Seven Stories’ Exciting Authors into Schools Events this Autumn

Unfortunately, these events are no longer available, please get in touch to find out what they have lined up for this autumn or for similar events and school trips (hello@theschooltrip.co.uk).

Seven Stories’ Authors into Schools events bring inspirational authors and illustrators to your school. They have two options; in-person or digital.

Seven Stories is the National Centre for Children’s Books. They work with schools in many ways including school trips, book subscriptions, author and illustrator visits (digital or in-person), facsimile hire, visits or residencies from their team, and joint projects and research.

This autumn Seven Stories are offering a wide range of exciting in-person and digital events to keep your students engaged, curious and learning.

“Thanks for all your hard work in setting up this event – and the superb interviewing skills in keeping things flowing. Schools are already asking about the next event and excited about the potential of virtual visits!”

Cramlington Learning Village (Northumberland)

In-Person Events

Ballet Kids with Holly Sterling
11th November 2022 – Morning and Afternoon Slots available 

Ages: KS1

Meet award-winning Sunderland author and illustrator Holly Sterling for a reading of her new book Ballet Kids publishing this winter. This book follows the first in the series, Karate Kids, which was Shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year 2021. Learn more about writing, drawing and creating your own stories during this event, and have the chance to create your very own artwork. The event will be followed by a book signing.

‘War of the Wind’ Book Talk with author Victoria Williamson
22nd November 2022 – Morning and Afternoon Slots are available

Ages: KS3 & KS4

The event is an hour-long interactive book talk which consists of an introduction to the novel and the characters through readings of the most exciting (and spine-chilling!) parts of the book. These include: the spooky new turbines being towed into the Bay opposite Max’s cliff-top home; Max seeing lights at midnight down in the Bay; Max’s encounter with the frightening scientist, Doctor Ashwood, who is conducting the experiments; and the four friends’ desperate plan to destroy the wind farm’s signal generator and save the islanders before it’s too late.

The talk will have discussion activities woven through it to get the audience thinking about topical issues. War of the Wind features a cast of teenagers with SEND – Erin has been deaf since birth, Beanie has Down’s syndrome, and David has cerebral palsy – it shows their abilities in a positive light and allows them to take centre stage in the unfolding drama. There will be a discussion of positive role models in popular fiction, as well as an introduction to sign language and a chance to try out some finger spelling activities.

There will also be a practical demonstration, and the chance to explore science in action and see how a wind turbine functions through examining a working model, leading to a discussion on green energy and the environment.

There will be the opportunity for participants to ask questions at the end, and to purchase their own copy of the book and have it signed.

Digital Events

With Seven Stories’ digital programme it’s easier than ever to have an author or illustrator come in to your classroom to enthuse children, encourage reading for pleasure, and enhance your curriculum.

Events are live-streamed through a private YouTube link or Zoom, depending on the format of the event. This means you can have multiple classes join in different rooms at the same time, allowing children to have a shared experience. Events last approximately 45 minutes and include a presentation and talk from the author or illustrator, and a Q&A section at the end. They ensure every school joining the event has a question asked and answered. 

You will be able to enjoy the event for up to 48 hours after it has aired, just in case the live stream time doesn’t fit neatly in to your school day. Seven Stories provide resources around the books that can be used before and after the events.

Their digital author events are planned in a way that allows your pupils to join both from school and from home either live or on catch-up. They want these events to be fully accessible to your school and will support you in integrating them into your school day.

UNRAVELLER with Frances Hardinge
21st September 2022 – 11am-12pm

Join the multi-award winning and much loved master of Young Adult fantasy, Frances Hardinge, as she celebrates the launch of her new book – UNRAVELLER – with Seven Stories, and talks all things curses, fantasy, world building, and folklore. UNRAVELLER is a tale of curses, old pacts, rage, recovery, mysterious marsh-woods, magical spiders, moonlit markets – and so much more. It will transport you to another world. 

Frances Hardinge spent a large part of her childhood in a huge old house that inspired her to write strange stories from an early age. She read English at Oxford University, then got a job at a software company. However, a few years later a persistent friend finally managed to bully Frances into sending a few chapters of Fly By Night, her first children’s novel, to a publisher. Macmillan made her an immediate offer. The book went on to publish to huge critical acclaim and win the Branford Boase First Novel Award. She has since written many highly acclaimed children’s novels including, Fly By Night’s sequel, Twilight Robbery, as well as the Carnegie shortlisted Cuckoo Song and the Costa Book of the Year winner, The Lie Tree, and her most recent, Deep Light.

Step Inside Your Story with Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and author Rose Robbins
29th September 2022 – 11am-12pm

Ages: KS1 & KS2

Join Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and author Rose Robbins for a live-streamed workshop that will inspire your students to write stories about themselves. Exploring representation and inclusivity in children’s books, the British Library is inviting young writers to become the heroes of their own tales by creating autobiographical concertina books. The aim is to show that anyone can be the star of a story and anyone can be an author. Joseph and Rose will make their own concertina books live in the event, read some of their published works, talk about their creative processes, and kick-start your students’ book-making adventures. Find out more and register for your places here.

The See-Saw Tree with Playwright and Author David Wood OBE
16th November 2022 – 11am-12pm

Ages: KS2+

Meet David Wood, the Olivier award-winning writer and playwright, and the artist behind some of the most beloved adaptations of children’s literature including The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The BFG and Goodnight Mister Tom. In this special live-streamed event he will read excerpts from his powerful new book THE SEE-SAW TREE, which tells the tale of an ancient oak tree about to be felled and the creatures who live on and under it. Can they save it from destruction? Students will also see a short video featuring illustrator Joanna Padfield demonstrating how she created the exquisite linocut illustrations. With its timely theme, this event is a cross-curricular opportunity for Literacy, Art and Science in the classroom.

How Much Does an Event Cost?

Digital

Seven Stories ask all participating schools to buy a set of the author’s books to the value of £100 in order to take part in each event and in line with their charitable objectives they charge a £25 admin fee per school to cover their costs to facilitate these sessions. These books are yours to keep and use as you wish.

In person

Seven Stories ask all participating schools to buy a set of the author’s books to the value of £250 in order to take part in each event and in line with their charitable objectives they charge a £25 admin fee per school to cover their costs to facilitate these sessions. These books are yours to keep and use as you wish and can be used as part of the set of books from which students will purchase a copy to keep on the day.

Booking an Event

To learn more about an event or to make a booking please see here for more information and to get in touch.