Schools

For Teaching Resources to accompany my books, please visit my Resources page.

School Visits

Inspiring a love of books and stories

Testimonials:

“Thank you for giving us the best day ever!”

– Year 3 student, Brynamman Primary School

“Thank you so much, Helen. My daughter absolutely loved today!”

– Annie, mother of Year 2 student in Newton Primary School

“It was wonderful having you at the school! Our children really enjoyed your visit. Please keep up the great work — you’ve created such magical worlds for children, and I truly appreciate it.”

– Ted, father of students at Montpelier Primary School

“Helen’s workshops were perfect… The children were enthralled. She has a lovely manner with the children. The day ended with a book signing opportunity. We were overwhelmed by the popularity and support from parents.“

– Stephanie Songhurst, Literacy Co-ordinator, Tremains Primary School, Bridgend

“Everyone has commented on what a fantastic day was had by all and the children were all thoroughly engaged in the activities. Helen’s passion and love for literacy is utterly contagious and seeing the children’s faces light up at seeing the Snatchabook puppet was beyond priceless.”

– Fran Roberts, Literacy Co-ordinator, Alderman Davies CiW Primary School

“Both staff and pupils really enjoyed Helen’s visit and were very enthusiastic about the day. Helen’s visit has helped to create a real buzz around books and reading which was exactly what we hoped for.”

– Elise Groth, ALNCO, Ynysfach Primary School

“We all really enjoyed Helen’s visit, and all our staff commented on how engaged the children were. Her stories are fantastic.”

– Ria Appleby, Literacy Co-ordinator, Awel Y Môr Primary School, Port Talbot

“Thank you for an incredible day, I cannot put into words how valuable an experience it has been for the whole school.”

– Caroline Lewis, Literacy Lead, Whitestone Primary School

“Never have we seen a group of children aged between 3 – 7 so gripped by storytelling! Using the vivid images from The Snatchabook to perform her story in our assembly, as well as tailored sessions for each Year group, Helen invited us into the Snatchabook’s world and made us feel we were characters in her story.“

– Harriet Lowe, Literacy Co-ordinator, Monkton Pre-Prep School, Bath

“Our children in both Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase were enthused and inspired by Helen’s workshops and produced some exceptional writing. They loved hearing her journey of becoming a writer, which started at six-years-old. We now have six-year-olds referring to themselves as authors!”

– Richard Taylor, Deputy Headteacher, Eveswell Primary School, Newport

“What a privilege it has been having Helen and Thomas Docherty visit our school. We were all so excited to meet the authors of the books that we have been studying for World Book Day and learn all about the process of writing and illustrating story books!”

– Kirsty Cusack, Deputy Headteacher, Pontlliw Primary School

“I liked it when Helen told us her stories. I also liked the stories she made when she was a little girl.”

– Gethin S

“I liked the workshop we did. We drew the Snatchabook. I coloured mine rainbow coloured!”

– Iris J

“I love Helen’s books and would recommend them to any school looking to develop both visual literacy and superb language!”

– Helen Bowen, Education Consultant / Literacy Adviser

Author Visits to your school

What can Helen offer your school?

Inspiring assemblies and creative workshops based around any of my books, for example: Superwolf, The Green-Fingered Witch, Someone Just Like You, The Bee Who Loved Words, The Screen Thief, Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell, The Snatchabook, ***The Knight Who Wouldn’t* Fight, Abracazebra or You Can Never Run Out of Love. My workshops can be adapted to suit all stages of the primary curriculum. Schools that prepare the children by reading and talking about my books BEFORE** I visit the school find that my visits have a greater and longer lasting impact.

We will explore my books through a series of interactive sessions and hands-on activities, always with the aim of encouraging the children to engage with the characters and narrative and become excited about producing stories of their own.

I will bring along the books that I made between the ages of 6 – 11 to show the children (see my About Me page), so they can see how my journey to becoming a writer started. Teachers always tell me that this is very inspiring for all their budding authors!

With older students, I can offer an insight into the writing process and advice on story writing, as well as guided creative writing workshops at an appropriate level. I can also show them the translated versions of my books, to tie in with the Languages curriculum.

FAQs:

How long will a visit last?

Most of my visits are full school days, but I can also offer half days to local schools.

What groups can you work with?

I can deliver workshops to suit all age groups and abilities, from Early Years through to the top end of Key Stage 2. I can also tailor visits to secondary, college or adult writing groups.

What will a typical visit look like?

I often start with an assembly, so that I can introduce myself as an author and perform some of my stories to the children, leaving time for questions if appropriate.

