Photo by Linda Brownlee
A Selection of Beverley's Books
Beverley Naidoo
I aim to convey the ‘Power of the Pen’ and ‘Crossing Boundaries through Books’, sharing stories that have led to my work and a Carnegie Medal.
Talk with PowerPoint images about my childhood in apartheid South Africa and my subsequent journey in writing. I include readings and Q+A.
Interactive workshop about a book that the children have read (Journey to Jo’burg session can include a ‘Meet the Madam’ hot-seating; or ‘Meet Papa’ in The Other Side of Truth)
Readings/performance e.g. Aesop/South African storytelling and poetry
Writing workshop (prose or poetry)
Interviews with children in role as investigative or media journalists.
I visit schools, libraries, universities, conferences, festivals, book groups in UK and abroad. I also Skype.
A book sale and signing of books allows for individual conversations and is best promoted in advance, preferably pre-selling in the weeks leading up to the visit.
Details
Preferred age range:7 year olds up to adults (but can go younger).
I’m happy to have parents attend, promoting community reading and dialogue about books.
Maximum number in any one session:
No of sessions per day:
Usually 2 talks/workshops/performances with book-signing, plus one interview.
Where I travel on the day, generally one session in the morning, book-signing during lunchtime, second session in afternoon. If there is an interview, either am/pm.
Where children have created a drama or performance they want to show and discuss with me, this can be incorporated into an extended craft talk/workshop.
Session Length:
Talk/Interactive workshop: 1 - 1¼ hour (latter allows more Q + A time);
Storytelling/poetry performance: 30 - 45 mins;
Writing workshop: 1¼ hour;
Picture books/story for under 7s: 30 mins;
Interview: 30 mins.
Writing workshop: let’s discuss
Interview: 30 - 45 mins.
Areas prepared to travel to:
I live in Bournemouth and am glad when a visit can be made within a day.
However, I do travel further away but with long journeys, overnight hotel expenses must be covered.
Transport:
I prefer to use train and taxi, but will drive where this is more convenient. 45p per mile.
Fees:
CRB/PLI:
Yes
Website:
Titles include:
Journey to Jo’burg
No Turning Back
Out of Bounds
The Other Side of Truth
Web of Lies
Burn My Heart
Aesop’s Fables
S is for South Africa
Baba’s Gift
Who is King?
Testimonials:
“The children were absolutely transfixed by the power of her storytelling and the emotive nature of her anecdotes. They also found her very friendly and funny too. I found myself engaged in the same way as the students. Excellent story-writing ideas.”
Mark Roberts, Burnage Media Arts College
T is for Telling us Tales of your life
H is for Hoping that words can end strife
A is for all the Advice for our writing
N is for Narrative that you make so exciting
K for the Keyboard that gives your words flight
Y is for Yesterday.........what a delight!
O the Opportunity for our minds to flyaway
U for our Utterly wonderful day!
THANK YOU!
Julie Thompson, Minehead Middle School
“...a huge thank you for your inspiring visit for our Year 8s. They were all enthralled by your talk and thoroughly enjoyed the workshops in the afternoon. Several of them are busy reading your books. I think that more than anything it opened their eyes to a world they knew little about which is exactly what I hoped would happen. Some of the staff have been inspired to read your books too.”
Philippa Moyle, The Hawthorns School
Thank you so much for your visit to our school. The children produced a fantastic selection of work (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, artwork...) inspired by your visit - with very little direction from the adults.
Gemma Kent, The Lyceum, London
Published work:
Photos:
