Ellie Irving

Awards

• WINNER of the 2018 HULL CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD for The Matilda Effect
• WINNER of the PRIX CHRONOS 2019 AWARD for The Matilda Effect
• WINNER of the 2016 STOCKTON BOOK AWARD for The Mute Button
• WINNER of the 2013 HULL BOOK AWARD for Billie Templar's War

Details

I am an outgoing author, based in Southend but happy to travel. My KS2 stories are funny, quirky capers, about ordinary children who form extraordinary plans to achieve their goal. My debut picture book, ideal for Reception & KS1 is a funny look at thinking differently.

The workshops, talks and school visits that I run are fun, engaging, interactive sessions that will appeal to both boys and girls. For the Record, my first book, being all about Guinness World Records, goes down well with boys in particular. The Matilda Effect is particularly good for inspiring girls and STEM, and teachers have used this story as a springboard to talk about inventions, creativity and the Nobel prizes.

In a 60 minute assembly for KS2, I talk about the challenges of being a writer, the books that inspired me, where ideas come from, how to create interesting characters, how to introduce conflict into stories, and also engage pupils in writing exercises to get the creativity flowing. For younger pupils, in a 30 minute assembly, I share my picture book, ‘Oh, Armadillo! This Party’s All Wrong!’ about a mixed-up armadillo and his muddled attempts to throw a party, talk about my favourite books, fun facts about armadillos I discovered while writing the story, and get the pupils to join in with an exercise in thinking differently.

I have experience of running workshops with groups small and large, and am happy to give talks in libraries, festivals, schools, assemblies, and, on one occasion, a packed-to-capacity 500-seat lecture theatre.

Praise for 'THE MATILDA EFFECT'

'Seven-plus readers with greater stamina will devour Ellie Irving’s The Matilda Effect (Corgi), in which the eponymous frustrated inventor heroine finds out that her Grandma Joss once discovered a planet – for which her male boss got the credit. Hearing that he is about to receive the Nobel prize, Matilda and Joss set out to crash the ceremony and set the record straight. Warm-hearted and funny, this is a marvellous mix of righteous indignation and madcap race against time' THE GUARDIAN

WINNER of the 2018 HULL CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

Shortlisted for the 2018 SHREWSBURY BOOK AWARD, 2018 HARROW JUNIOR BOOK AWARD, 2019 ST HELEN'S BOOK AWARD, 2018 OXFORDSHIRE BOOK AWARD

Nominated for the 2019 FANTASTIC BOOK AWARD

Longlisted for the 2018 REDBRIDGE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

Foreign Rights sold to Turkey, Russia, China, France, South Korea and the Ukraine.

Praise for 'FOR THE RECORD':

'A feel good family drama with plenty of humour and a great cast of crazy characters. Warm and touching, with lots of heart.' The Bookseller

'A fun-filled read' National Geographic Kids

And for 'BILLIE TEMPLAR'S WAR':

'Absolutely huge recommendation, a real must read; a complete gem of a book.' The Bookbag

'I thoroughly recommend this to anyone between eight and twelve. This is a very easy to read and enjoyable book, which is bang up to date in its themes. The Guardian

What critics say about 'THE MUTE BUTTON':

'Often downright hilarious and with moments of genuine pathos, this is a real class read.' The Book Zone.

'It is both hilarious and moving and has emotional issues that children can relate to.' The Guardian.

And 'FLEECED':

'If you want a comic book that will have you giggling from start to finish, this is it - and the feel-good factor lasts.' Parents in Touch.

Also in the media:

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/nov/13/ellie-irvings-top-10-quiet-heroes-and-heroines

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