Elena Arevalo Melville
Type of Artist:
Assembly with Q&A, Empathy events, creative workshops and interactive readings.
Assembly (whole school)
- Presentation of how I became and author illustrator with live drawing and Q&A
Interactive reading (EYFS-Reception)
- A fun and engaging reading of one of my books involving sound, repetition and movement.
Wishes Together workshop (KS1)
- In her award winning picture book Umbrella, an ordinary looking yet magical umbrella grants those in the park what they need, in the spirit of empathy and community. But perhaps not everyone in that park has understood how it works… Explore the world of Umbrella where the magic of sharing comes alive. Following a reading of the book, Elena will guide you through some steps to draw and write your empathy driven wishes onto card. Elena cannot make wishes come true, but in this magical workshop, she hopes to make your wishes come together.
Home is where… (KS2)
- When stray dog Elki walks into the lives of a group of children, they welcome her and empathetically learn to interpret what she can’t directly tell them. Will they defy the rules that forbid dogs from their building when she really needs it? Following a reading of Elki is not my dog we will consider the meanings of home, family and belonging. In this Empathy centred workshop we will work in groups to make our own representations (in words and pictures) of what home means to us and how we welcome others into our home.
Details
Preferred age range:Any age depending on type of session
Maximum number in any one session:
30 for workshops, no limit for talks
No of sessions per day:
Up to 4 sessions per day including one assembly
Session Length:
40 minute per workshop KS1 and under
60 minutes per workshop KS2 and over
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere if overnight expenses are met
Transport:
Car or train depending on location
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
Yes
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
Yes
Website:
Titles include:
Elki is not my Dog Illustrated by Tonka Uzu
Umbrella - Winner of the Queen Knickers Award.
Testimonials:
"Elena’s event for us as part of Fabula Festival in 2023 was fantastic. So engaging for kids and grown-ups alike, with a really interactive and playful feel. Elena has proven herself to be adaptable to a range of ages and their different needs, and we’d be delighted to have her back in the future.
Aaron Lamont form Discover Children’s Story Centre-July 2023
“Umbrella
Elena Arevalo-Melville - Storytelling at its best!
I read Umbrella and knew that this was a story to be shared with all. The teaching team at the University of Cambridge Primary School agreed. We arranged for Elena to come to our school to share her delightful picture book. Little did we know the excitement that it would cause!
Elena entered the assembly hall with confidence, a book in hand, an umbrella in the other. She set the scene: a park, a young girl called Clara, a bench, and a talking umbrella!
Nearing the end of the assembly the children were all in chorus- ‘Anything Is Possible’, they sang.
This memorable assembly led to some fantastic writing in key stage 1 and key stage 2. Many thanks to Elena for providing an inspirational, inclusive assembly for our school.”
Aimee Durning MBE, Director of Inclusion and Community
“Elena gave a thoroughly entertaining presentation using her "Umbrella" book. She fully involved all her audience members with her approach to encouraging children to illustrate and write their own books. Children from ages 4-8 were kept busy for well over an hour. A really fun and informative session.”
Sue & Chris, Willingham Library 2023
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for coming to the Linton children’s Book Festival and giving such stimulating performances. The kids (and the parents) absolutely loved your sessions!…”
Valerie Reader, Administrator of Linton Children's Book Festival 2014
Other information:
I am an Empathy Lab trained author.