Anna Kemp

Type of Artist:

I write for children of all ages and would be delighted to provide events for Reception children all the way up to Year 6. My events include playful, interactive readings, creative-writing workshops, and activity sessions.

Visiting schools, libraries and other venues is one of the best parts of my job. I love to share my stories with children and it's even better when they share their stories with me. I offer different kinds of session for different age groups.

Reception – Year 2. 40 minutes.
For younger ones I offer playful, interactive readings of my picture books plus a quiz and drawing activity.

Year 3-6: 50 minutes
For years 3-6 I run a lively fantasy-writing workshop inspired by my fantasy series Into Goblyn Wood. During this workshop the children invent their own fantasy characters and create a unique magic system. The session is designed to get the children thinking about the role and limits of magic in fantasy writing and to encourage them to build fantasy worlds of their own.

Details

I can offer sessions for ages 4-11

Any number is possible for Reception – Year 2, though it is often best to keep R separate and to group Yrs 1 and 2 together. For very large groups the session may be adapted and possibly shortened to 30 mins. Any number is possible for Years 3-6 though it is often best to group years 3-4 and years 5-6 in separate sessions

Maximum of 4 sessions per day.

Reception – Year 2: 40 minutes

Years 3-6: 50 minutes.

This includes time for children to get into the room and settle down.

Anywhere provided travel expenses are covered. I am based in Oxford.

Train, standard class. I am based in Oxford.

Please email us for details

Yes

Yes

annakemp-author.com/

Picture Books:
Dogs don't do ballet
The Worst Princess
Dave the Lonely Monster
Rhinos don't eat pancakes
Sir Lilypad
Mammoth
The Little Mermaid

Middle-grade fiction:
Into Goblyn Wood
Fantastic Frankie and the Brain Drain Machine
The Great Brain Robbery

'I just wanted to say a huge thank you for yesterday! It was such a brilliant day and the children really enjoyed it, as did all the adults that got a chance to come in. Some children were so interested that they carried on when they got back to class. I really am so grateful to you, it was an amazing experience.'

Liberty Cullen, Librarian, St Barnabas School, Oxford

'The children were thrilled and genuinely engaged throughout Anna’s sessions especially when they got to create their own worlds and Fae folk. We've had positive feedback from both staff and parents and we can't wait to have Anna back again the future.'

Amy Cleary (Head of English, Sydenham High School for Girls, GDST

'It was wonderful to have Anna visit our school. The children loved her workshop and left feeling excited and inspired. Anna introduced the children to her new book 'Into Goblyn Wood' and the children had the opportunity to invent their own fantasy characters. Anna adapted the activity brilliantly for every age group. I would highly recommend Anna to other Junior Schools!'

Camilla Lidgitt (Year 6 form tutor and Head of Junior English, Downsend School, Surrey)

'Anna’s workshop was hugely engaging and interactive, giving the children the opportunity to design and create their own fantasy characters, inspired by her book ‘Into Goblyn Wood’ and other relevant literature. The children developed an appreciation of the intricacies of creating fantasy characters and settings, understanding how they can interrelate and lead into a cohesive plot. The pupils were able to participate throughout, and were subsequently keen to craft stories using their characters – this complemented our curriculum well. The workshop was pitched perfectly for our Year 5 pupils, in two separate groups with differing abilities. The children were really buzzing afterwards.'  

William Dickson (Head of English at the Dragon School, Oxford. Event performed for Year 5 pupils).

'Brilliantly engaging!'

'Really, really enjoyable and interactive'

'Great fun for adults and kids'

'Fascinating, helpful, life-changing - this will completely change the way I write!'

'Has inspired me to attack my latest picture-book with renewed vigour!'

'The workshop inspired me and my child to view writing in a positive and fun way'

'I'm a writer - I can't tell you how helpful this workshop was'

'I want to bring back everything I've learned to my class and teacher!'

'The Inspiration Machine is amazing!!!! I have learned so much'.

Testimonials from participants of The Inspiration Machine, a creative writing workshop for adults and children held at the V&A Museum of Childhood.

'Anna was an absolute delight to have visiting our school. She was enthusiastic and professional, with a well-prepared talk and book reading for younger children and an engaging and interactive workshop enjoyed by Years 3 to 6. She adapted her activities brilliantly for every age group and was keen to take the time to speak to every child that wanted to meet a real author. All the children came away excited to read her books and write their own stories, and we had a huge queue of children and parents thrilled to meet her after school and have her sign a book. I would recommend her to any primary school looking to encourage reading or writing for pleasure.'

(Year 3 teacher, Grove Primary School)

'Anna Kemp came along to Flo's The Place in the Park as part of our Once Upon a Park event series. She did a fantastic, animated reading of two of her books. The children were fixated and when they got to dance with scarves and practice ballet it got even better! Anna was a very expressive, animated facilitator who was great with the kids. The drawing exercise went down very well too Thanks so much for a lovely morning!'

Makena Lohr (Flo's The Place in the Park Community Centre, Oxford)

'We were hugely lucky to find and entice Anna Kemp to our 2019 Dolphin School Book Fest in May. Her picture books are very popular with their wonderful eye-catchingly colourful and flamboyant illustrations and her very positive and funny poetry-style stories. The pupils were absolutely delighted to have a chance to meet Anna and to be involved in her comprehensive workshop and story-telling sessions. Thank you Anna – we hope you’ll be back at Dolphin School with more wonderful stories in years to come.'

Kirsty Harrison (Dolphin School Librarian). 

I politely request that sessions not be filmed without prior consent. I am happy for photos to be taken for use on school/library websites and social media.

I politely request that the members of staff who would normally teach the children in the audience be present and engaged during the sessions. This really helps the children to engage too.