A Selection of Candy's Books
You Tube trailer for Turning To Jelly
Candy Guard
Reading/talk/workshop
'My talks are about how I use my own experiences, however ordinary, to create and shape funny characters and stories in books, comic strips and animation.
The workshops focus on confidence building, encouraging the children to tell stores from their own lives - even if (especially if!) they tell me me, 'But Miss, nothing has ever happened to me!'
Using my books with their organic, unconventional mix of writing and drawing as a springboard, I emphasise that you don't have to be brilliant at drawing (stick men will do!) or writing (single words can be effective!) to tell a story, and that there are infinite ways to communicate your ideas on paper.'
Type of Artist:
Author, IllustratorDetails
Preferred age range:9 – 13 but can tailor it for younger ages and a mix of all ages including adults.
Maximum number in any one session:
Up to 40 in classroom setting or similar.
No of sessions per day:
Max 3. 1 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon
Session Length:
45 – 60 minutes for reading, talk and mini workshop.
Morning or afternoon for reading, talk and full workshop.
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere if overnight expenses paid. Will do day trips if it’s not too far by train from London.
Transport:
2nd class train, and taxis if necessary.
Fees:
Website:
Candy Guard's official website
Titles include:
‘Turning to Jelly’
‘Jelly Has a Wobble’
‘Jelly Breaks the Mould’
Testimonials:
Candy Guard held the children’s attention for the whole hour. She was entertaining and inspiring. She told the children ‘Everyone can write; you all have experiences you can write about.’ Pupils had already looked at her animated trailer for ‘Turning to Jelly’ and prepared questions which Candy answered with hilarious anecdotes and my class are still talking about her pet cat!
Candy’s manner with the students was excellent-she was genuinely interested in them and answered their questions in a way which meant they all felt very grown up. Her explanation of how she creates character was particularly effective for Year 6 and enabled them to think about how they create characters in their own writing.
It was an excellent visit and I would highly recommend Candy Guard. The children had a brilliant time and want her to come back!
Jemma Burke, Year 6 teacher and English Co-ordinator, Childeric Primary School, New Cross
Candy was sensitive to the children’s needs and her approach was motivating, sympathetic & positive. They warmed to her immediately and responded well to questions, volunteering their own ideas and they created some exciting work – both in writing & drawing. They were accompanied by adults who also joined in and proudly took their work home! Candy’s session was thoroughly enjoyable - the children loved it!
Julia Burke, Corbett Community Library, Catford.
Candy really inspired the children to think differently about how they could write. She got the children involved in telling a story based on real life – by just exaggerating a bit to make it more entertaining! Candy finished by answering questions from the children by using a number of anecdotes – which the children found funny and memorable. Her manner with the children was great and her enthusiasm was clear to see. It was a great visit which the children really enjoyed.
Darren Stamp, Year 5 Teacher, St Andrews, Preston
Candy’s positive and encouraging manner offered support and guidance to all children and the students were engaged and on task throughout the session. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to meet with a local published author and left many children inspired that they too could achieve literacy success!
Hannah Joyce, Year 6 teacher and English Co-ordinator, Sandhurst Junior School, Catford
Published work:
