I offer school visits for P1-P4 age groups in central Scotland!

Taking part in author events is one of the best things about writing children’s books. Unfortunately, since I’m not a world-famous author, I also have a full time Monday-Friday job! However, if and when I can, I’m happy to take part in author visits to schools, libraries and shops in central Scotland (and further afield, work permitting!). I try to dedicate as much time as I can during term-time for these visits.

I can provide virtual author visits through Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other video-calling solutions – live if possible, or pre-recorded if not. This can involve questions and answers submitted by classes, and in the past I’ve received stories from children too to read ahead of the session. Please do get in touch if you’d like to take part in a virtual storytelling – my experience so far is that the kids love it!

Please contact me by email or on the form below if you would like more information.

I have taken part in two Unicorn Days at Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s leading heritage attractions. The first, during the pandemic, was a virtual day for which I filmed the reading of The Unicorn in the Castle (on YouTube here). The following year I returned to read throughout the day in the Great Hall.

Most recently I have visited Knightsridge Primary School for storytelling in Primary 4, Primary 3, Primary 2 and Primary 1; and St Joseph’s Primary School for their ‘Library Day’ to celebrate their new library, and to do a spot of storytelling with Primary 4, Primary 3, Primary 2, Primary 1 and Nursery!

I have also enjoyed sharing my stories with children in Primaries 1 to 3 at Bellsquarry Primary School and Midcalder Primary School in Livingston, Simpson Primary School and Broxburn Primary School in West Lothian, Linlithgow Primary School and Lowport Primary School in Linlithgow and Grange Primary School in Bo’ness.

I have previously visited Knightsridge Primary to take part in their Scottish Book Trust ‘Big Bedtime Read’ event and Sciennes Primary School in Edinburgh. I have also appeared at the Further From Festival where I had the absolute pleasure of hosting a Ruan the Little Red Squirrel event for classes from five primary schools together – that’s about 100 children (superb fun!).

Book Week Scotland 2020 was a different week to any year before, but Ruan, Drew, Amber, Alfie, Uncle Angus and I were all thrilled to take part in a host of virtual events at Antonine Primary School in Glasgow, Deanburn Primary School in Bo’ness, and Low Port Primary School and Stoneyburn Primary School in West Lothian. Since then, I have also been to St Joseph’s Primary in Whitburn to launch their new library and visit classes from the EEC to Primary 4.

I have attended Girls’ Brigade meetings for storytelling and I’ve taken part in the inaugural Aberfoyle & Strathard Book Festival hosted by VisitScotland and Strathard Community Trust.

Both Ruan the Little Red Squirrel  and The Kilted Coo have also been used as a Scottish topic bases by Primary 1 – Primary 3 classes and as the basis for assemblies and classroom art projects.