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Storytime at Tate Britain January 2017
 Alex Barrow and I have visited many, many primary schools since publishing our first books in 2014. We've done readings, accompanied by Alex's 'fast-draw' illustrations, run workshops, attended Book Jams, as well as numerous children's literature festivals and bookshop events. Alex has even delighted children and teachers alike with an impromptu accordion tune or two on a couple of occasions! Independently, I run poetry and art workshops. I also visit the local primary school once a week with my whippet Hero, as part of Pets As Therapy . (Or at least used to, pre-covid) The *aim of the game is to switch on children's imaginations! To engage and entertain. Get kids actively involved through drawing, writing and asking questions. We want them to learn through play. Every school is different and the needs of every group of children will vary, so we adapt and go-with-the-flow wherever we are. |
POETRY INSPIRATION...
...from OKIDO MAGAZINE issue 84 RECYCLING - WONDER WANDA - SUPERWORMY!
...from OKIDO MAGAZINE issue 84 RECYCLING - WONDER WANDA - SUPERWORMY!
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Busy-busy at the South London Gallery dino workshop, part of the South London Gallery Children’s Book Fair 2017
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As a team we can deliver:
- London-based, fun and fact-filled workshops built around the sights, sounds (and smells) of London Calls! Suitable for ages 5-9 (Reception to Year 4 - or 5 at a pinch).
- Early science fun with a fast-paced, rhyming, quick-draw journey around the body in A Roller-coaster Ride Around the Body. Suitable for ages 6-10 (Years 2-5).
- For a slightly younger crowd, a trip through London to the Zoo (and home for tea) workshop that revolves around A Possum's Tail.
- And now another stroll through the city streets in A Possum's Tail enticing 'prequel', Samuel Drew Hasn't a Clue. This story celebrates some delicious and interesting traditional high street shops, and encourages children to imagine and draw their own! (Reception to year 1)
- What would it be like to have a REALLY BIG PET? Would YOU like a giant dinosaur pet? Let's imagine...let's draw! If I had a Dinosaur. (Reception to year 2)
- If I had a sleepy sloth (S l o w l y) Let's take a leaf out of sloth's book and slow down - mindfulness, relaxation and even a bit of yoga with the slow mammal that has a permanent smile. (Reception to year 2)
- Just Imagine having a MAGIC pet! What would life be like with a UNICORN? Dip into the poetry hat and get ready to rhyme along with If I had a unicorn
- Help Mouse find a new house and discover the adventures of his fairytale friends in A House for Mouse Then decorate an empty gingerbread house with drawings of your favourite candy! (Reception to year 1)
- Or make some masks and be more Bear (or Owl-ish) in A Song for Bear workshop! (Nursery to year 2)
Alex and I have also run numerous workshops as part of kids arts and science magazine, Okido over the past 10 years.
All I need are my glasses - and all Alex needs is a flip-board, some paper and pens!
*Just let us know before the event, and we'll email the pdf to print out for your class beforehand
If I had a sleepy sloth (published by Thames & Hudson) If I had a dinosaur (published by Thames & Hudson)
If I had a unicorn (published by Thames & Hudson)
A Roller-coaster Ride Around the Body (published by Franklin Watts/Hachette)
London Calls! (published by Tate Publishing)
A Possum's Tail (published by Tate Publishing)
Samuel Drew Hasn't a Clue (published by Tate Publishing)
A House for Mouse (published by Thames & Hudson)A Song for Bear (published by Thames & Hudson)
Have a look at some pictures from our workshops, festivals, bookshop windows, gallery events and more here…
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| Alex and I on stage at the Big Dog Children's Festival, Dumfries, March 2019 |
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| And at the fabulous children's shop Ottie & the Bea Blackheath, for A Song for Bear event |
Running an event at the fantastic Stoke Newington Literary Festival
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| Illustrator Alex Barrow, Gabby Dawnay (that's me) & Joseph Coelho (poet & playwrite) at Dundonald Primary School Library Launch September 2018 |
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| FOYLES Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, Author Event April 2018 |
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Corpus Christi School, Brixton quick draw Roller-coaster ride! 
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'If I had a dinosaur he'd carry me to school...' children's artwork |
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| Ottie and the Bea bookshop event |
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| Book display in Peckham primary school |
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Busy-busy at the South London Gallery dino workshop |
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| BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2018 |
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| South London Gallery drawing |
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| Random Storytime magazine competition - London Calls! |
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| Tales on Moon Lane bookshop dino-window! |
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| Dino-window detail |
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| More dino-window, plus Alex, Kasper and Hero the whippet! |
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| Quick dino review! |
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| Storytime at Tate Britain |
Storytime at Tate Britain! January 2017
Storystock festival, October 2016 Half Term, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
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| Fabulous display at Peckham Park Primary |
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The nursery in Coram's Fields London Calls visits the Storystock festival at the Lyric theatre, Hammersmith, October 2016 |
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| POP-UP FESTIVAL, EDUCATION & HUB |
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| Possum's page on the Pop-Up Hub |
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| Artwork from a Y5 class, Kew Prep |
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| Activity sheets! |
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| La Petite Ecole Française |
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| The London Calls Magic bus, populated by the imaginative illustrations from a Tales on Moon Lane event. |
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| The Star nursery |
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| Y1 thank you cards from one of our workshops |
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| Peckham Park Primary! |
QUICK-DRAW ARTWORK BY ALEX 
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| Excellent news! |
THE MARVELLOUS MURAL BY LE HERISSON ('HEDGEHOG') SCHOOL
As a long-term project that grew out of one of our reading/illustration sessions, Alex worked with an entire school of kids at an Anglo-French pre-prep in Hammersmith, London to create a truly wonderful permanent wall mural inspired by London Calls! (see below)
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| I was officially 'Poet of the Month'! |
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| "If I was a tiger... I'd be roaring as loudly as people shouting" |
*ACTIVITY SHEETS*
Owl & Bear mask templates
Owl & Bear mask templates
