CONTACTING AUTHORS FOR SCHOOL EVENTS
Catherine Barr
Main titles
The Story of Life: a first book about evolution
The Story of Space: a first book about space
The Story of People: a first book about humankind
Red Alert: 15 animals fighting to survive
10 Reasons to Love series with the Natural History Museum (includes Penguins, Lions, Turtles, Bears, Elephants, Whales)
Age Ranges
Year 1 to Year 6 primary school - KS1 and KS2
Preferred Event
School workshops to suit individual school needs; I also offer assemblies
Number of Sessions
Flexible but usually a maximum of four workshops
Size of Audience
Flexible from assemblies to classroom workshops
Home area
Herefordshire
Regions Covered
UK
Fee
Links
Contact Details
Author's Comments
I currently visit schools around the UK to deliver workshops around my books. Many of these visits are coordinated with Roving Books who supply a pop-up school bookshop or arrange supplies of my books to the school in advance.
TYPES OF EVENTS I HAVE DONE:
I deliver a range of hour-long interactive/ hands on workshops to schools for all primary ages based on my nonfiction books. I offer schools a choice of workshops linked to my books in advance and discuss the school's bespoke requirements with recommendations.
I also offer shorter reading and 'meet an author' sessions with KS1 and recommend structures for the day to ensure that as many children as possible are given the opportunity to get involved in the 'author day'. I meet parents, sell and sign books at the end of the school day.
SCHOOL'S PREPARATION
I provide my books and details of my workshops in advance and following my visit, I provide suggestions and PDF materials as requested for a variety of activities linked to my workshops and books.
MY PREPARATION
I have a range of workshops inspired by the subject matter of my books: from evolution to endangered species, space and the story of humankind!
THE EVENT
I actively involve the children in my workshops, exploring the real life stories behind the nonfiction books that I write. I talk about what inspires me to write my books and hope to inspire children to explore and learn about the natural world - and critically, be inspired to care and help protect it.
The children are involved, on stage and through online drawing tutorials, with the illustrators of my books, in exploring the issues covered by my writing. I also provide ideas and suggestions as to how they might follow up my workshop with relevant activities.
MATERIALS AVAILABLE
I provide video links and PDFs with follow up activity ideas: from colouring sheets to cut outs, a 'make-a-nonfiction book' workshop kit, to tried and tested writing competition ideas.
ANY OTHER INFORMATION
I am a Patron of Reading to a local school in Herefordshire, which I visit regularly to deliver workshops, run competitions and read with the children.
