Alice Harman

Alice Harman

Children's non-fiction author of 50 books (and counting!)

aliceharman.com
Booking enquiry
Alice Harman - author tools

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11, Age 11 to 14, Further Education, University, Adult

Genres

Art, History, Narrative non-fiction, Non-Fiction, Science, STEM

Book types

Non-fiction for children

Awards

  • Shortlisted for UKLA Book Awards 2022
  • Longlisted for Blue Peter Book Awards 2021

Organisations

Details

Hi! I'm a creative non-fiction author, which means that my books are full of fantastic facts but also have all sorts of fun creative bits – from characters, stories and imagined conversations to games, puzzles and activities. I write about everything from modern art and climate action to growth mindset and outer space.

I love doing author visits and workshops – both virtual and in-person! It’s one of the best bits about being an author. I get so much enjoyment from helping children use books to explore and understand our big wide world, and gain confidence in their own ideas and writing abilities. I also really enjoy using my experience as an author and editor to help adults who want to write their own children's non-fiction books.

 

Author visits 

My visits are full of amazing facts, inspiring stories, fun activities, and behind-the-scenes insights into what life as a children’s author is really like. I also invite children to develop their own creative non-fiction ideas, showing them how they can use their unique imagination to bring fascinating facts to life for others too.

I have experience working with schools, libraries and festivals (including ChipLitFest, York Festival of Ideas and the Full Shebang Festival), offering sessions for families (children with parents/carers) as well as for school classes. 

It’s incredible to hear from teachers, parents/carers and librarians how my visits have inspired children to read and write more – and to want to become authors themselves! 

I offer a range of interactive workshops, themed around each of the different subjects that I explore in my books. Each includes a reading from one of my books and a Q&A session for children to ask whatever they've always wanted to know about being an author! I can also send over downloadable resources to maximise the visit’s impact for children, and to make hosting the event as simple (and fun!) as possible. 

Book signings are included for all in-person visits, and for virtual visits I can send over signed bookplates to put in copies of my books that are purchased for the event. It’s a great way to engage children and make their book feel really special! 

 

Workshops for adults

I work on both sides of the publishing process, as an author and an editor specialising in children’s creative non-fiction, and I also use this experience to coach authors (published and aspiring) to create the very best version of their book. 

I offer writing talks and workshops for adults, and have previously worked with organisations and festivals such as the Society of Authors, ChipLitFest and Writers in Oxford. I can talk about different elements of writing for children, or of the publishing process, from putting together a non-fiction book proposal to working with illustrators (I've been so lucky in this regard, including collaborating with Sir Quentin Blake on one of my recent books!)

 

Working with me 

Please do get in touch to chat about what you'd really like from your author visit, speaking event or workshop. It'd be great to hear about your school or organisation, and how I can help create the most engaging, inspiring and memorable experience possible!

I base my fees on Society of Author recommendations, and I'm happy to travel around the UK and abroad for in-person visits where possible – but I do ask for my travel expenses to be covered. 

If you are interested in booking me for a talk or interview, in addition to festival appearances I have previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 4 World at One and on podcasts and video series including Picture Book Ingredients and Embracing Humane Parenting. Please get in touch with details and it'd be great to talk further.

 

Testimonials

Here are a selection of kind words about my past author visits:

"We have been incredibly lucky to work with Alice, and her involvement with our pupils has created so many amazing memories … she has gone above and beyond in engaging with and inspiring our pupils! Alice has really motivated our children to find enjoyment in key issues around how non-fiction can open up our minds."

Paul Matthews, Deputy Head and Reading Lead, Crescent Primary School

 

"I really enjoyed working with Alice, as she inspired me to develop my love of writing! I think her books are so unique and amazing. The way she got the message across was brilliant."

Charlotte, age 9

 

"Thank you Alice for the excellent sessions you delivered to our schools, the children have been very fortunate. Alice engaged well with the children, using interactive elements to clearly explain growth mindset and how they could apply it to everyday life. This was a key objective in our programme to facilitate the pupils’ transition to secondary school. We would highly recommend Alice."

Jemima Kelly, Partnership and Community Librarian, North Lincolnshire Council 

 

"Alice was really thoughtful when we had our virtual meeting for World Book Day. It inspired me to keep trying with my English and keep pushing myself."

Leona, age 10

 

"Working with Alice really inspired me to keep on reading and writing. I love her books as they are so unique and special. Keep up the good work Alice!"

Mia, age 9

 

Books by Alice Harman

This is a selection of my recent books – if you'd like to see more, please visit https://aliceharman.com/portfolio-category/author/
9780241587584
Art Sparks

Art Sparks

Cut, stick, paint and draw with these awesomely arty activities inspired by real masterpieces. An artistic cheetah leads you through the museum as you explore and discover amazing pieces from The Met. Follow the prompts to create your own works of art! Turn your hand to artistic techniques like pointillism and sgraffito, and have a go at making clay sculptures and relief prints. With space for you to try out each idea and amazing facts to read, you'll find all the inspiration you need to make art and have fun. 
9780500652749
Mona Lisa and the Others

Mona Lisa and the Others

Millions of people visit the Louvre Museum in Paris every year to gaze and gawp at its all-star art collection. But there’s one star who gets a lot more attention than anyone else … Well, the Louvre’s many other masterpieces aren’t too happy about being overshadowed – and they’re here to tell everyone what makes them just as worthy of the Mona Lisa’s teeming crowds. With a focus on portraits and other person-centred artworks, Mona Lisa and the Others reveals the stories behind some of the Louvre Museum’s most famous artworks. 
978-0500652206
Modern Art Explorer

Modern Art Explorer

A fun, unpretentious and brilliantly illustrated introduction to modern art for children. Modern Art Explorer takes readers behind the scenes to discover the stories behind thirty famous artworks from the Centre Pompidou’s collection in Paris. Featuring artists such as Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo. Young readers will be entertained and intrigued by weird details and big ideas alike, growing in confidence as they are encouraged to see and think for themselves. Modern art has never seemed so exciting! 
9780711256804
Climate Change (And How We'll Fix It)

Climate Change (And How We'll Fix It)

We know what we need to do – so why don’t we just sort out climate change? Many kids (and quite a few adults) have asked the question. This book will answer it with a positive, realistic vision of how we can solve this global crisis. After a recap of the science behind climate change, the book delves deeper, looking at the social and political factors standing in the way of a solution and then exploring how we can work together fairly, sensitively and decisively to save our planet. 
9781786036483
Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are?

A funny, stylish book of twenty illustrated psychological tests exploring all kinds of ideas about what makes us who we are – some of them scientific, some of them a bit strange! Young people can try out the quizzes on themselves and their friends – and learn a bit more about what ‘personality’ is and what impact it can have on the way we each think, live and relate to others. 
9781839403613
Go Green! Activity Book

Go Green! Activity Book

This vibrantly illustrated activity book is packed with fun projects, eye-opening facts, imaginative games and top eco tips. From a tree trivia quiz to a ‘design your own eco house’ challenge, there’s all sorts to inspire and engage young readers. Children can explore the challenges facing our planet in a positive, hands-on way and learn how small changes in our everyday lives can make a big difference to the environment. Perfect for kids aged 6+. 
9781445168609
Boost Your Brain

Boost Your Brain

This book is full of fun, practical ways for children to learn how to improve concentration, positivity, confidence and mental wellbeing in a way that works for them. The Grow Your Mind series helps children develop a ‘Growth Mindset’ – that is, a belief that putting in effort and approaching challenges positively can help them feel smarter, stronger and more confident in themselves. 
9781526315212
Protecting Nature and Wildlife

Protecting Nature and Wildlife

Our planet is facing a biodiversity crisis, but all is not lost! We can do all sorts of things to protect nature and wildlife, including using and developing amazing green technologies. Discover how scientists and inventors are using their brain power to to help create a safer, cleaner, greener world – and how we can use people power to maximise our impact. The four-book series Green Tech is a balanced, big-picture guide to fascinating technology from the past, present and cutting-edge and how it can help us solve Earth’s major ecological issues, from the climate crisis to biodiversity loss. 
9781445164038
Human Rights

Human Rights

This book in the I’m a Global Citizen series encourages children to explore what human rights are, think about the ways in which people’s rights may not be respected and take action to help protect everyone’s rights. Colourful illustrations, inspiring case studies and fun activities help children understand how they can create real change through individual and collective action. 
9781788885522
Space Is Awesome!

Space Is Awesome!

Did you know that crying in space could kill you? Or that you can use a telescope to see millions of years into the past? From the planets and moons of our solar system to the furthest reaches of the known universe, this book is an essential guide to the weird wonders of space. It is packed full of 101 eye-opening and extraordinary facts about space that kids will love to discover and share. 

Keywords

ACTIVISM ART ARTY CHILDREN CLIMATE CREATIVE ECO FACTS FACTUAL GREEN HISTORY INFORMATION KIDS NATURE NON-FICTION PRIMARY SCIENCE STEAM STEM WELLBEING WRITING