The audience I usually present to

 My workshops are generally for P4 to S2, so roughly ages 8-12, but I also do workshops for P1-3 that feature puppets and music. Workshops are mostly effective with audience of 20 - 40 children. My climate change, nature and well-being and publishing talks are aimed at S2-S6, and adults.

For my presentations - I have had a wide variety of audience sizes, it’s all part of the fun. I once presented to a school of 6 (yes, that was the whole school, including the infants!), while at the other extreme  - I’ve had an audience of almost 700. I’m a ‘more the merrier’ type, so those large audiences suit me just as well as the smaller ones. 

My presentation style

I’m energetic (even first thing), engaging and humorous. I think of my style as ‘stand-up for children’, a blend of exciting tales and comedy that help to get across the key educational messages. I usually incorporate some health and well-being by talking about asthma - how it effects my stories and my life. I like to get children motivated about reading and writing through story-telling.

What I typically present

 Every session is a little different, but typically they last about 30 - 50 minutes, depending on what is required.

•I briefly explain how I became an author;

•I entertain pupils with engaging stories and readings

. There will be many cross curricular elements - my background is zoology.

. There will be cross-cultural elements - I talk about visiting schools in other parts of the world.

•I provide practical tips to help develop story-writing skills (useful for teachers as well as pupils);

•I give away a couple of signed books as prizes in a lively competition; and

•I answer as many questions as I can.

I have a specific Key-Note Speeches called 'SNAKES AND LADDERS' which is ten minutes long and looks at the bad things in my life that turned out to be good, and eventually led me into writing. If the school has a theme that year, I can adapt. 

Workshops for pupils

I include plenty of educational content, health and well being and lots of interactive discussion and activities.