Ruth Galloway

Awards

• Experian (Nottingham) Book Prize: Winner 2005
• Portsmouth Book Award: Winner 2004
• Smiley Shark

Details

Ruth Galloway is an award winning author and illustrator, who has worked on a wide range of children's picture books. Her books have been translated into many languages, read on children's television programmes, and are enjoyed by children all over the world.

I illustrate my picture books in acrylic paints, creating bold, brightly coloured images that bring my characters to life and are full of humour and energy.

I really love to share my books with children as well as involving them in the creation of new books and stories, pupils often get a sneaky peek at new books before they have reached the shops!

My sessions are suitable for nursery level, keystage 1 and keystage 2 children and I am CRB checked.

Storytelling (45mins-1hour); suitable: 4 - 7 yrs

I read 2 stories with the help of some of my fun and friendly puppets, and my magic drawing board. I then discuss my books with the children. There is a break for a short stretching activity and I finish by drawing different animals for the children to identify, with hilarious results. I can also create pictures for the classroom as a reminder of my visit.

Creative Writing Workshop (1-1 ½ hrs); suitable for 8 - 11 yrs 

I talk about being a writer and illustrator and explain how a picture book comes about, showing original artwork and drawings in progress. I read and analyse a story. Then I guide the children through the creation of a character and setting, to inspire them to create their own story, using various fun methods to explain concepts such as 'wow words' onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm and flow. I draw the 'story mountain', and demonstrate how the children can use it to plan their very own stories.

Flexibility

I am flexible when it comes to timing, and happy to adapt any of my workshops to suit shorter or longer sessions or combine topics or to suit different levels and abilities, in general the practical workshops are best suited to single classes (i.e approx. 30 children)

Fees

My current  fees are based on the Society of Authors recommended rates. Please get in touch for more details.

I will need

A flipchart is required for all sessions. Please make sure this is in working order, is set up and ready, and has a proper flipchart pad, rather than loose sheets.

Book signing

I am always happy to sign (and do drawings in) my books, but no bits of paper please!
Books for the children to buy can be provided, and are priced at £6.99 each.

Previous Visits

I have visited schools all over the South East of England, and throughout the UK. Last year I was invited to schools in France, and Holland, and held workshops at West Cork Literary Festival in beautiful Southern Ireland.

I am happy to travel further afield, so that I can come and share  the amazing world of creating illustrations, characters, stories and books with children and adults.

Thank you so much for visiting our school, we all loved listening to your stories and watching you paint and draw your super illustrations. We look forward to reading your new book! Alwyn Infants, Maidenhead

I have had so many positive comments about your visit today - it has been one of the most enjoyable World Book Days I have organised. So, once again, I would like to say a big thank you to you for visiting our school and I hope we get to see you again in the future. Boundary Oak School, Fareham

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