A Selection of Vashti's Books
Vashti Hardy
Type of Artist:
Author talks, workshops and readings,
Vashti’s author talk centres around the power of reading, writing and imagination. It’s packed with practical writing tips to inspire the children (and teachers!), emphasising creative ways to spark ideas and build stories. The talks can also be focused on specific books within Vashti’s body of work, for example if the school uses Brightstorm as a key text.
Vashti’s inspirational fantasy map creation workshop teaches children creative techniques she uses as an author and will help the children with writing their own fantasy stories. During their map making, they will plot a quest using their own interests to spark their world-building. It’s a great springboard for longer story writing projects.
Details
Preferred age range:Author talks can be KS2 or include KS1 as well if preferred.
Maximum number in any one session:
Any number for author talks and generally a class size for workshops, but I’m flexible on how we can run the workshops for larger schools.
No of sessions per day:
Up to four sessions a day with flexibility.
Session Length:
45-60 for talk. 60 mins for workshop, but I can taylor it to suit the needs of the school.
Areas prepared to travel to:
Anywhere if travel and overnight expenses are met.
(I’m currently in the process of relocating back from Lancashire to West Sussex but hoping I’ll be there for February if all goes ahead!)
Transport:
Car 45ppm or train depending on location.
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
No
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
No
Website:
Twitter:
@vashti_hardy
Titles include:
The Brightstorm series (Brightstorm, Darkwhispers, Firesong, Serpent of the Sands), Wildspark, North and the Only One, The Griffin Gate series (The Puffin Portal, The Raven Riddle, The Weather Well), Harley Hitch series, Moonlight Mystery Agency series (first chapter books- perfect for KS1).
Testimonials:
‘It was an absolute honour to welcome Vashti to our school. Her workshops were engaging, inspiring, and sparked a genuine love of reading among the children. Through her guidance, they not only discovered the joy of books but also learned how to create imaginative worlds of their own. Her passion for literature shone through every session, leaving the children smiling, eager to dive into her wonderful stories, and brimming with creativity to write their own. Thank you, Vashti, for such a memorable visit!’
Mr N Warmouth, Churchfields Junior.
‘Thank you so much for your time last week. The children absolutely loved the workshop and the chance to meet a real life author! After your workshop, one of our more reluctant writers have even started writing their own story! They are much more inspired and motivated to become writers.’
Mrs J Elks, Wyndham Academy
‘Thank you so much for coming to visit us this week during our Book Week. You are a true inspiration to our budding writers and to our girls as readers too. And as women! Your Assembly had some great messages in it about equality and having the confidence to go ahead and do what you want to do, even if others doubt you. The workshops were super and I know the class teachers are extending the work they did with you to create stories – both orally as a storytelling exercise and in written form as well. The girls really enjoyed the freedom they had to create the worlds they wanted, nice to have no right or wrong!’
Mrs R Hickson Librarian James Allen’s Junior School
‘Thank you so much once again for an absolutely brilliant event yesterday. You were great, both teachers and children got a lot out of the presentations.’
Chiltern Bookshops
Other information:
I love meeting young readers and writers and sharing my passion for storytelling and creating absorbing fantasy worlds. It’s especially thrilling to see children who find reading and writing challenging come away from the sessions brimming with ideas and with renewed confidence and motivation.