A Selection of Jo's Books
Jo Cotterill
Type of Artist:
For schools: Highly energetic and interactive talk, creative writing workshops, readings
For schools and festivals: Highly energetic and interactive talks and creative writing workshops for children aged 5-14
For R-Y2: a half hour interactive storytelling workshop involving a 'magic box' of tiny objects which will help us to create the story together. Also a reading from one of Jo's books for young children
For Y3-9: flexible options including a focused talk on one of Jo's books, or a mixture of Jo's writing journey along with an interactive story creation exercise. Jo's books cover social issues such as body confidence, finding your voice, LGBTQ+, refugees, bullying, young carers and mixed families.
NEW for 2023:
- a one-hour talk about THE STARLIGHT STABLES GANG Jo's new series with equestrian YouTuber and influencer ThisEsme. Jo will talk about the process of working with a celebrity, host a fun quiz on the characters in the books, and create a horse-themed story with the help of audience ideas! Suitable for Y3-6.
- a one-hour Empathy Event based on Jo's training with the organisation EmpathyLab. An explanation of empathy and why it's important, along with fun interactive drama-based exercises to demonstrate different perspectives and the importance of listening. Jo will also use books to show how connecting with fictional characters can build our empathy skills. Suitable for Y3-8
Details
Preferred age range:7-13 but can be flexible
No of sessions per day:
Preferably 3 – can be mixture of talks/workshops.
Happy to work round school requirements.
Session Length:
60 mins for talk, plus time for signing
75 mins for workshop but can be flexible
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere if travel and overnight expenses are met.
I live near Oxford.
Transport:
Car 45p per mile
Train from Oxford Parkway station (also parking costs for the station car park)
Fees:
Please indicate which author you are interested in
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
Yes
Website:
Titles include:
JELLY - latest title
HOPEWELL HIGH books (Bloomsbury):
ALL TOO MUCH,
STAGE FRIGHT,
EAT CAKE AND RUN,
LIKE AND SHARE
A STORM OF STRAWBERRIES (JUNE 2017)
A LIBRARY OF LEMONS (MAY 2016)
ELECTRIGIRL (FEB 2016)
ELECTRIGIRL AND THE DEADLY SWARM (AUG 2016)
ELECTRIGIRL AND THE INVISIBLE THIEVES (MAY 2017)
LOOKING AT THE STARS ( 2014)
Testimonials:
“At her talk, Jo set our hall on fire and there was not one of the 360 students attending who wasn’t totally engaged with her performance. As an author Jo is creative and magical, but as an ex-teacher and ex-actor she has the performance skills to bring her words alive.”
Lynne Cooper, Burford School
“Jo's visit and her talk are still resonating at Didcot Girls’ School. She is a very engaging and entertaining speaker. The talk was lively, vibrant and inspiring and we never had a library so full of students waiting for book signing after the talk.”
Gordana Djakov, Didcot Girls’ School
"Hi Jo, just to say once again thanks so much for a great day, the girls loved you. I've rarely seen such a spontaneous expression of delight. You are a rock star in the writing world! It was such a pleasure to have you in and I hope you can come and visit us again soon!"
Mairead Duggan, Mount Carmel, Dublin
Published work:
Photos: