David Bedford

Typical audiences are nursery and primary aged children in schools, libraries, and children’s centres (Surestart), and all ages in bookshops and at festivals. I’ve given talks at the Roald Dahl Museum, a ’Dads and Lads’ club, a drop-in toddler group, to cub scouts, and in the middle of a new shopping mall! I have judged writing competitions, and taught courses for adults.

School Visits

My books cover the entire Primary age range from nursery to Year 6, with particular interest from age 7+ boys in my ’Football Machine’ series about an inspirational boy/girl football team.

Preschool, Nursery and Reception

I use my flap books such as ’Knock! Knock!’ and ’Tums’, as well as first picture books like ’Big Bear Little Bear’. The children get involved by guessing what’s under the flap, handling the touch-and-feel story ’Hairy Monkey’, and by meeting cuddly toy characters from the books. Afterwards they can make their own ’Knock Knock’ flap book with my supplied pages, suitable for all abilities.

Key Stages 1 and 2

I tend to talk about longer picture books and ’The Football Machine’ series, and I can tailor talks to particular topics such as such as How a Book is Made (where I show the various stages of a book’s production), What an Author Does, Writing Tricks, and How to Have Ideas.

Talks are flexible and as interactive as possible, from children making their own books or designs in class-size groups, to straight performances for larger groups - whatever suits a particular school.

Talks to adults

For General Audiences I talk about how I became an author and what life is like for a children’s author in the 21st Century. I explain why and how illustrated picture books are made, with specific examples and performances using my own books.

As a Creative Writing Tutor I offer specific practical workshops on: Writing Picture Books; Writing Junior Fiction for ages 7-11; Writing for Publication; How to Have Ideas.

Talks and workshops are flexible and tailored to the needs of particular audiences, from beginner to advanced, and are suitable for teacher INSET days. I am always open to suggestions for new presentations and unusual events.

Arranging a Visit

Please first email me to determine if I am available (see my Contact page).

It helps at this stage if I you can give me a brief outline of what I would be required to do during the visit. Will it be a specific writing workshop for a semi-professional Writer’s Circle, or a general talk for interested non-writers? For schools, how many children will I be talking to? Will there be small class audiences, or larger groups in the hall? If the visit forms part of a special event such as a Book Week, let me know about the week’s events and theme if there is one.

If I am able to come, we will discuss a timetable and requirements for the day, and agree a fee. I will send a copy of my ’Booking/Confirmation Form’ completed with all of the details we’ve arranged, ensuring visits go without a hitch.

I would recommend making a booking a few months in advance of the date of the visit, though there is a tendency for last minute rushes, and they can work too.

I am registered with Class Act Agency, who organise school visits on behalf of schools etc.

Fees

My fees are from £350 for a full day; £250 for a half day; £150 per hour. In each case, plus expenses for travel and accommodation where necessary.

Please note that for trips outside my local area of East Anglia I usually need accommodation to be arranged in a local hotel or B&B, for either one or sometimes two nights if the travel time is excessive.

Book Sales

I usually bring an assortment of my books to sign and sell at the end of the visit. I don’t push the books, but I think it is important that I offer them.

In Norfolk, a visit can be linked with a School Book Fair organised by the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre - Best Independent Children’s Bookshop 2007!

References

Dear David
I meant to contact you sooner about the wonderful story time you did for us at the Sure Start Children’s Center in Bowthorpe. I guess it is always useful to have some feedback from these events. We found it hard to believe that you have only done a few events with this age group as your approach was spot on, and you seemed very confident when dealing with the children. (I guess being a parent is a big help!)
We all really enjoyed your stories and my son, Oscar, really loves his copy of "Mo’s smelly jumper". He especially likes the bit where the animals all fall in the mud and get dirty.
I have recommended you to others in the library service who may wish to do similar events.

Literacy Development Worker
Earlham Library, Norfolk County Council

 

I am pleased to give a reference for David Bedford.
He visited our school last year as part of our Pyramid Book Week celebrations. He entertained children from the age of 3 years up to 9 years of age.

He shows a positive attitude towards the children and a strong ability to communicate effectively with them.

His talks were enjoyed by pupils, staff and governors. He was funny and inspiring.

David will be back to help us celebrate Book Week 2006.

Literacy and Assessment Coordinator
Castle Hill Infant School, Ipswich

Events History

Ark Children’s Centre, Lowestoft, April 2008
Wellington Children’s Centre, Lowestoft, April 2008
Lowestoft library, April 2008
Highfield Children’s Centre, Ipswich, March 2008
Willows Children’s Centre, Ipswich, March 2008
Treehouse Children’s Centre, Ipswich, March 2008
Waterstones, Norwich, March 2008 - World Book Day
Lawford CofE Primary School, Manningtree, Feb 2008
Larner’s Bookstore, Holt, Norfolk, Dec 2007
Chilton Primary School, Stowmarket, Oct 2007
Ipswich Town Football Club schools day, Nov 2007
Eastern Daily Press Short Story Comp. for Children, Adjudication Nov 2007
** Winner Ben Page **
Castle Hill Infants School, Ipswich, Oct 2007
Larner’s Bookstore, Holt, Norfolk, Sept 2007
Golden Square Shopping Centre, Aug 2007
Stalham Library, Norfolk, Aug 2007
Waterstones, Norwich, Super Storytime Saturday, Aug 2007
Mattishall Village Hall summer workshop, July 2007
Elmsett CofE Primary School, Ipswich, July 2007
Deben High School, Felixtowe, June 2007
Roydon Primary School, Diss, Norfolk, May 2007
John of Gaunt Infant School and Nursery, Aylsham, Norfolk May 2007
Toftwood Infant School, Dereham, Norfolk, March 2007
Thomas Bullock Primary School, Shipdham, Norfolk, March 2007
Taverham Hall School, Norfolk, March 2007
Whitefriars Primary School, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, March 2007
Gaywood Community Primary School, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, March 2007, 2 days
Corpusty Primary School, Norfolk, March 2007
Fakenham Junior School, Norfolk, March 2007
Highgate Infants, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, March 2007
St Michaels CofE Primary School, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Feb 2007
Colkirk Primary School, Norfolk, Feb 2007
Swanton Abbot Primary, Norfolk Feb 2007
Borders bookstore, Norwich, Nov 2006
Rackheath Primary School, Norfolk, Oct 2006
Pirbright Primary School, Sept 2006
BBC Radio Norfolk ’Bedtime Stories’ feature, Aug, 2006
Greyfriars School, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, May 2006
Dereham Festival, Norfolk, May 2006
Bowthorpe Surestart Centre, Norwich, Aug 2005
Birmingham Young Readers Festival, May 2005
Cromer Library, Norfolk, March 2005
Mundesley Library, Norfolk, Feb 2005
Ludham First School, Norfolk, Feb 2005
Horsford First School, Norfolk, March 2003
Gresham’s Pre-prep School, Holt, Norfolk, Feb 2003
North Walsham Infants, Norfolk, March 2002
Corpusty Primary School, Norfolk, Oct 2001