Jo Simmons

Type of Artist:

Interactive talks, story making workshops and readings

I use lots of humour to walk children through the process of creating a story, from first ideas to finished book. I tell them about life as an author, how I got into writing for children and how long it takes me to write a book. I share some writing tips and hopefully inspire children to have a go at creating their own stories and believe in their own creativity. My presentations involve a PowerPoint of images, lots of questions to keep the children thinking and engaged, quizzes, reading extracts from my books and the chance for them to ask me questions. A story making workshop might involve exploring how to come up with an idea, how to develop a character, and how to make sure the plot is exciting and satisfying, through a series of short exercises.

Details

Any primary age children from Year 3 to Year 6.

Maximum of 3 sessions per day

Approx 45 minutes for a talk, questions and signing; about 60 minutes for a workshop

If travel and overnight expenses are met, anywhere. I live in Brighton in East Sussex.

Rail and taxi preferred.

Please email us for details

Please indicate which author you are interested in

No

My Parents Cancelled My Birthday
I Swapped My Brother on the Internet
The Dodo Made me do it

Super Loud Sam
Super Loud Sam and Birdman

'Jo was brilliant and the children absolutely loved her visit. She delivered a talk to year 3 and 4, and another to year 5 and six, also took the time to chat to a small group of children at lunchtime! The year 4 teachers spoke very highly of her workshop in the afternoon. I know they were so pleased with some of their reluctant writers who wrote a whole page after her session. She definitely inspired the children and we have one year 3 class who are particularly obsessed! Her books are on their 'What's Trending' board too - there's so much enthusiasm for them and for Jo's writing in the school now’

Smallberry Primary School, Isleworth

'Jo spoke about her own road to becoming a published writer and read from her book, both of which really captured the interest of the children. Jo answered the children’s questions with great respect, honesty and good humour. 
The children were engaged throughout and thoroughly enjoyed meeting her. 
She had a lovely manner with the children and communicated with them on a very appropriate level without being at all patronizing. The children were very enthused about the book and learning about becoming an author.'

Teacher, Stanford Junior School

'I accompanied Jo on a 1-day tour of schools in Lewes, East Sussex, to promote Pip Street: A Whiskery Mystery. Jo did a fantastic job and I had great feedback from the schools, who had all enjoyed the visit. We visited three different schools, and Jo spoke to quite a wide range of different group sizes and age ranges. One of the schools wanted all the pupils from Yr 1 right up to Yr 6 to see her, which can be quite challenging for an author, but Jo managed to keep them all enthralled!’

Anna Morgan, Owner of independent children’s bookshop Bags of Books in Lewes, East Sussex

Jo Simmons' Amazon site