A Selection of Sean's Books
Sean Taylor
Type of Artist:
Lively, fun-filled sessions designed to inspire young readers and writers.
Sean is the bestselling author of over 60 books. He has 30 years’ experience working in schools. He offers both meet-the-author assemblies and creative writing workshops for year-groups and individual classes.
His sessions are lively and interactive, with ingredients carefully chosen according to age. These range from finger-rhymes from his book FIVE LITTLE FRIENDS, to riddles, storytelling, poems, readings from his books, join-in songs, and Q&A sessions.
On visits to schools, Sean always looks to get children writing. With Key Stage 1 this may mean coming up with a group poem. With Key Stage 2 he has a wide range of prompts to help children put pen to paper themselves.
Sean offers INSET sessions on working with poetry for teachers. And he is happy to liaise with a local bookseller to organise a sale of signed books.
Details
Preferred age range:Pre-school, reception, Key Stages 1 & 2.
Maximum number in any one session:
Sean is happy to do assembly-style sessions with very large groups. A single class is the ideal size for his more focussed poetry-writing sessions.
No of sessions per day:
Flexible. Always willing to discuss a schedule, in order to come up with an author visit that’s just right for a school.
Session Length:
20 – 60 minutes, depending on year group.
Areas prepared to travel to:
Sean is based in Bristol, so the South West, south Wales, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset are within easy reach. He has family in Surrey, Hertfordshire and London, so overnight expenses may not be necessary for schools thereabouts.
Transport:
Sean travels by train and bicycle whenever possible. But he does drive and will do a round trip of up to 50 miles for free. (Once over 50 miles, he charges 45p per mile if travelling by car.)
Fees:
Please indicate which author you are interested in
DBS/CRB:
Yes. Enhanced DBS updated annually.
Website:
Titles include:
For Key Stage 1:
You’re a Poet – Ways to Start Writing Poems
The Dream Train – Poems for Bedtime
When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth (Winner of Oscar’s Book Prize 2024)
Hoot Owl – Master of Disguise (Winner of Hampshire Book Award 2017)
Natterjack Toad Can’t Believe It
MONSTER! HUNGRY! PHONE!
I Am Actually a Penguin
The Snowbear
I Want to Be in a Scary Story
Don’t Call Me Choochie Pooh!
A Brave Bear
Robot Rumpus (Winner of The Scottish Book Award 2015)
The World Champion of Staying Awake
Fiddlesticks!
When a Monster is Born (Winner of Portsmouth Book Award 2008)
For Key Stage 2
Where The Bugaboo Lives! (Winner of Coventry Inspiration Book Award 2017)
Riding a Donkey Backwards – Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla Nasruddin (Winner of Middle East Book Award 2019)
The Great Snake – Stories from the Amazon
Purple Class and the Skelington
Purple Class and the Flying Spider
Purple Class and the Half-Eaten Sweater
Nature books for 5 - 9 year-olds
Winter Sleep
Busy Spring
Wild Summer
Autumn Feast
Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks and other incredible creature features
Testimonials:
“We were having a poetry week at school and wanted to start it with a workshop to inspire the children's creativity, so that we could then build on that during the week. Well my goodness it worked! I would thoroughly recommend inviting Sean to come into your school and share his enthusiasm and love of poetry with your children. We felt it was worth every penny. Laura Brown, English Subject Leader, St Nicholas Primary School, Porton.
“The children find poem writing enjoyable and not a chore. I have certainly had my eyes opened to the potential of children in my class having observed the work that they produced with Sean.” Carolyn Lunley, teacher, Blue Gate Fields School, London.
“Sean had no problem keeping a room full of three to six-year-olds bright-eyed and wide awake with his drum, his enchanting stories, his hilarious riddles, and some group poetry writing ¬– which gave the children simple, effective ways to create their own rhymes. Many parents commented afterward on how inspiring his workshop was and how wonderful it was to see their children so engaged.” Maria Tunney, Editor, Walker Books.
“Sean had a very good relationship with all the children. They looked forward to his visits very much. All the staff and children really enjoyed the poetry assemblies.” Jo Pruden, Language Coordinator, Shapla Primary, London.
“I really felt like somebody today.” Saleha Miah, workshop participant, Central Foundation School, London.
Published work:
Other information:
’Where The Bugaboo Lives' illustrated by Neal Layton has won the 2017 Hampshire Illustrated Book Award, to be presented in February 2018. This is chosen by 7000 Year 5 children.
Photos:
