David Bedford
"He provided all children with an understanding of the process of writing books and filled them with excitement to have a go themselves. I have had lots of positive feedback from the teachers and parents, commenting on how it has inspired their children to write. David has a lovely, warm manner with the children and is very approachable.
"Thank you, David, for providing interesting and engaging workshops at our school."
Literacy Co-ordinator, Orchard CE Primary, Leicestershire
Contents
About David
David's Books
Reviews
To make a booking
About David Bedford
As a child David was enthralled by stories read to him at school, though with few books in the house, it was only in his late teens that he began to read and discover books. David continued reading avidly through his studies to become a successful scientist. Eventually his love of stories, and a desire to write his own, led him towards becoming an author. David has written over 60 books for children, published in 30 countires and 26 languages worldwide, from Turkey to Thailand, Australia to Iceland and many countries in between!
School visits are an integral part of David’s writing. He enjoys meeting his audience, and writes directly for them. He believes creativity abounds in young minds, and can be quickly drawn out and nurtured, particularly when making up stories.
David has visited schools throughout the UK and overseas, from Orkney in Scotland to International British and American Schools in Spain. He has given talks for trainee teachers, cub scouts, and a Dads and Lads club; he’s performed at the Roald Dahl Museum, in a shopping mall, along a woodland trail, at festivals big and small, and for many, many schools. David currently lives and works in North Norfolk.
Everyone is creative - everyone can make up a story.
David encourages reading and writing in fun, interactive talks and workshops on everything to do with creativity, writing and being an author. Talks and workshops are suitable for all ages from Foundation Stage through Primary and up to and including Year 7.
Audience sizes range from entire school assemblies to single classes and small groups. Workshops are suitable for whole year groups, classes, or selected groups (‘reluctant readers’, Gifted & Talented, etc.). Talks and workshops are adapted to each event and can easily be linked to relevant themes. From bedtime stories and jokey flap books to designing robots and writing about sport - whatever suits the event.
Every child gets to think and be involved, either verbally and physically in large groups (with vocal games – and a funky dance!), and by completing individual work in class.
When David visits a school he will begin the day with a School assembly, with all year groups or selected year groups, this lasts for 30mins, this presentation in assembly is followed by class sized workshops, which can be crafted to suit your schools timetable.
Preschool, Nursery and Reception
David uses his flap books such as ’Knock! Knock!’ and ’Tums’, as well as first picture books like ’Big Bear Little Bear’. The children get involved by guessing what’s under the flap, handling the touch-and-feel stories, and by meeting cuddly toys and puppet characters from the books. Afterwards they can make their own ’Knock Knock’ flap book in a short workshop suitable for all abilities – sometimes presenting their finished work in assembly at the end of the day. Workshops last for 30mins.
Key Stage 1
A more expansive picture book talk often includes How a Picture Book is Made, where David shows the various stages of a book’s production. Workshops last 45mins involve each child brainstorming ideas and presenting them as a picture book cover and story outline.
Key Stage 2
Talks include What an Author Does, Writing Tricks and How To Have Ideas. Workshops last for 45mins or 90 mins with a break, and can be more advanced picture book design, or the creation of a personalised robot character for a story, as demonstrated by the 'Football Machine' series (this workshop is not usually about football - but it can be!).
Year 7+
The 'Football Machine' series, suitable for ages 7-11, is used for transitional classes with workshops similar to those done with Year 5/6. More advanced talks and workshops for Year 7 can be arranged, with author interviews, story analysis, creativity and wrting tips etc. Workshops last for 45mins or 90mins, with a break.
A sample schedule for a UK primary school:
Equipment required:
A CD player with good sound. Photocopies of a worksheet for R and sometimes KS 1. In bigger venues a microphone.
Image of David in Schools (2 images to choose from) again put image on the left with the workshop details wrapped around on the left
9.15am – 9.45 Whole school assembly with introductions and reading a short warm-up book
9.50 – 10.30 Reception/Yr1
break
11.00 – 12.00 Yrs 2/3/4
lunch
1pm – 2.30 Yrs 5/6
2.40 – 3.00 Whole School Assembly showing work
3.15 Book Sale and signing.
David Bedford's Books
David has an OLYMPICS themed picture book due out in 2012,
featuring Titus the T-Rex!
Excerpt from The Dinosaur Games (Macmillan):
Long ago by a bubbling volcano
They held the Great Dinosaur Games
And all of the sporty young reptiles
Had to line up and call out their names.Titus the T-Rex roared loudest.
He said, 'I'm a tough lizard king.
There's no point in trying to beat me,
I'm going to win EVERYTHING!'
Recommendations and Reviews
"David spent two days at our school in January. His whole school assembly was entertaining and the children loved joining in with the George Thing dance. David carried out workshops with all year groups across the school. The children were thoroughly engaged with what David was saying and enjoyed the workshops. David’s activities were thoughtful and relevant to each of the different age groups. He provided all children with an understanding of the process of writing books and filled them with excitement to have a go themselves. I have had lots of positive feedback from the teachers and parents, commenting on how it has inspired their children to write. David has a lovely, warm manner with the children and is very approachable.
" Thank you, David, for providing interesting and engaging workshops at our school."
Literacy Co-ordinator, Orchard CE Primary, Leicester
"Please thank David again for all his work with the kids. They really enjoyed it, as did all the teachers. If he ever pays us another visit I promise we’ll have a special saucer lined up for him! Anyway, thanks to Easyjet looks like he’ll get a few more days off..."
Peter's School, Barcelone, Spain
"Thank you so much for the visit yesterday. All the staff and children at Aslacton thoroughly enjoyed it; a large number of my class would now like to become authors!"
Aslacton Primary, Norfolk
"Dear David, I meant to contact you sooner about the wonderful story time you did for us at the Sure Start Children’s Center in Bowthorpe. I guess it is always useful to have some feedback from these events. We found it hard to believe that you have only done a few events with this age group as your approach was spot on, and you seemed very confident when dealing with the children. (I guess being a parent is a big help!) We all really enjoyed your stories and my son, Oscar, really loves his copy of "Mo’s smelly jumper". He especially likes the bit where the animals all fall in the mud and get dirty. I have recommended you to others in the library service who may wish to do similar events."
Literacy Development Worker, Earlham Library, Norfolk County Council
"David visited our school last year as part of our Pyramid Book Week celebrations. He entertained children from the age of 3 years up to 9 years of age. He shows a positive attitude towards the children and a strong ability to communicate effectively with them. His talks were enjoyed by pupils, staff and governors. He was funny and inspiring. David will be back to help us celebrate Book Week next year."
Literacy and Assessment Co-ordinator, Castle Hill Infant School, Ipswich
To Make a Booking
To make an enquiry about David Bedford, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please email Trevor Wilson at trevor@caboodlebooks.co.uk
or phone him on +44 (0) 1535 656015
Further information on David Bedford is available from http://www.david-webb.info