Author-led
Storytime Author Visit
The shortest, entry-level experience: an engaging story session and a chance for children to meet a real author.
Choose a page theme
Your choice will be remembered on this device.
Stories, confidence & creativity
School visits that bring stories to life.
As a Teaching Assistant, Christopher understands that author visits need to be affordable, flexible, and adaptable. Every experience can be shaped around your school.
Explore the experiences
Every school hasa story to tell
In-person experiences
Three author-led experiences
Start with Storytime, build creative skills in Story Builders, or create a professionally printed book together through The Story Partnership.
Every experience can be tailored to your pupils, timetable, needs, and budget—whether you are looking for a short, focused visit, a full-day workshop, or a unique longer-term publishing project.
Schools further afield can join Christopher online through Zoom or another meeting platform used by your school.
Teacher-led classroom resources offer another way to explore storytelling independently. The Story Partnership is a separate collaboration with Christopher across multiple visits.
Author-led
Story Builders Workshop
Building on the Storytime experience, this practical workshop develops story ideas and children’s confidence as writers and illustrators.
Author-led
The Story Partnership
Create a book together. Bring it to life. Watch your pupils become authors and illustrators through a longer-term partnership with Christopher.
In development
Something New Is Swimming Your Way... 🐠
A new classroom experience is currently in development.
Register your interestA friendly shell for little worries
Meet Ria, your worry companion
Christopher brings a plush Ria the Anxious Hermit Crab along to every in-person school visit. Inspired by a worry monster, Ria offers pupils a gentle way to share something that's on their mind.
Children who would like to can write down a worry and place it in Ria's shell. Teachers collect the worries at the end of the visit, giving them an opportunity to follow up with pupils and offer support.
Taking part is entirely optional, so every child can choose whether they'd like to share.
Want even more flexibility?
Teacher-led classroom resources
Explore Storytime, Story Builders and a school story project through flexible, teacher-led packs when an in-person visit is not practical or affordable. Each pack includes a physical copy of Ria the Anxious Hermit Crab, sent to your school by post. These independent resources are separate from the author-led Story Partnership and its publishing programme.
Teacher-led
Storytime – Classroom Resource
A flexible classroom resource that brings storytime and author insight into the classroom without the need for a school visit.
Teacher-led
Story Builders Workshop – Classroom Resource
A practical classroom resource that helps children understand how stories are structured and how they can create their own.
Teacher-led
Our School Story Project – Classroom Resource
A collaborative classroom project in which pupils contribute illustrations and ideas for a bespoke picture book.
Compare your experiences
Which format suits your school?
Use this planning overview to compare ages, duration, group size, outcomes, and delivery. Every experience can be adapted around your pupils, timetable, and school priorities.
Compare all experiences
| Experience | Format | Suitable ages | Duration | Group size | Key outcomes | Delivery method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storytime Author Visit | Reception–Year 6; adapted by age | Around 1.5–2 hours per class | One class at a time | Reading for pleasure, listening, confidence, and wellbeing discussion | In person, led by Christopher | |
| Story Builders Workshop | Years 1–6; activities adapted by age | Around 2–3 hours; can be split | One class at a time | Story structure, idea generation, writing, illustration, and confidence | In person, led by Christopher | |
| The Story Partnership | Primary age; tailored to participating pupils | Typically 6–10 visits across an academic year or a term | Selected groups, classes, or a wider school project | Collaborative writing, pupil artwork, and a professionally printed book | A series of author-led visits and book development | |
| Storytime – Classroom Resource | Teacher-led | Reception–Year 6; teacher adapts discussion | Flexible; fits the class timetable | One class or multiple classes | Reading, listening, anxiety awareness, and wellbeing discussion | Teacher-led pack with a physical copy of Ria sent by post |
| Story Builders Workshop – Classroom Resource | Teacher-led | Years 1–6; teacher adapts activities | Flexible; one lesson or several sessions | One class or multiple classes | Story structure, planning, writing, illustration, and creative confidence | Teacher-led pack with a physical copy of Ria sent by post |
| Our School Story Project – Classroom Resource | Teacher-led | Primary age; tailored by the teacher | Flexible project delivered over time | A class, year group, or wider school | Collaboration, creativity, school values, and shared authorship | Teacher-led pack with guidance, templates and a physical copy of Ria sent by post |
On smaller screens, scroll sideways to compare every column.
Making visits more accessible
Worried about your budget?
Christopher believes every child should have the opportunity to meet an author, regardless of their school's budget.
Alongside affordable workshop options, schools can choose to help fund their visit through advance orders of signed copies of Ria the Anxious Hermit Crab.
Funds raised through these orders can reduce—and, where order numbers allow, potentially cover—the cost of the visit. The amount contributed will depend on the number of books ordered and the experience selected.