The assembly will be followed by a series of creative workshops in the classroom, based around my books and their characters, or story-writing workshops with children in KS2 (longer sessions recommended). These can all be discussed with the school beforehand.

I also offer parents (and staff!) the chance to purchase one of my books and have it signed and dedicated on the day. This can be an excellent way of creating a lasting legacy from my visit.

What do we need to supply for your visit?

For an assembly I will need a computer and projector with screen. I will bring my slides on a USB and / or email you my slides in advance. I am happy to talk to as many children as you can fit in your hall, as long as they can all see the screen clearly.

For my workshops, the children will need plenty of plain A4 paper, pencils and coloured pens.

For best results and the longest lasting legacy from my visit, introduce my books to the children BEFORE I visit the school, and help the children to prepare questions for me.

How far will you travel for a school event?

Since I don’t drive, it is easier for me to travel to schools within a close radius of my home in Swansea. However, I will consider school events in places I can travel to easily on public transport and where I can stay overnight with friends or family beforehand (e.g. Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Bath, Birmingham and London).

How can we book a visit?

To book a visit or for more information about my availability and fees, please use the Contact page of my website. There are grants available to Welsh schools to help meet the cost of my visit (up to 75%), and I will signpost these to you.

Virtual Author Visits

You can also book me (together with my husband, author and illustrator Thomas Docherty) for virtual visits via TEAMs, Google hangout or Zoom with schools in the UK and abroad.

“I would like to thank you both for a really enjoyable session. The children were very engaged with the activities and loved hearing the stories. I would highly recommend the session to others – it was really inspiring.”

– Helen Sansom, Llanfoist Fawr Primary School

“Year 4 had a superb virtual workshop with Helen and Thomas Docherty. They explored how to draw illustrations, create new ideas for a story and had an informative question and answer session.”

– Claire Sisson, Durand Primary School

“The visit was AMAZING!!! The students loved it…every single one of them.”

– Annemarie Hanley, Robertsville Elementary School, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for visiting! We are still talking about it!”

– Alanna Shaw, Florida Virtual School

A typical 45 minutes – 1 hour virtual visit can include:

A live reading of a selection of my books (your choice)
A live draw-along workshop with Thomas Docherty
A creative writing workshop where I help the children to brainstorm ideas for a new story and structure the narrative
Showing and reading the children my first ‘book’ (made when I was 6)
An insight into how we developed the characters in our books (including Tom’s original sketches)
Time to answer questions prepared in advance by the children with their teacher

Our virtual author visits can be tailored to meet the needs of the group. Fees are to be paid by direct bank to bank transfer. To book a visit or for more information about my availability and fees, please use the Contact page of my website.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thomas and I have also delivered fully funded ‘Book in a Day’ story-writing workshops through Storyopolis, a non-profit children’s literacy project in Swansea. Click here to visit my Storyopolis page.

Save

Schools

For Teaching Resources to accompany my books, please visit my Resources page.

School Visits

Inspiring a love of books and stories

Testimonials:

“Thank you for giving us the best day ever!”

– Year 3 student, Brynamman Primary School

“Thank you so much, Helen. My daughter absolutely loved today!”

– Annie, mother of Year 2 student in Newton Primary School

“It was wonderful having you at the school! Our children really enjoyed your visit. Please keep up the great work — you’ve created such magical worlds for children, and I truly appreciate it.”

– Ted, father of students at Montpelier Primary School

“Helen’s workshops were perfect… The children were enthralled. She has a lovely manner with the children. The day ended with a book signing opportunity. We were overwhelmed by the popularity and support from parents.“

– Stephanie Songhurst, Literacy Co-ordinator, Tremains Primary School, Bridgend

“Everyone has commented on what a fantastic day was had by all and the children were all thoroughly engaged in the activities. Helen’s passion and love for literacy is utterly contagious and seeing the children’s faces light up at seeing the Snatchabook puppet was beyond priceless.”

– Fran Roberts, Literacy Co-ordinator, Alderman Davies CiW Primary School

“Both staff and pupils really enjoyed Helen’s visit and were very enthusiastic about the day. Helen’s visit has helped to create a real buzz around books and reading which was exactly what we hoped for.”

– Elise Groth, ALNCO, Ynysfach Primary School

“We all really enjoyed Helen’s visit, and all our staff commented on how engaged the children were. Her stories are fantastic.”

– Ria Appleby, Literacy Co-ordinator, Awel Y Môr Primary School, Port Talbot

“Thank you for an incredible day, I cannot put into words how valuable an experience it has been for the whole school.”

– Caroline Lewis, Literacy Lead, Whitestone Primary School

– Harriet Lowe, Literacy Co-ordinator, Monkton Pre-Prep School, Bath

“Our children in both Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase were enthused and inspired by Helen’s workshops and produced some exceptional writing. They loved hearing her journey of becoming a writer, which started at six-years-old. We now have six-year-olds referring to themselves as authors!”

– Richard Taylor, Deputy Headteacher, Eveswell Primary School, Newport

“What a privilege it has been having Helen and Thomas Docherty visit our school. We were all so excited to meet the authors of the books that we have been studying for World Book Day and learn all about the process of writing and illustrating story books!”

– Kirsty Cusack, Deputy Headteacher, Pontlliw Primary School

“I liked it when Helen told us her stories. I also liked the stories she made when she was a little girl.”

– Gethin S

“I liked the workshop we did. We drew the Snatchabook. I coloured mine rainbow coloured!”

– Iris J

“I love Helen’s books and would recommend them to any school looking to develop both visual literacy and superb language!”

– Helen Bowen, Education Consultant / Literacy Adviser

Author Visits to your school

What can Helen offer your school?

We will explore my books through a series of interactive sessions and hands-on activities, always with the aim of encouraging the children to engage with the characters and narrative and become excited about producing stories of their own.

I will bring along the books that I made between the ages of 6 – 11 to show the children (see my About Me page), so they can see how my journey to becoming a writer started. Teachers always tell me that this is very inspiring for all their budding authors!

With older students, I can offer an insight into the writing process and advice on story writing, as well as guided creative writing workshops at an appropriate level. I can also show them the translated versions of my books, to tie in with the Languages curriculum.

FAQs:

How long will a visit last?

Most of my visits are full school days, but I can also offer half days to local schools.

What groups can you work with?

I can deliver workshops to suit all age groups and abilities, from Early Years through to the top end of Key Stage 2. I can also tailor visits to secondary, college or adult writing groups.

What will a typical visit look like?

I often start with an assembly, so that I can introduce myself as an author and perform some of my stories to the children, leaving time for questions if appropriate.

The assembly will be followed by a series of creative workshops in the classroom, based around my books and their characters, or story-writing workshops with children in KS2 (longer sessions recommended). These can all be discussed with the school beforehand.

I also offer parents (and staff!) the chance to purchase one of my books and have it signed and dedicated on the day. This can be an excellent way of creating a lasting legacy from my visit.

What do we need to supply for your visit?

For an assembly I will need a computer and projector with screen. I will bring my slides on a USB and / or email you my slides in advance. I am happy to talk to as many children as you can fit in your hall, as long as they can all see the screen clearly.

For my workshops, the children will need plenty of plain A4 paper, pencils and coloured pens.

For best results and the longest lasting legacy from my visit, introduce my books to the children BEFORE I visit the school, and help the children to prepare questions for me.

How far will you travel for a school event?

How can we book a visit?

To book a visit or for more information about my availability and fees, please use the Contact page of my website. There are grants available to Welsh schools to help meet the cost of my visit (up to 75%), and I will signpost these to you.

Virtual Author Visits

You can also book me (together with my husband, author and illustrator Thomas Docherty) for virtual visits via TEAMs, Google hangout or Zoom with schools in the UK and abroad.

“I would like to thank you both for a really enjoyable session. The children were very engaged with the activities and loved hearing the stories. I would highly recommend the session to others – it was really inspiring.”

– Helen Sansom, Llanfoist Fawr Primary School

“Year 4 had a superb virtual workshop with Helen and Thomas Docherty. They explored how to draw illustrations, create new ideas for a story and had an informative question and answer session.”

– Claire Sisson, Durand Primary School

“The visit was AMAZING!!! The students loved it…every single one of them.”

– Annemarie Hanley, Robertsville Elementary School, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for visiting! We are still talking about it!”

– Alanna Shaw, Florida Virtual School

A typical 45 minutes – 1 hour virtual visit can include:

A live reading of a selection of my books (your choice)

A live draw-along workshop with Thomas Docherty

A creative writing workshop where I help the children to brainstorm ideas for a new story and structure the narrative

Showing and reading the children my first ‘book’ (made when I was 6)

An insight into how we developed the characters in our books (including Tom’s original sketches)

Time to answer questions prepared in advance by the children with their teacher

Our virtual author visits can be tailored to meet the needs of the group. Fees are to be paid by direct bank to bank transfer. To book a visit or for more information about my availability and fees, please use the Contact page of my website.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thomas and I have also delivered fully funded ‘Book in a Day’ story-writing workshops through Storyopolis, a non-profit children’s literacy project in Swansea. Click here to visit my Storyopolis page.

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