M. P. Robertson

Author - Illustrator - Dragonologist

Also writes as

Mark Robertson

www.mprobertson.com

Booking enquiry

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11

Genres

Art, History, Horror, Humour, Novelty, Science fiction

Book types

Alphabet, Fiction for children, Picture book

Organisations

ACLS

Details

What would be your ideal Author visit? One where every child achieves something? Where the reluctant learners surprise you? Where Year 6 are just as engaged as Reception? Where children are genuinely buzzing with excitement for days after the visit?

I'm M. P. Robertson - author and illustrator of over 100 books for children including The Egg, The Dragon Snatcher, The Sandcastle, Dare to Care for a pet Dragon and Ice trap. I have been refining my school visits for over 30 years so they actually work for everyone. My day combines interactive storytelling with hands-on creativity for the children.

THE TALK

I start the day with a talk that aims to prove the existence of dragons! I employ a suitcase full of dragon artefacts and live footage of my pet dragon Ignatius to help sway the opinion of even the most ardent non-believers. (See video at bottom of page) There is plenty of humour (farting dragons) audience participation and I even manage to tell a few stories (some not about dragons)

DRAWING DRAGONS WORKSHOP

I perform a step by step drawing on a visualiser using simple shapes to create a complex drawing. By the end of the workshop everyone will have produced a drawing they can be proud of. (Teachers often enjoy the workshop as much as the children) I can run this workshop to large numbers if needed.

My Drawing Dragons workshop delivers:

• Work pupils are proud to take home and show their families.

• Creates genuine excitement about books and creativity.

• Ensures that every child, regardless of ability, creates something remarkable.

• Flexible numbers, (maximum 90 children)

The question I hear most at the end of every session...

"Can I take my drawing home?" That's the sign of a truly successful workshop.

Kids drawing, and a dragon sketch

ENHANCE YOUR DRAGON TOPIC

The Egg and The Dragon Snatcher are often used as key texts by teachers to enhance topics about fantasy. My latest book, Drawing Dragons follows George (the boy from The Egg) 25 years on. George is the narrator of the book and he shares with the reader all knowledge he has gained in his life living amongst dragons. He discusses in detail every element of a dragons life, from flying to fire breathing. He also looks at the many weird and wonderful species that exist in the places that humans don't!

For teachers looking to run a topic on dragons - Drawing Dragons is the perfect companion book to the earlier picture books. In 2024 I was very privileged to have the art from Drawing Dragons feature in two castles in Sweden. (See video at bottom of this page)

WHY BOOK ME?

I love to visit schools to share my passion for drawing and storytelling. Through my talks I hope to inspire a life-long love of stories, thus improving literacy. In my workshops I show that drawing isn’t a magical thing reserved for the ‘gifted’, but something that anyone can enjoy, given the right tools.

My books aren’t of the cuddly kitten variety so they appeal equally to boys and girls. Book me and I can promise your visit will be a ROARING SUCCESS which will leave your school buzzing with egg-citement... And by the end of the day everyone will believe that DRAGONS TRULY DO EXIST!

MY FEE AND BOOK DISCOUNT

I charge £375 for a days visit, I am based near Bath, I will consider visits to anywhere in the world but please be aware that I charge for travel and accommodation. I do not limit the numbers I work with so in a two form entry school I should be able to deliver a day to the whole school (with a little creative timetabling) If you are a larger school you may want to consider booking two consecutive days.

To help with the cost of the visit I offer a BOOK DISCOUNT of £1 for every book sold. My books sales usually do quite well so this can help significantly towards the cost of a visit.

Event feedback

The whole school was totally spellbound, tremendously inspired and fully educated. A truly worthwhile event.

Alison Gooderson (Weston CE Primary)

We had a brilliant day with M. P. Robertson on Thursday 29th February. The whole school enjoyed a talk at the beginning of the day, then (after a bit of technical trouble!) the children enjoyed dragon drawing workshops. Reception children also enjoyed a lovely story time. There has been very positive feedback from teachers and children alike.

Lorna Collins (The Roche School)

We had Mark visit our school to deliver a whole school assembly and then workshops for different year groups. To say the children enjoyed it would be an understatement! During the assembly both children and staff were fully engaged, even up and dancing at one point! His use of language and story telling ability truly captured their attention and imagination. Throughout the workshops, you could hear a point drop. The children were fully engaged in learning how to draw a dragon which they then took back to their class to use as a writing stimulus. The day was a thorough success, including the book sale at the end, and I would highly recommend a visit by Mark to any school!

Matthew D Cameron (Springdale First School)

Books by M. P. Robertson

978-1-7399343-3-0

DRAWING DRAGONS

A comprehensive guide to everything dragony. Drawing dragons is narrated by George from The Egg. He takes us on a journey into the hidden world of dragons, exploring different species, their anatomy, fire breathing, there is also a lesson in how to draw one if you're lucky enough to encounter one.

W

Waterstones

978-1-84507-799-0

On author's website

The Egg

George finds more than he’dbargained for under his mother’sfavourite chicken. But when a dragon hatches from the egg he knows it’s his motherly duty to teach the dragon dragony ways. OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD IN 12 COUNTRIES. Your child may love yet another book with fluffy chicks and curly lambs,but can you really stomach it? If the answer is no, then The Egg by M.P. Robertson is perfect. The Good Book Guide With its glorious, glowing illustrations that transport any child of four and over into the land of magic and back.Amanda Craig, The Independent on Sunday A beautifully written fantasy with luminous, richly hued artwork which isas evocative as the text … Each painting is a treasure on its own, filled with warm lighting and incredible detail. This is one egg that won’t gather dust on your shelves. The School Library Journal With its glorious, glowing illustrations that transport any child of four and over into the land of magic and back. Amanda Craig, The Independent on Sunday

W

Waterstones

1907860185

On author's website

The Dragon Snatcher

When an ice wizard plots to steal all the dragon eggs, George knows he muststop his wicked plan. But, with just one egg left to collect, will George save theday or will the wizard keep the dragon eggs forever in his icy clutches? Let the chase begin. Beautifully crafted and illustrated witha valiant theme for the boys and a soft endearing aspect for the girls. I'd happily recommend this book for keeps.Writeaway

W

Waterstones

1847805892

DARE TO CARE FOR A PET DRAGON

A spectacular and fun spoof pet-care guide to dragons, with clear, concise information on everything from choosing an egg to feeding, grooming and training your dragon, plus spreads on taking your dragon to the vet and teaching it to fly! Stunning illustrations from M. P. Robertson, combined with witty and amusing text make this a perfect guide for any child who's ever dreamed of having a dragon in their life.

W

Waterstones

Photos and videos

Keywords

ART ARTIST AUTHOR BATH BIRMINGHAM BRIGHTON BRIGHTON BRISTOL BRISTOL CARDIFF CASTLES CHELTENHAM COMIC DEVON DRAGON DRAGONS FAIRY TALES FANTASY FOLK TALES FUNNY GLOUCESTER GREEK MYTHOLOGY ILLUSTRATOR INK DRAWING KENT KEY STAGE 1 KEY STAGE 2 LEICESTER LONDON MONSTERS MONSTERS PENCIL DRAWING PICTURE BOOK PORTSMOUTH ROBOTS SALISBURY SOMERSET SOMERSET SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON STORY SWINDON TURRETS AND TIARAS TURRETS AND TIARAS WATERCOLOUR WILTSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE