Justin Davies

Awards

• Fantastic Book Awards Winner 2021

Organisations

• Society of Authors
• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Details

I love doing school visits! In fact, the best thing about being a children’s author is meeting readers. 

Since being published for the first time I have gained extensive experience in schools throughout the UK, as well as appearing at several major book festivals, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and working collaboratively with library services. I have also worked as a classroom assistant at primary level. 

I am available for in-person & virtual school visits for P3-P7 (Scotland), KS2 years 3-6 (England & Wales).

I offer assembly-style talks and classroom-based workshops. A typical day-long visit might include a whole-school assembly followed by two or three workshops on character, plot & settings. Book sales and signings can also be arranged. I can adapt my visits according to age group and class size. Shorter visits are also available. I am happy to tailor my sessions to meet your requirements and can link content to the curriculum. 

Examples of assembly sessions:

'Secrets, seaweed & scoundrels!' (ages 9+)

In this visit we’ll learn how & why I became a children’s author and take a peek into my author’s toolkit. Then we’ll look at some of the ways I created the murky, misty world of my most recent book, Haarville, drawing on all of the senses. Along with a reading from the book and a Q&A, there’ll be a chance to create your very own fishy, sea-weedy menu inspired by the foraging skills of Haarville’s townsfolk.

'Monsters, mysteries & mayhem!' (ages 7+)

In this visit we’ll learn how & why I became a children’s author and then delve into my author’s toolkit. We’ll also find out why writing funny stories is the best job in the world. I’ll read from one – or maybe even both – of my hilarious monster stories, Help! I Smell a Monster & Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf, and answer your questions in a Q&A. There’ll also be time to create your very own ‘Monster Top Trumps’, or perhaps take part in a wild ‘Werewolf Howl-Off’!

Virtual School Visits 

My virtual school visits are extremely popular. In fact, they enable me to visit schools anywhere in the UK and beyond! A virtual visit can be as long or as short as you like. They are also an affordable way to bring a real-life children’s author into your classroom! 

• Virtual visits are typically 45-60 mins
• I can offer a variety of sessions for different year groups.
• I have Zoom Pro – no cutting sessions short after 40 minutes!
• Contact me to discuss details.

I am based in central Scotland near Edinburgh and am happy to travel throughout the UK and overseas! 

My fees for author visits are competitively-priced and I can offer discounts for multiple sessions. Please see my website for more details or email me: justin.davies.author@gmail.com

What they’re saying about me!

‘Justin really engaged the pupils. There were lots of laughs and he really sparked their imagination to read.’ Teacher, Lawhead PS, St Andrews.

‘What a super opportunity for the children to meet such an engaging author. Fostering a love of books early in a child’s life is such an important thing and Justin really hit the mark today.’ Teacher, Lawhead PS, St Andrews.

‘It was fun and amazing, he’s really inspired me to be a writer and to make books at home.‘ Pupil, Lundin Mill PS, Fife.

‘I enjoyed the visit because Justin was nice and told us things about writing that I didn’t know. The story was really good.’ Pupil, Lundin mill PS, Fife.

‘You have inspired me to be an author when I am older. Since you visited our school I have
been reading twice a day!‘ Isla, Year 4, Gorseybrigg Primary School, Derbyshire.

‘Since you visited our school, you have inspired me to become an author when I am older. I am now reading twice every day.‘ Finley, Year 4, Gorseybrigg Primary School, Derbyshire.

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