Christopher provides:
- A professionally designed letter for parents and carers
- An order form, where required
- Guidance throughout the process
- Delivery of the books on the day of the visit
- Signed or personalised copies, where agreed in advance
Every school is different, so Christopher is happy to discuss an approach that works for your pupils, families, and budget.
Explore funding your visitWhat your visit can include
- Advance signed-book orders
- Funds raised can reduce the cost of the visit
- Adaptable author experiences
- Choose an option that suits your pupils, timetable, and budget
- Teacher-led classroom resources
- Continue learning beyond the visit
- Collaborative storytelling
- Pupils can contribute as writers and illustrators
Planning essentials
Availability & location
- Travel area
- Within 40 milesFrom Carlisle city centre, UK
- Remote author visits
- Available nationwideMeet via Zoom or your school’s preferred online platform
- Typical lead time
- 1–2 weeks
- Visit times
- School day or after schoolAfter-school club sessions are available by arrangement
- Teacher-led resource packs
- Available within 24 hours
Dates remain subject to confirmation. Travel outside the usual area may still be possible by arrangement.
Upcoming in-person availability
Month-level guidance only. Dates are confirmed after discussing your location, timetable, and chosen experience.
- Limited availability
- Available
- Available
- Limited availability
- Limited availability
- Limited availability
- Limited availability
- Limited availability
- Limited availability
- Please enquire
- Please enquire
- Please enquire
Need complete flexibility? Christopher works as a Teaching Assistant, so in-person availability is limited. Classroom Resource Editions are available to use at any time, including months when Christopher cannot visit.
For your classroom
Free teacher resources
Activity sheets, discussion prompts, lesson previews, and accessibility notes now live together in a dedicated resource library.
Simple from start to finish
Your booking journey
Clear communication and thoughtful preparation make it easy to organise a visit that works for your school.
First
Enquiry & requirements
Tell Christopher about your pupils, preferred dates, school priorities, accessibility needs, and the format that interests you.
Together
Confirmation
Christopher will discuss availability and recommend a suitable plan. The date, format, timetable, delivery, and pricing are then agreed.
Before the visit
Preparation
You will confirm practical details and share anything needed to adapt the session. Staff receive clear information to help everyone feel ready.
On the day
Visit day
Christopher arrives prepared to deliver an engaging, inclusive session shaped around the agreed plan and the pupils in the room.
Afterwards
Follow-up resources
Continue the conversation with relevant activities, prompts, and ideas that help pupils revisit their learning after the session.
Planning with confidence
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about arranging a school visit, from the first conversation to the day itself.
How far does Christopher travel for school visits?
Travel arrangements depend on the school’s location and the shape of the day. Include your postcode or town in the enquiry and Christopher will confirm availability, practical travel requirements, and any associated costs before you book.
How much does a visit cost?
Pricing is tailored to the format, number of sessions, preparation required, location, and any optional follow-up work. Once Christopher understands your requirements, you will receive a clear quote before anything is confirmed.
Can advance book orders help fund the visit?
Yes. Schools can offer families the opportunity to pre-order signed copies of Ria the Anxious Hermit Crab before the visit. Funds raised through those orders can reduce the workshop cost and, where order numbers allow, may cover it completely. Christopher provides a ready-made parent letter and can guide the school through the process. The amount raised will depend on the number of confirmed orders and the visit selected.
What safeguarding arrangements are needed?
Christopher has a valid DBS check and will follow the school’s visitor and safeguarding procedures. An appropriate member of school staff should remain present and responsible for pupils throughout every session. Please share relevant procedures during planning, without sending confidential pupil information through the website form.
Can sessions be adapted for accessibility and SEND needs?
Yes. Sessions can be adjusted through pacing, visual structure, participation choices, movement or sensory breaks, communication supports, and alternative ways to contribute. The class team knows its pupils best, so useful adaptations should be discussed before the visit.
What group sizes work best?
Storytime visits and workshops usually work best with one class at a time, while collaborative story projects can involve selected groups, classes, or the wider school. If you are planning an assembly or larger audience, include the expected number of pupils in your enquiry so an appropriate format can be discussed.
What equipment does the school need to provide?
Requirements vary by session, but may include a suitable teaching space, seating, a display or projector, speakers, and basic writing or drawing materials. Christopher will provide a simple checklist during preparation so there are no surprises on the day.
What happens if we need to cancel or rearrange?
Contact Christopher as early as possible if plans change. Any cancellation terms will be shared before confirmation, and reasonable efforts will be made to find an alternative date where availability allows.
Can a visit include book signing?
Book signing can often be included when arranged in advance. The school and Christopher will agree timing, how books are ordered or supplied, and how any payments are handled so the process is manageable and does not disrupt the school day.
Still unsure about something? Include your question in the enquiry form.
Plan your visit
Let's create the right experience for your pupils.
Tell Christopher about your school, preferred dates, and the experience that interests you. He'll then get back to you about availability, delivery, and pricing.
Book a school visit