How the
Borks Became

An Adventure
in Evolution

Prince
Ribbit

The Princess
and the Pig

Here Be
Monsters

Pigs
Might Fly!

The Clockwork
Dragon

The Silver
Serpent Cup

Cleopatra Bones
and the Golden
Chimpanzee

The
Santa
Trap

Someone
Bigger

A Spot of
Bother

Bringing
Down
the Moon

A Present
for Rosy

Danny
Dreadnought
Saves the World

(Excerpt)

The Emperor's
New Clones

(Excerpt)

Doohickey and
the Robot

(Excerpt)

Sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic

I'm taking bookings for autumn/fall term on the assumption that schools will be open. However, I accept that sessions may have to be cancelled at short notice in the current circumstances.

Zoom sessions: If you have students studying from home and would prefer to use Zoom rather than Skype to enable them to take part, please enter "Zoom" in the "Skypename" section of the request form. Please note that Zoom sessions need to be set-up and hosted by a member of school staff.

Date (Wednesday)

2 Sept

9 Sept

16 Sept

23 Sept

30 Sept

7 Oct

14 Oct

Availability

Date (Wednesday)

21-28 Oct

4 Nov

11 Nov

18 Nov

25 Nov

2 Dec

9 Dec

Availability

Available
for The
Santa Trap
reading

Available
for The
Santa Trap
reading

What you need for a Skype session

Technical Requirements

• SOFTWARE: If you don’t already have it, you’ll need to install Skype on your computer and set up an account. You can download Skype for free here. Please note: you will need to use the separate Skype app rather than the "Skype for Business" web browser app as I have had connection problems using "Skype for Business."
  
  
• WEBCAM / MICROPHONE: The webcam should be positioned as close as possible to the screen the students will be looking at, so that I can see the students' faces looking towards me. If you're using a separate microphone, this should be positioned so that I can hear the students clearly.
  
  
• SCREEN: Ideally the computer should be connected to a large TV screen or white board projector, but as long as there is a screen of some sort that the students can see me on this is not essential. If you're using a projector in a brightly lit room, it's a good idea to turn off the lights or close the blinds near the screen or whiteboard so that the students can see me more clearly.
  
  
• SPEAKERS: Sound is important! The students will need to be able to hear me clearly. Your computer’s built-in speakers may not be loud enough for my voice to carry to the back of the room, so you might need to use some louder, plug-in speakers or the TV’s speakers if you’re using a TV screen.
  

PLEASE NOTE: I don’t have time to offer technical assistance, so if you are new to Skype please make sure that you have Skype installed and you have familiarised yourself with how to use it by making some video calls BEFORE you book a virtual visit with me. If you are intending to use external sound and video and have not done this before, it’s a good idea to test these in advance too.

Other Requirements

• At least one copy of the book I’m going to be reading: This is essential for picture books as half of their appeal comes from the illustrations, so I like to have someone beside the screen holding up the book and turning the pages so the students can see the pictures as I’m reading on screen.
  
  
• Some questions prepared in advance: There will be time for a quick Q&A session after the reading. To get the most out of this, please make sure that the students have some questions prepared in advance.
  
  
• A room full of enthusiastic students: Students will enjoy a Skype session much more if they are already familiar with my books and are anticipating the visit. Arrange for the library service to provide you with a selection of my books before the visit – or you might even buy a few. Set up a book display in your classroom. Feature the visit as an upcoming event in school newsletters and include the address of my web site. Click here to download a PDF virtual visit poster to print out and publicise the visit.

BOOK SALES: If you'd like to order copies of my books from a book shop to coincide with my virtual visit you can use this book list / order form to do so. I'm happy to send out signed book plates (shown opposite) for any books purchased in this way.