Available for
Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a bookAudiences
Age 1 to 3, Age 3 to 5, Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11, Age 11 to 14, Age 14 to 16, Age 16 to 18+, Further Education, UniversityGenres
Adventure, Fable, Fairy tale, Fantasy, Fiction, Folklore, Magical realism, Picture book, Poetry, Short story, Tall taleBook types
Picture bookDetails
Capture children's imagination with a direct link to the world of books and reading.
If I've learned one thing, it's that children love to be involved, so my visits are very interactive.
We (that's the children and I) talk about nature, hobbies, pets, life outdoors, the weather, in fact anything that the children bring to the discussion. I have a tool kit of exercises to encourage children to verbalise their ideas into creative language, introducing rhythm and rhyme into the process.
My sessions might become a little rambunctious but the children have great fun. Then, we calm things down with some storytelling.
I've created Polly Paint and the Ponies book series. These stories are about a young pony exploring her world and learning how to engage with different, unique individuals and having lots of adventures exploring. Stories address topics including new beginnings, making friends and inclusivity; curiosity and learning about the natural environment. Stories are written in colourful rhyme and are illustrated beautifully with references to nature throughout.
My books are perfectly suited for Book Talk with rich language to add variety and diversity to the children's reading. The illustrations also stimulate different conversations with plenty of creatures popping up and adding more opportunities for engagement and discussion.
For Early Years Foundation Stage:
Intriguing stories to keep even the wriggliest children entranced.
Discussion and activities to get children thinking about their own experiences of the natural world.
For Key Stage 1 and 2:
Rhythm and rhyme games to create new story ideas, enhance listening and imagination.
Q&A with the author to feed the most curious of minds.
Storytime to demonstrate how rhyme can flow through a story and rhythm can make reading more fun.
For Key Stage 3 and 4:
We discuss my journey towards book publication and the different processes involved from creation and illustration through to production and marketing. I'm happy to learn from students as we share ideas about what works and what doesn't in a crowded, commercial market place. We also talk about resilience and determination needed to drive a project forward and manage the many moving parts.
I'm located on the North Wales/Shropshire border and I'm happy to travel as required.
Books by Gemma Merlen
Polly Paint stories are about a young pony exploring her world and learning how to engage with different, unique individuals and having lots of fun exploring. Stories address topics including new beginnings, making friends and inclusivity; curiosity and learning about the natural environment. Stories are written in colourful, poetry and are illustrated beautifully with references to nature throughout.
978-1-8381034-0-8
Polly Paint What Do You Do?
Polly Paint Pony’s first adventure is captured in this beautifully illustrated story.
Polly Paint arrives at her new home, hoping she won’t be alone.
She finds some ponies and as they speak Polly Paint learns each is unique.
So what will happen if they ask her too: ‘Polly Paint, what do you do?’
978-1-8381034-1-5
Polly Paint and the Dinosaur Dilemma
Polly Paint Pony, what have you disturbed?
Quickly, gallop back and warn the herd!
Can all the ponies put their heads together,
And solve Polly Paint’s Dinosaur Dilemma?