Type of Artist:
Schools: Assembly style talks, workshops, virtual sessions.
Non-school events: Festival talks, interviews, panel events, readings & book signings.
Assembly style talk
Years 5,6&7 (50 mins): This talk covers my writing journey and the inspiration for my books. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, short readings, an interactive group story-writing exercise and Q&A. This talk can be adapted for an adult or mixed adult/child audience for a non-school event.
Reception–Year 2 students (30 mins): This talk focusses on the Princess Minna stories. It includes a short PowerPoint presentation, a storytelling and a Q&A.
Virtual talk (Skype/Zoom etc)
Years 5,6&7 (Approx 45 mins): This virtual talk includes a PowerPoint presentation and a Q&A.
Reception–Year 2 students (Approx 25 mins): This virtual talk includes a storytelling and a Q&A.
Workshops
Years 5,6&7 (50 mins): I offer creative writing workshops focussing on character, setting and plot.
Reception-Year 2 students (30 mins): I offer creative writing workshops inspired by the Princess Minna stories.
My sessions are particularly suited to Years 5,6&7 (The Middler/TrooFriend/The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke) or Reception-Year 2 (the Princess Minna stories.) However, I can adapt all my sessions to suit a Year 3&4 audience too, for full school visits.
Talks – any size, but microphone preferred for groups over 150 Workshops - up to 35
Maximum 3 x 50 min sessions or 5 x 30 min sessions (or equivalent)
Years 5,6&7:
Assembly Style Talk – 50 mins (includes Q&A) plus signing.
Workshops – 50 mins plus signing.
Virtual session – Approx 45 minutes (includes Q&A)
Reception – Year 2:
Assembly Style Talk – 30 mins (includes Q&A) plus signing.
Workshops – 30 mins plus signing.
Virtual session – Approx 25 minutes (includes Q&A)
Within 2 hours travelling distance of Winchester, or further if overnight expenses are met.
Public transport or car depending on the location. Petrol charged at 45 pence per mile.
Yes
Princess Minna: The Big Bad Snowy Day (published autumn 2022)
Princess Minna: The Enchanted Forest (published May 2022)
Princess Minna: The Unicorn Mix-Up (published May 2022)
The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke (published May 2021)
TrooFriend (published April 2020)
The Middler (published April 2019)
"I would highly recommend Kirsty to any school looking to inspire their children to love reading and writing."
Mrs C – School Library Manager
"Kirsty’s Skype session was really interesting, well paced and varied. She used props and readings – and even music! – to entertain and engage the Y5 class."
Mrs P – Teacher
"Kirsty kept a hall full of Year Sevens enthralled and engaged as she read from her book, The Middler, and discussed the inspirations behind it."
Mrs B – School Librarian
Nosy Crow have produced activity sheets and teaching resource packs for Kirsty’s books:
https://www.kirstyapplebaum.co.uk/schools
My virtual presentations include:
Virtual talk (Approx 45 mins) - particularly suited to Years 5,6&7. This session includes a talk about me and my books plus a Q&A. It lasts approximately 45 minutes depending on how many questions are asked in the Q&A.
Virtual talk (Approx 25 mins) – particularly suited to Years Reception-Year 2. This session focusses on the Princess Minna books. It includes a storytelling and a Q&A. It lasts approximately 25 minutes depending on how many questions are asked in the Q&A.
My virtual talks are suitable for groups of any size, within the limits of the digital platform used. I am familiar with Zoom and am able to host Zoom sessions (up to 100 participants) but I’m also happy to use other platforms if preferred. I politely request that my visits are not recorded, but am very happy for photographs to be taken.