Have a Wonderful Day of stories, writing and drawing with Shoo Rayner "...it was a brilliant day which the children and adults loved!"
I've now written and illustrated over one hundred and forty books that span the ability and interest of primary school children. I've visited hundreds of schools and libraries at home and abroad and have built up a vast wealth of experience which I love to share with children and teachers alike. As I also illustrate my books, you get an author and an illustrator combined, but storytelling is my real passion. Here's a video I made to explain about the Appollo space missions that introduces me and my style.
Visit my Drawing School video website for more videos www.shoo-tube.com.
"Thank you, Shoo, for a brilliant day. We are all fizzing with excitement!! Every child really enjoyed your amazing talks - they are all reading your books frantically. They have been inspired and motivated, taking your advice to invent characters and use mind mapping to write their stories, from the youngest child to the oldest pupil in school."
email from this site or call Shoo on 01594 837386.
I love telling stories and drawing the pictures too! Any audience - any age - schools, libraries, art colleges, festivals or conferences to children, students or grown-ups. I've a huge amount of experience in schools and you will find me fun, confident, enthusiastic and very hard-working.
Why invite me?
You know my books and enjoy them.
You want inspiration to read, write and draw more.
You want your pupils to be really excited after the visit and your library borrowings to go up.
Your pupils have read or studied one or more of my books
You want to give pupils an enjoyable, mind-broadening experience
"I can confidently say that writing and reading in this school have received a tremendous boost from your visit. We will enthusiastically recommend you to every literacy co-ordinator at the next network meeting."
What I do
Storytelling - I choose a suitable story, explain where the ideas came from, show how to draw the characters and we all have a huge load of fun. I love to teach the children how to draw the characters. This often gives the children "ownership" of the character and makes them want to write about the character too.
Writing Workshops - I'm dyslexic, so I've worked out my own strategies for writing - This session is frequently an inspiration to boys who see there are different ways of going about writing. I pick a theme and try to spin a story for the children to work on using techniques I have developed over the years. We usually come up with a rough first draft synopsis for the children to carry on working with.
Crazy Projects - I usually wish I'd never said yes, but by the end I'm glad I did! - I'm open to ideas for crazy projects you might have in mind. I'm also very happy to open school libraries and be involvedin other events too.
I can work with many themes including Vikings, Space, "Horror", Creation Myths and Adventure. I love working with the infants - reception and nursery too!
Please feel free to get in touch by email or phone 01594 837386 to discusss your ideas.
TRAVEL - I live in the Forest of Dean - that's on the Welsh side of the big loop in the River Severn. I'm happy to travel anywhere, home or abroad.
Booking me - I am a busy person, but I do like to say yes! An author's schedule is quite elastic so I may just be able to fit you in.
Don't hesitate to email from this site or phone 01594 837386 I'll be very happy to talk to you.
