A Selection of Abie's Books
Abie on Channel 5 News
Abie Longstaff
Type of Artist:
My work is often fairy tale or mythology based. I cover the whole of primary school, from Reception to Year 6
Reception: I do interactive readings, including how I make a book. I bring props and things for the children to play with.
Y1 to Y2: I can do larger events for joint year groups in the hall or visit individual classes. I read stories and talk about how I make a book, showing them my sketchbooks and explaining the writing process.
Y3 to Y4: Ideas workshops, eg inventing a magic potion. This can work either as a large joint session or in individual classes.
Y5 to Y6: Plotting workshop. Together we come up with a story inspired by fairy tales. This session tends to get wacky and loud – I find the children love to cheer their characters on and they come up with some amazing adventures.
Secondary school and adults: I give talks on subjects such as how to write, or the challenge of making fairy tales contemporary.
For teachers and nursery staff: I talk about how to use fairy tales to inspire reading and writing.
Details
Preferred age range:My work is primarily with primary school children, but I can provide sessions for age up to adult.
Maximum number in any one session:
Any number. If there are a large number of children I tend to use a PowerPoint in the school hall. I can do large group workshop sessions plotting or brainstorming a story, or small more focused sessions.
No of sessions per day:
Generally 4 sessions (but this is negotiable)
Session Length:
30-60 minutes depending on age and suitability
Areas prepared to travel to:
I live in Hove. I’m generally happy to travel anywhere if travel costs (including accommodation costs where appropriate) are met.
Transport:
Train or car
Fees:
Website:
Titles include:
How to Bewitch a Wolf
The Trapdoor Mysteries Series
Superhero Hotel (picture book)
The Fairytale Hairdresser series (picture books)
Pirate House Swap
Just the Job for Dad
The Mummy Shop
Chapter books: The Magic Potions Shop series (for Y2 and 3)
Testimonials:
“The children had a brilliant day with Abie. Staff and children have all had so many positive comments to make and I know the children found their time with her enjoyable and thought provoking.”
Sarah Lyne Deputy Head, Pelham Primary School
“Abie came to do a session with our year 1 and 2 pupils, and was enthusiastically received. Her presentations are full of energy, with plenty of audience interaction, and the pupils really enjoyed listening to the stories. Abie also spoke to our sixth form, and I have heard her present to adults as well, so she is very versatile. I can thoroughly recommend her as a speaker, and her books which are clever fairytale retellings with lots of detail and humour.”
Elizabeth Howard, Librarian, St Helen’s School, Northwood
“Having ‘real’ authors come and speak and sign books at our ‘children’s literature enrichment day’ makes the day feel exciting and special!
Abie’s talk was thoughtful, fun and informative. All the features that make her books accessible to children – an awareness of their everyday lives – shopping and haircuts etc! – also make them very appealing to our students, whilst they also appreciate the imaginative approach to challenging stereotypes about girls.”
Joy Mower, Senior Lecturer, Primary Education, Canterbury Christ Church University
Other information:
We are working on a way to get the Amazon books to display as thumbnails here.
Photos: