A Selection of Hana's Books
Hana Tooke
Type of Artist:
Hana and her suitcase puppet theatre have travelled to schools, libraries & festivals across the UK and Europe - as far as Berlin and Northern Italy! They have also beamed into hundreds of classrooms using the latest streaming software.
Invite Hana to bring her writing laboratory to you, to practice the science of writing the perfect mystery story, aka Mysteriology. Or allow her to rewind the clock, all the way back to 1892, where one of her ancestors (also called Hana Tooke) discovered a secret formula called The Magic Three. A formula that never fails to get a story started!
All Hana’s events are interactive (including the puppet show) and designed to engage even the most reluctant readers and writers (which was Hana too, once!).
The interactive assemblies are aimed at inspiring even the most reluctant readers and writers, as Hana describes her improbable and unusual journey to becoming an author. She then introduces her books and their themes with readings and audience participation, before delving into one of the following two masterclasses:
‘The Magic Three’ – a story-starting formula that anyone can use to come up with an exciting and interesting adventure.
‘Mysteriology’ – the science of writing the perfect mystery story.
After this, Hana will perform an interactive puppet show (for KS2 pupils), where the children get to make all the sound effects. And at the very end, the children can ask questions!
Hana’s workshops are designed to expand on the masterclass and allow the children to put it into practice, share their work with her, and leave the session with something tangible.
The Magic Three workshop: using the story-starting formula, children will design and build a puppet theatre (with puppets) based on either their favourite book, or a story they wish to write themselves.
Mysteriology workshop: through a series of fun and collaborative tasks (including mystery boxes filled with curiosities and Hana’s very own Mysteriology card game), children will see how all the elements come together to make the perfect setup for a mystery story. Afterwards, they can write this story themselves, or use what they’ve learned to write
Details
Preferred age range:7-13 (Years 4,5,6,7,8)
NB: Hana can differentiate her sessions across this age group, but she does find that the puppet theatre works best for KS2, so for KS3 Hana focuses more on weaving readings through her talk.
Maximum number in any one session:
No maximum for talks. For workshops, as long as there is suitable space and support staff to lend a hand, Hana has done both workshops with 40-60 children at a time.
No of sessions per day:
Full day:
1. Whole school assembly (45mins)
2. 3x workshops (60mins each)
3. Book Signing
Half day:
1. Whole school assembly (45mins)
2. 2x morning workshops (45mins each)
3. Book Signing
Single session:
Assembly or single workshop
Book signing
Session Length:
45-60mins for Assembly, Q&A. Signings could be done afterward, or during lunchtime/end of day.
Workshops can are 45-60 mins.
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere, if expenses are met.
Transport:
Car @ 45p per mile
Train etc dependent on ticket prices.
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
Yes, for supply teaching.
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
Through the SoA
Website:
Twitter:
@hannekewrites
Titles include:
The Unadoptables
The Midnighters
Testimonials:
‘Hana’s event was by far the best author visit I have been part of in my teaching career’
Teacher, year 4
‘Hana Tooke’s event was amazing and she was extremely inspiring for the children, thank you.'
Teacher, year 5
‘A brilliantly inspiring afternoon’.
Librarian, primary school
‘Hana’s event was really excellent, she really engaged the children and had a lovely rapport and managed to reach all learners’.
Year 4 teacher
‘The children and staff have been raving about her all day! Our English planning will now change because Hana was so fabulous’
Teacher
‘Hana was brilliant and all the children in my class want to read the book’
Teacher