David Bedford
Author Talks
Photo by Staph
Availability 2013: I’ll be on an international visit in Jordan until March 9, so can’t make any day during World Book Day week.
March - no dates left
April - Monday 15th week, one day; Monday 22 week, days available in the North West (Manchester) and Central England.
May, June, July, Sept - days free each week.
October - free but for 6th - 11th when I’ll be in Guernsey for Book Week
Nov - Dec - days free each week.
What Do I Do?
I give talks and workshops to promote reading and writing.
Events are fun and interactive, whether to a large assembly packed into a hall, or to a select small group.
Usually I speak to the every child in class (or combined classes) during a day in school, but my new FULL DAY WRITING WORKSHOPS cater for groups of up to 50 children, of all abilities and levels of interest, and give a huge boost to writing. Particularly suitable for ages 9-13.My particular interest is in motivating children to read, write, be creative and read for pleasure, and to help me do this:
I am an official Premier League Reading Stars Author, using enthusiasm for football as a springboard to improving childrens’ reading and writing (and also their confidence!), using my ’football machine’ fiction series The Team. On behalf of the National Literacy Trust I advise teachers and librarians on delivery of the scheme, and take part in events in schools and libraries across England.
I’m also a British Council Active Citizen in ’boys reading’, working alongside practitioners from around the world to help address the widening gap between boys’ and girls’ reading and writing attainment, by encouraging boys to read for pleasure.
Finally, I am a Patron of Reading in two schools, one Primary, one Secondary - details to come.
What Do People Say?
’Thank you so much for spending Friday 9th March at our school. The children had a great day right from the outset where you captivated them at assembly time, through to their classroom sessions with you. The older boys are enjoying your books and proud to have had them signed by a ’real author’.’
Liz Hill, Headteacher, Brisley Primary, Norfolk
’Please thank David again for all his work with the kids. They really enjoyed it, as did all the teachers. If he ever pays us another visit I promise we’ll have a special saucer lined up for him! Anyway, thanks to Easyjet looks like he’ll get a few more days off...’ St Peter’s School, Barcelona
’On behalf of everyone at Heath Mount I would like to thank you for a super day! The children are still talking about your books.’
’Thank you so much for the visit yesterday. All the staff and children at Aslacton Primary thoroughly enjoyed it; a large number of my class would now like to become authors!’
Who Do I Talk To?
- Foundation, KS1 and KS2 in Primary and Pre-Prep/Prep Schools
- Year 7/8 in Middle/Secondary/Senior Schools
- All ages in bookshops and at festivals
- Parents
- Teachers (INSET and trainee)
- Adults in professional development and corporate courses.
Extended school visits are particularly successful, and have included 12 sunny days with the wonderful Literacy Network of schools in Skegness, a week workshopping with Year 5 boys in Wales, visits to six international schools in Spain, and a 5-day writing project with foundation-stage children at an award-winning School of Creativity.
School Visits - the Details
I usually meet every child in a school during a day of talks and workshops in Pre-Prep or Prep, Infant or Primary schools, or selected groups such as Gifted and Talented Year 5/6, ’transitional’ Year 7/8, etc. in upper Primary, Middle and Secondary schools.
Timetables are tailored to each school, depending on what is required and the size of the school. But here is an idea of the kind of thing that happens during my sessions with the children.
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 the children (and staff!) can make their own Knock! Knock! flap book, suitable for all abilities.
Key Stages 1 and 2
I tend to talk about longer picture books with Years 1 to 4, and The Football Machine series with years 5 and 6. Talks include 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. Workshops for the younger children focus on picture book stories - thinking, drawing and writing. Older children brainstorm their own mechanical, invented character to use in a story.
Years 7 and 8
For ’transitional’ catch-up groups I use The Football Machine series for a workshop ’How to Have Great Ideas for Writing’. I describe candidly how the writing process works, and how everyone can do it. Children are encouraged by the simplicity of thinking up ideas for wacky inventions, and then take the simple steps of using their invented character in a piece of writing.Book Sales and Signing
’To Tyler, the footballing genius! From David Bedford’Treasured book ownership is an important part of literacy. I usually bring my own books, suited to the event, and for sale to parents (and the school staff and library) at prices that won’t break the bank. All books will be signed and can be dedicated for each child.
To Make a Booking
I am happy to consider all kinds of events, and all locations, in the UK and abroad. I take bookings up to a year in advance, but last minute panics are exciting too! I usually have dates free for short notice.Please email to give me some idea of what you have in mind. I will quote you a fee, and if you would like to confirm the booking we can take things from there.
Fees quoted will be inclusive of expenses for my travel and, if needed, overnight accommodation, all of which I can arrange myself.
Fees are in line with those of other professional, published authors. I am not VAT registered.
Typical fees per day:
- for a local school (in North Norfolk, England), from £425
- for more distant travel requiring an overnight stay, from £525
If I am booked for a cluster of schools in the same area, I can give each school a discount.
International Schools and corporate events - fees are negotiable.
In accord with other professionals working with children, I hold a recent (31 Dec 2012) Enhanced CRB certificate, and have Public Liability Insurance, in case I break anything valuable.
References
David spent two days at our school in January. His whole school assembly was entertaining and the children loved joining in with the George thing dance. David carried out workshops with all year groups across the school. The children were thoroughly engaged with what David was saying and enjoyed the workshops. David’s activities were thoughtful and relevant to each of the different age groups. He provided all children with an understanding of the process of writing books and filled them with excitement to have a go themselves. I have had lots of positive feedback from the teachers and parents, commenting on how it has inspired their children to write. David has lovely, warm manner with the children and is very approachable. Thank you, David, for providing interesting and engaging workshops at our school.
Literacy Coordinator, Orchard CE Primary, Leicestershire
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 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
David Bedford 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 next year.
Literacy and Assessment Coordinator
Castle Hill Infant School, Ipswich