Jasper Cooper

Organisations

• The Society of Authors - Full Member

Details

SCHOOL VISITS

Key Stage 2 & Key Stage 3

I have visited over 200 schools... primary and secondary.

I thoroughly enjoy visiting a school and talking to children. My teaching experience makes me very comfortable in schools and I am talking about something I love!

My presentations are rich with interesting features to catch and hold the interest of the children:

• How I Became An Author ~ from the first draft to the finished books.
• How I create books ~ the process, including creativity, editing, illustrating, designing my covers, working hard, developing skills.
• Readings and Story Telling from my books.
• A Display of some of my original artwork from my books (6 prints of my oil paintings). I also have a collection of my animal characters as soft toys and sculptures - very popular with the children! I link them in with the whole creative process in my books.
• Maps and Illustrations on the large screen.
• Questions & Interaction with the children during the talk and at the end. 
• Video Clips, from the following:

1. In my Garden Chalet/Studio: a glimpse into my daily place of work and the self-discipline needed to be productive. It includes a clips of me writing, painting, drawing, making breakfast and my cats! I sing a self-composed riddle/song, from my books, and play guitar & harmonica!
2. Animal Characters in my Books.
3. BBC News Feature about me & my books.

BEFORE THE VISIT

To help with the preparations for the Author Visit I provide:

1. A colourful poster 
2. A quiz with answers found on my website
3. Chapter 1 of one of my books and a fantasy map
4. The school can do the Creative Writing Competition if they wish (see below)
5. A video introducing me, and my cats, to the children. 

THE FRUITS OF AN AUTHOR VISIT 

An author visit can be a very memorable event in a child's school-life. I aim to inspire them through dynamic presentations. I have a rich treasure of creativity to show them and tell them about, as well as the knowledge and skill to produce it. This is coupled with my enthusiasm and love of creating stories and books. This has proved to be an inspiring combination! 

CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

I offer a very successful creative writing competition for which I supply (free) prizes of framed prints of my paintings and certificates. I present them on the day of my visit.

ABOUT ME 

My working life in a nutshell:

Professional tennis player, then…

Tennis & squash coaching Professional, then…

BA in fine art, then… 

School Teacher, then…

...and now… Author & Illustrator. 

I have completed over 100 extremely popular Waterstone's Signing Events dotted around the country.

Tennis

I played tennis for England as a young man and again as a veteran.

I am still a very active and enthusiastic tennis player. I play tournaments, county matches and club matches throughout the year.

I was British Veteran Tennis Champion, singles and doubles, in 1999 - a tournament played on the velvet lawns of Wimbledon.

I won the 2013 British over 60s Doubles Championship and was runner-up in 2014. I am presently the British Clay Court over 60 doubles Champion. 

KEY STAGE 1 

My books are for children aged 7 - 14. However, I am often asked to speak 5 - 7 year olds too, so I have created a story for this age group using my soft toy characters and illustrations. It makes a fun session for them, lasting 30 - 40 minutes.

COMMENTS

Primary Schools

"We just all wanted to say a huge thank you from everybody at Ballard. We all really enjoyed the workshop, the children were totally absorbed and the feedback from them has been great! The books have gone down a storm!"
Sarah Goodfellow, English Teacher, Ballard School, New Milton.

“Just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. The talk really had a major impact… ”                                                                                                    Dominic McBride, Headteacher,St. Thomas’ CatholicPrimary School, Canterbury.

“Thank you so much for coming in to school today. The children were absolutely brimming with enthusiasm about your books. Lynne, Sarah and the head were all also full of praise and said how good the morning had been.” 
Veronica Tutthill, St, Joseph’s RC Primary School, Aylesham, Kent.

"Jasper's visual presentation was a particular highlight and the children were enthralled when he displayed his illustrations and maps on the large screen. When Jasper showed us his original artwork the children really felt they were becoming part of the magic! I would thoroughly recommend a visit by Jasper - he has the insight and knowledge to be able to inspire even the most reluctant of readers and writers!"
Erin Moon  Key Stage 2 Co-ordinater, Chartham Primary School, Chartham, Kent.

Secondary Schools

"The students all said they really enjoyed the day, particularly your talks.
We have a lot of inspired students now thanks to you!"
Andrea Mayo, Rainham School for Girls - return visit 2012.

"I would like to thank you for visiting our kids in Harwich. You really created a wave of interest and enthusiasm among the pupils.The pupils were inspired by your presentation, your writing and your illustrations. The personal insight you gave as regards your personal background and your inspirations for your stories really influenced and inspired the kids." 
Ray Gallagher, English Teacher, The Harwich School

TALKS FOR ADULTS

I tune my talks to adults to suit the audience. If you are interested please contact me and we can discuss the type of talk you need. 

The focus is usually Creativity and Writing.
I often include some input on the creativity in other arts - music, sport and painting - which show common features. It is a talk to help the understanding of the creative force, how it happens and how it may be developed. 

LITERACY TALKS FOR TEACHERS

My favourite topic, as the keynote speaker, is Creativity and Writing linked to inspiring and developing children.

BBC FEATURE

There's a BBC News Feature about me and the writing of Candara's Gift which you can view on my website.

ARRANGING A VISIT

Please email me.

I am happy to travel in the UK or abroad.

I follow the rates recommended by The Society of Authors.
Rates for smaller groups can be negotiated.

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