workshops for children
As children’s book illustrator and author, part of my work has been helping children to be creative too. Here is a snapshot of some of the projects and workshops I have facilitated over the years.
Booktrust
Getting Children Reading
Booktrust aims to encourage a love of books, stories and rhymes in children from as young an age as possible. They invited me to collaborate on their campaigns and programmes to help ensure children and their families across the country have access to books, resources, support and guidance.
Saturdads
For Booktrust, I facilitated a workshop for ‘Saturdads’ in Crossgates library in Leeds, to encourage dads to read to their children.
Stories Tour
Being a Booktrust Storyteller and ambassador for the ‘Stories Tour’. A campaign that aimed to encourage reading to children in families within the BAME communities. Venues included community centres in Newham London, Pentonville Prison and Isis Young Offenders Institute.
Storytelling Express
Filmed for ITVCalender News – Helping to launch a Booktrust campaign to get more dads reading to their kids. I read my books and classic children’s books on a special train service between Leeds and Nottingham.
Storytelling Express
Chatting to dads about reading to their children, to inspire commuters to pick up storytelling duties when they get home.
WORLD BOOK DAY
As an illustrator and author I have visited many primary schools for ‘World Book Day’. It is an opportunity for children to become illustrators and authors for the day. My books can also provide children opportunity to explore friendship, love and the world around them. This is facilitated through art, writing, role-playing, discussion and group work. The day is a chance for us to share an inspiring and fun time together.
IMAGINE EAST GREENWICH
Alongside a storyteller, I worked with year 4, 5 & 6 children across three East Greenwich primary schools to produce a children’s book that explored the element of lifestyle and health.
Body & Soul
Running a workshop for children, to gain a sense of belonging within a community at Body & Soul – a charity that supports children, young people and families who are living with or affected by HIV.
Say No to Bullying
Belonging to the group, recognising feelings and celebrating differences. All themes children can explore, through creating collaborative and group artwork. Like this underwater scene inspired by my book ‘The Penguin who Wanted to Fly’. A workshop that I facilitated in many schools across London.
The Learning Trust
Facilitating workshops to help children of Hackney to be part of the decision making process of developing and creating a mascot for the Children’s centres in Hackney.
LINKLATERS
Get Hackney Drawing, Reading and Writing
Delivering workshops in Hackney primary schools for Linklater’s competition. My role was to inspire the pupils to be creative and to develop their own writing and drawing skills.
Booktrust photographs by Richard Walker
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