Details
**WORLD BOOK DAY** I still have some dates available. I am doing a week in London, a week in the North east and a week of travelling all over the UK. Get in touch.
I am the award winning author and illustrator of the How to Hide a Lion series, and many more picture books. I am a seasoned school visitor and renowned wrangler of over-excited children! I have been visiting schools for over twenty years and writing and illustrating books for twenty five.
You would love your class to meet a real life author and illustrator. You would like them to be inspired to write and draw inventive and thrilling stories of their own, and read for the sheer pleasure of it. You would like them to understand that books are made by real people, and that they could grow up to write and illustrate books too.
Testimonials
“The children really enjoyed being involved with telling the story and were really motivated to write their own stories. From a teacher point of view I loved the way you took them through the full planning process. Watching you draw really brought the books to life and we are all looking forward to your return visit. ”
— Anne Rutherford, Head Teacher, Tweedmouth West School, Northumberland
“The children had an amazing time when you visited us recently, to the point where we have been asked for more books! Our children, staff and parents loved it!”
— Stephen Tunesi, Stannington First School
“Helen engaged wonderfully with our pupils, providing an entertaining, active workshop. There was lots of fun and laughter and the opportunities for learning were always skilfully related back to her books.”
— D Mackenzie, Principal Teacher, George Watson's College Junior School, Edinburgh
(There are more reviews on my website)
What to expect on the day:
Some live drawing
Entertaining and interactive reading from my How to Hide a Lion books
I can read my books on a big screen for larger groups
There will be some dressing up and a drawing game, or a lesson in how to draw a lion
Free original artwork for each classroom that I visit
Time for the children to ask questions
A behind the scenes peek into my sketchbooks and notebooks, mistakes and all. It is important for children to see that I make mistakes too.
A free How to Hide a Lion teaching sequence for you to use in school. The teaching sequence was made by Jo Palmer, who is Senior Lecturer on the Teacher Education Programme at the University of Northampton.
Fees
Please get in touch. I have a Handy Guide for Schools that I can send you. It has details of my fees and what to expect on the day. www.helenstephens.com/schoolvisits
About How to Hide a Lion
How to Hide a Lion has sold in nearly twenty languages worldwide. It was nominated for the Greenaway Medal, the UKLA Awards, the Red House Children's Book Awards and the Stockport Children's Book Award. Winner of the Prix Livrentête, the Oldham Picture Book Award, and the Rotherham Picture Book Award.
It was featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories
It was adapted for stage and toured the UK, see a trailer here.
You can watch a How to Hide a Lion trailer here.
The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians featured it in their list of stories which have been tried, tested and loved by children.
Funny and warmhearted' Axel Scheffler, illustrator of the Gruffalo.
'I read How to Hide a Lion with my son. We love it together' David Walliams
'Using a nostalgic style and subdued palette reminiscent of midcentury Little Golden Books masters like Richard Scarry — whose cover for 1956’s
The New York Times
Frequently asked questions
Q. I need you to visit my school next week, is that too soon?
Not at all, just message me and I will check my availability.
Q. How much does a school visit cost?
I charge on a sliding scale, depending how far you are from my home in Northumberland. Message me for more details.
Q. Are your visits suitable for older children?
Yes, I visit children from reception to year 6. For the older children, I talk in more depth about the process of making a book and leave more time for questions.
Q. Are you London based?
No, I lived in London for 17 years. I left London for the big beaches of the Northumberland coast ten years ago. But I spend a lot of time in London, and am happy to travel anywhere in the UK.
Q How many children can you see in a day?
How many have you got? I can see one class at a time, or a whole assemby of children. Or a mix of both. We can plan that together in advance.
Q. Do you visit schools for children with special needs?
Yes, I have visited many special needs schools.
Q.What is the best question you have ever been asked?
‘Are you rich?’
‘Helen, I got a new bed.’
‘Helen, my cat died.’
‘Do you have any debt?’
‘Mr (pointing at their teacher) has sweets hidden in his desk drawer.’
‘Helen, I know an Alan.’
Children really do ask the BEST questions!
Q. How far can you travel to visit a school?
I am happy to travel anywhere, as long as the school can cover my travel and hotel. Message me for more details.
Q. Do you have public Liability Insurance?
Yup! Public liability insurance is not a requirement, but I do have a policy. I ask to be accompanied at all times and not left alone with children.
Q. Do you have DBS clearance?
Authors and illustrators don’t need DBS checks. The Department of Education and Ofsted are clear in their guidance that a Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is only needed when there is ‘Teaching, training or instruction of children, carried out by the same person frequently (once a week or more often), or on 4 or more days in a 30 day period, or overnight.’ It is not required for a one-off, supervised visit.
Q. Do you bring a real-life lion to school?
Yes, if he’s hungry ;)
Q. Can we take photos on the day?
Yes! It will be a fun day and definitely one you will want to remember. Some schools appoint a child as the event photographer.
I am the perfect author/illustrator for your school if you are:
Eager to invite a friendly human face who loves chatting with children.
Aware that a proven track record is important. (20 years of glowing testimonials from schools, and 25 years in the publishing industry).
Ready for your school to have a fun packed day with lots education sneaked in!
Fees
Please get in touch. I have a Handy Guide for Schools that I can send you. It has details of my fees and what to expect on the day. www.helenstephens.com/schoolvisits
Thank you! Helen
