children's book titled 'Hello Summer'. Decorations include branches with paper and fabric banners, and posters on the wall.
A classroom filled with young students sitting on the floor, paying attention to a teacher who is standing in front of a large digital screen. The teacher is smiling and holding a pen, wearing a sunflower-patterned dress. The classroom walls are deco
A group of young children in red school uniforms sitting on the floor in a classroom, smiling at the camera. An adult woman, possibly their teacher, is sitting on a chair nearby holding a book titled 'Hello Spring'. Behind them, a large screen displa
A collage of images shows children in a classroom engaging in a drawing activity, displaying their sketchbooks with various facial expressions drawn on paper. The classroom is decorated with educational posters, books, and books with titles like "Hel
A teacher drawing a smiley face on a whiteboard in a classroom filled with young students. The classroom has colorful educational decorations and a display with numbers and ladybugs on the wall. Children are sitting on the floor, watching the teacher
A woman with pink hair, glasses, and a black shirt is sitting on a chair holding a children's book titled 'Milly and May'. She is in front of a black Waterstone's backdrop. Several children are sitting on the red-carpeted floor around her, some weari

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