Ally Sherrick

Type of Artist:

An award-winning children’s author, I believe passionately in the importance of engaging young people of all ages and backgrounds with reading and story-making.
My own desire to write exciting historical adventures grew out of a love of history fostered by visits to countless ruined castles, stately homes and museums as a child, and later, studying for a BA in Medieval History and more recently, an MA in Writing for Children. I love the challenge of weaving the ‘big story’ of my characters into compelling, real-life historical events such as the Gunpowder Plot, WW2 and the Tudor court.
Through my engagement with young readers at schools and festivals, I hope to encourage them to see that they are the heroes of their own stories, and to believe that, like the characters in my books, they have the brave hearts and the power to change the world for the better.

I offer:
Assembly talks
A lively, interactive session in which I:
• Introduce myself and share how I became a writer, including early difficulties with reading and the sorts of books and writing I enjoyed as a child.
• Reveal the sources of inspiration for my stories – places, characters, real-life events – and give a brief reading from the chosen book.
• Share how I go about researching my stories and some of the intriguing/unusual things I have discovered along the way.
• Lead the children in a fun interactive story-starter session, linked to the chosen book, to either build a character or the start of a brand new story.
• Answer the children’s questions in a quick-fire Q&A at the end.
• Talks and workshops for adults.

Details

KS2 & KS3
I also offer talks and workshops for adults

Assembly events – no limit. Workshops – my preference is to work with a class of up to 30 children, but I am happy to discuss working with a slightly larger group if necessary.

Four sessions of up to one hour long, plus a book signing. For example, a typical day would include, one assembly style presentation, and three workshops. But I’m happy to discuss individual requirements.

Assembly talks – 45 minutes presentation, followed by a Q and A (up to one hour in total).
Book signing – After the assembly or at a time to be agreed.
Workshops – 45 minutes to one hour
Virtual events – 30 minutes to one hour

I am based in Farnham, Surrey. I am prepared to travel anywhere provided the destination can be reached by public transport and, for more distant destinations, overnight expenses, subsistence and travel are met.

Train and taxi when necessary

Please email us for details

Yes – updated annually

PLI

Ally Sherrick's website page

Black Powder
The Buried Crown
The Queen’s Fool
Vita and the Gladiator

The children loved listening to Ally and most certainly got a lot out of it! It was clear from their responses in the assembly, and in the year 4 Q&A, that they had listened carefully and were interested in the subject matter. It was also really inspiring to hear of Ally’s background and her own inspirations as a writer.

Thanks so much again – it was a really brilliant visit, and really well pitched to the age groups involved.’

Ruth Oliver, Class Teacher and Humanities Subject Leader, Sunnyhill Primary, Streatham

Dear Ally, a massive ‘thank you’ for yesterday. Everyone had a great day and the book sales were the most popular we’ve had for quite a while! I’m sure we’ll be in touch again!

Liz Underhill – Deputy Headteacher – Heatherside Junior School, Fleet

Ally was not only enthusiastic and enjoyable to listen to, she had fantastic tips for the children to become great writers through developing strong, descriptive and interesting heroes and villains.

Sarah Baimbridge – Year 6 teacher and English Lead – Bethany Junior School, Bournemouth

‘We had such an interesting and informative morning with Ally; the children were enthralled with her presentation and they especially loved all the gory details about what happened to Guy Fawkes after he was captured. There has been so much lovely feedback from the children and parents about the visit and lots of children are enjoying reading ‘Black Powder.’ Ally managed to engage and enthuse the children, inspiring them to create their own stories about the Gunpowder Plot.’

Jo Clarke, Library Manager, Whitchurch C of E Primary School, Hants

Ally Sherrick's Amazon site

Besides school visits, I have also delivered festival events, creative workshops in museums and libraries and have been a writing mentor. I am a member of the Historical Association and also of The Time Tunnellers, a small group of authors of historical fiction using short videos and classroom resources to encourage young people to ‘dig for the story in history’.