Penny Dolan

Children's author

Available for:
Interview
Talk
Workshop
Commission


Website: http://www.pennydolan.com

Contact: Call 01423 563561 or email pennypennydolan.com

Awards:
Top Ten Title for Children's Book Award 2001; World Book Day Recommended Read 2004; Hull Children's Book Award 2008.

Audiences:
Adults, 5-7 (Key stage 1), 8-11 (Key stage 2), 5-11 (Key stages 1 and 2)


Details

Hello there!  I've been a freelance "Book Week Visitor" for over ten years, working in all sorts of primary schools and in libraries as well as in various family settings. What do I do on a typical school visit? Read on!

RECEPTION & EARLY YEARS: I mix lively storytelling and joining-in picture books readings with occasional rhymes, poems, songs, and objects from my story basket.  Usually for single class groups. About 30-40 mins.

YEAR 1 & 2 : I give a friendly but pacey session often including a told story as well as reading of selected picture book texts, but I bring in more information about being a writer, about writing stories and about how books are made. 45 mins. Usually one to two classes..

KEY STAGE TWO: Depending on the ages and size of the audience, my session usually includes topics such as how I get my ideas, how I choose and shape a story, and how a book is made, together with lively readings. Usually two classes. 45 mins to an hour.

WRITING WORKSHOPS: Please contact me if you are interested in Writing or Poetry Workshops or Writing Days for your children, including Gifted and Talented groups, or for Year Groups. Usually single class group sessions only.

HOWEVER: Do contact me if the sessions below don't seem to fit your school size or timetable, or you have suggestions of your own. I am fairly adaptable, and have a background in education. You can read about some of the schools & places I've visited in the journal section of my website.

PRACTICAL STUFF:  I usually offer at least four sessions during a day, and am happy to talk to mixed age audiences. I live just north of Leeds, but do travel to other areas, depending on time of year and other work.  My current fee is £300 a day, plus travel, and any expenses, and I have been CRB checked.

LIBRARY VISITS: I have worked for Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Cumbria, Denbighshire, York, Wakefield, Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull, North Yorkshire and other library services.

OTHER SESSIONS: I have also spoken to teachers & students about writing and/or storytelling, run adult creative writing sessions, and given talks at conferences.

"The day had something for everyone - the younger children enjoyed the interactive reading sessions and the older children were keen to find out more about your craft. I am sure that it will inspire many of them to write in a much more positive and creative way. You certainly encouraged the children to consider how they can develop their writing skills and improve the quality of the finished pieces of work." Literacy Co-ordinator, 2008.

 

 

 

	THE THIRD ELEPHANT (Walker Books, Spring 2007) (isbn:9781406300826) KS2 chapter book about a small wooden elephant, mice, music, ecology and India.
	MR POD & MR PICCALILL! (Walker Books) (isbn:0744540666) A quirky picture book about two neighbours and their missing cats. View in Amazon
	ROLY POLY RICE BALL (Watts Hopscotch series) (isbn:0749653337) A traditional tale about Li and the magic song that makes his last rice ball disappear! View in Amazon
	BIG BAD BLOB (Franklin Watts) (isbn:9780749670924) A cautionary tale picture book about the dangers of dropping gum! View in Amazon
	SPIGGY RED (Evans Skylarks) (isbn:9780237534035) Young Spiggy must take a mysterious casket to Professor Gizmo's lonely pod; a space genre re-telling of the Red Riding Hood taleYoung Spiggy View in Amazon
	LITTLE TROLL (Franklin Watts) (isbn:9780749672935) Little Troll's happy world is blighted by three bad goats. View in Amazon

Organisations:
National Association of Writers In Education, Society of Authors, Society For Storytelling.