Chitra Soundar

Type of Artist:

Talk (Classroom and Assembly)
Either in the Assembly or in smaller groups, Chitra offers a talk “My Life – My Story” that talks about how she came into writing and storytelling and how she progressed from her first publication.

For Reception & Y1
Storytelling form Chitra’s books and folktales. Includes songs, interactive participation and children making up various aspects of the story.
Colouring sheets can be included as giveaways if requested.
Group size: Class-size to full year-group.

Yrs 2- 5
• Idea Blaster
Idea Blaster starts with an introduction to how Chitra’s books originated in her mind. Where did she get these ideas from. Then Chitra will show how ideas can be plucked out of the world around us. The class will then create a story together by end of the session.

• Story Soup
Using Chitra’s picture books as structures, the class will learn to make up their own scenarios and
rewrite her books.

Depending on the time allotted the class can either finish making hte book during the session or after.

• Riddle Makers
After some fun reading from Chitra’s titles Fun with Riddles and Riddles for Smart Kids, children will learn how to write different types of riddles using word-play and other simple techniques. For this session we would need some dictionaries and encyclopaedia that we could borrow from the school library.

Each child would be encouraged to produce a riddle card with 2-4 riddles with illustrations.

• Top Dog – Tall Tales
Ridiculously improbable tall tales are fun to write and read. Based on Chitra’s book “Tall Tales from the Animal Kingdom” and some tall tales from America, children would be taught make up their improbable stories.

Each child would be encouraged to produce a story card with one tall tale written and/or illustrated.
After all workshop sessions, the class is then encouraged to write and illustrate the story either as a class project or on their own at home. Chitra will be happy to receive them and showcase them on both her website and she would recommend them to the CWISL Shoutabout online magazine too.

The sessions are very interactive and last from 30-45 minutes. They can be extended to accommodate school or library periods and of course goals for specific groups.

These sessions can be presented to small groups to big groups – the format might vary for groups larger than 50.

Chitra would also be able to offer specific sessions for multi-cultural events like Indian festivals with stories from the Indian sub-continent and encouraging students to understand more about other cultures.

Chitra is available for residencies as well.

Chitra is happy to discuss with the school on any specific requests for sessions.

Details

Reception through to KS 3 Secondary

Happy to do Assembly followed by 4 sessions with breaks for lunch. A short gap between sessions is preferred.

30 minutes for Reception and Year-1

45-60 minute for other ages. Can be tailored to meet specific workshop requirements.

Plus time for book signing

Anywhere in the world if overnight expenses are met. If Chitra is not able to get back to London same-day via public transport due to train/air timings, overnight stay would be charged

Train / public transport

Please email us for details

Enhanced DBS & Public Liability Insurance

Chitra Soundar website

Sona Sharma - very best big sister
Tiger Trouble
Shubh Diwali
You're Strong with Me
Manju's Secret wishes
Matatma Gandhi
You're Snug with Me
You're Safe with Me
A Jar of Pickles and a Pinch of Justice
A Dollop of Ghee and a Pot of Wisdom
Pattan’s Pumpkin
Farmer Falgu Goes on a Trip
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market
Farmer Falgu Goes Kite Flying
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela
As I Watch
Where is Gola’s Home?
Balu’s Basket

Edwin Macrae, Librarian, London Borough of Lambeth
I attended a writer's event at the Clapham Omnibus where a couple of writers had their books on display. Being a Children's Librarian I saw the book FARMER FALGU Goes on a Trip and immediately fell in love with it. I purchased a personal copy hoping to do a read on our next Parents and Toddler Session. Hoping to have my copy signed, I was introduced to Chitra. We got talking and Chitra agreed to give a performance during one of our sessions. To cut to the chase, the session was brilliant, captivating and more importantly held the attention of the kids; we all know what a short attention span under 5s have. It will be our pleasure to have her back with all her wonderful instruments for another session.

Katherine Harvey, PTA member and organiser of Indoor events for the Ravenstone School – PTA Summer Fair in Balham said,
We're all exhausted today after such an amazing event. Thank you so much for being part of it. You held the audience captivated with your wonderful and colourful stories - children and adults alike. I was amazed at how you kept the attention of everyone for such a sustained period, even the youngest children. Well done, you added a beautiful extra dimension to our festival. All the best, Katherine

Clare Scurfield, Friends of Dulwich Wood Primary School
Thank you so much for coming to the fete with your stories. We all enjoyed the Anansi story with its funny twists and grand, mythical setting. The kids seemed entranced by it, and looked surprised and lulled by turns. Which is saying something given all the distractions going on behind them at the fete! For most of us it was one of the first times we'd had a story told to us, rather than read, so that was a great pleasure. I personally was so happy to be transported for those minutes by your storytelling in our cosy tent. Thank you. The fete was a real success for the school, bringing the whole community together for a while to share.

Thank you for supporting us in this, and seeming to understand this, especially in your choice of stories.

Chitra Soundar Amazon page

Pattan event flyer