A Selection of Paul's Books
Video:
Paul Geraghty
Type of Artist:
Hilarious, inspirational and very informative presentation on how books are made from concept, writing, presentation, rough drawings to finished illustration and final book using real artwork as examples and leaving behind signed, coloured drawings done on the day for resale or display.
Storytelling, anecdotes, animal noises and actions, accompanied by live drawing and slideshow!
Every presentation is different but will include elements of the following;
An introductory drawing, TV presenter style- ‘How it is not done’
'Readings' from my books, whilst drawing and showing slides simultaneously, or
Storytelling whilst drawing (if no projection facilities are available)
An interactive talk on ideas for stories
The stories behind some ideas that became books (as well as some that didn’t!)
A ‘proper’ drawing in front of the group, (showing how a picture is built up, starting with a mess and gradually developing form)
Demonstration of a variety of facial expressions through quick sketches during the telling of a story
All illustrated with actual examples of idea doodle-sheets, presentation thumbnails (a kind of cartoon strip miniature of the story used to show to editors), rough drawings, finished illustrations, proof prints, the book as a large running sheet - prior to cutting -, bound proofs and finally the finished book, which is then read to the group, all followed by questions from the group.
Details
Preferred age range:4 – 12 plus adults
Maximum number in any one session:
Up to 100 - 150
No of sessions per day:
Two or three sessions (3 if more than 300 children in the school)
Session Length:
60 - 80 minutes
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere if overnight expenses are met.
Transport:
Car @ 45p/mile
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
Yes, up to £10 million
Website:
Titles include:
Slobcat,
Solo,
The Hunter,
Dinosaur in Danger,
Tortuga,
The Hoppameleon,
Rotten & Rascal,
Help Me!,
The Great Green Forest,
Look out Patrick!
The Cross-with-us Rhinoceros,
Over the Steamy Swamp,
Pig,
The Wonderful Journey,
The Giraffe who got in a Knot and more
Testimonials:
"Thank you for visiting us today, the presentations were lively and engaging... you must be exhausted! Staff and children have commented how much they enjoyed them. We have decided to have your drawings framed; they will be a permanent reminder of a wonderful day."
Lin Rea - Astwood Bank First School
"Many thanks for visiting our school - great feedback from one and all - the best is always things like, 'X has spent all afternoon writing and illustrating a story. Normally X doesn't like writing but this afternoon I couldn't stop him!'"
Cathy Whalley - Upper Beeding Primary School, West Sussex
"Just wanted to say how thrilled my son was to have met you at school last week. He hasn't stopped talking about your books and says 'book' in that enchanting way that you did to the kids! Your drawings and stories so appeal to his inquisitive nature and attention to detail are just what he likes. I found your oratory skills wonderful, you took me on a real journey. You give everything you do so much and it shows through your books and meeting you."
Ali - Sandhurst
Thank you for visiting St Anne's today. The children had a really fantastic time and they're all fired up about reading, writing and illustrating - just what we wanted.
Lots of the adults had just as much fun I think!
Your beautiful sketches are going to be framed and displayed somewhere prominent!
St Annes
I just wanted to write and thank you for your visit on Wednesday. You had all the children and staff enthralled. We will treasure your art for ever.
Hopefully you will be able to visit us again but now you are world famous on the book circuit you may go beyond our reach!
Birchwood Grove Primary School, Burgess Hill
The children are still automatically ‘switching on’ when they hear your name mentioned, borrowing your books from our libraries and searching for those frogs. You really did provide them with a day of inspiration.
St George's British International School, Rome
Thanks for a great day yesterday, everyone is saying how much they enjoyed it. I hear you were inundated with visitors. I can also report that my 12 year old was inspired to find his sketch book and sketch last night after reading your dinosaur book - beats the x-box!
Deborah Canner, East Sheen Primary School
Published work:
Other information:
Paul Geraghty, born in South Africa in 1959, grew up among wild animals and began drawing from an early age. In spite of the idyllic surroundings, he chose to spend his childhood fighting the Second World War alongside his best friend. At school he took requests and drew aeroplanes for his classmates. He wrote and illustrated stories about the war.
When peace returned he completed a degree in Fine Art and English with Higher Diploma in Education at the University of Natal. He funded his student life by playing keyboards in a band on weekends. He painted for a year, taught English and Art for two, then worked as a copywriter for a year, winning awards in the U.K. and U.S.A.
Since moving to England in 1986 he has been an author/illustrator of children's picture books and teenage fiction, often visiting schools, libraries and colleges as well as conducting the occasional writers' workshop.
He is very fond of words, and travels extensively in search of them. His picture book The Hunter was short listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration, and won the Earthworm Award (sponsored by Friends of the Earth), while Solo won the Children's Book Award. More recently, Tortuga and Rotten & Rascal have both won awards in France.
Photos: