I have been a children’s author and a music educationalist for over twenty years, combining writing with school visits for the last five years, and I am still at the coal face, teaching music and drama to KS1 and foundation on a very part time basis.
I have published over 90 books, including fiction appropriate to every year group, boys and girls, in primary school.
My latest series, ‘School Friends’, takes place in a boarding school for girls called Silver Spires. It is being dubbed ‘MaloryTowers for the Millennium,’which I like! The first 6 books came out in August 08 and I am currently working on the next 6 which will be published in August 09.
I love my work!
School visits
I give interactive talks with plenty of variation and fun built in, to Foundation, KS1 and KS2 children. For younger children I like to blend literacy with music and dance. For older children I always leave the teacher with a literacy initiative to take away. I introduce the children to my books and show how a book comes to fruition from the seeds of ideas in my head to publication. I also give a taste of the life of an author.
I never read for too long!
I am happy to talk to separate year groups or to mix them, and am used to talking to very large groups of children, including doing assembly presentations.
A typical day would be a talk to Reception, and KS1 (45 mins), a talk to Yrs 3 and 4 (1 hour), a talk to Yrs 5 and 6 (1 hour) and a signing session.
‘We have been lucky enough to have had many authors over the years but Ann is the most dynamic author I have had the privilege to listen to. She is an inspiration to all of us!’ (Alison Beauchamp-Ward, FrithManorPrimary School)
‘I have attended many events with Ann and every event is talked about long after the day.’ (Caroline Elcombe, Creative Active Reading)
‘The class were enthralled by the superb combination of storytelling, music, movement and poetry. Many thanks for making our morning come alive’. (Emma Jenkins, HadlowPrimary School)
‘Combining a fine ear for dialogue with an innate understanding of children’s lives, Ann’s writing is lively and immediate and will appeal to all fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Anne Fine.’ (Megan Larkin, Fictional Editorial Director: Usborne Publishing)
‘A parent has just contacted me to tell me that Ann’s books have completely got her daughter into reading. She spent the weekend trying to find the rest of the Silver Spires series. She is absolutely delighted.’ (Message from Wimbledon Bookfest organizers to Ann’s publisher after event in October 08)
Awards
‘One Mom Too Many’ won the Independent Book Publishers Awards for Best Juvenile/YA fiction in 2004 (U.S.A.)
‘Teaching KS1 Music’ won Music Publishers Best New Product Award 2002
Book list
BOOKS FOR 3 – 6 YEAR OLDS
Bad Cat, Ned!, £3.99,
Jack, the Pet Duck, £3.99,
But, Mum!, £3.99,
The Super Trolley Ride, £3.99,
The Great Swimming Race, £3.99,
Kimberley’s Scary Day, £3.99,
Who’s at the Zoo?, £3.99,
Raindrop Bill, £3.99,
Tag!, £3.99,
Let’s Dance, £3.99*,
BOOKS FOR 6 - 10 YEAR OLDS (each packaged with a CD of a piece of classical music which ‘matches’ the story)
Wasp Alert in Minibug Bonanzaland, £6.95,
The Incredible Spinning Wheel, £6.95,
William, the Crack Shot Kid, £6.95,
Crazy Alien Ball, £6.95,
Jupiter Cove, £6.95,
Billy Briggs, Big on Skates, £6.95,
BOOKS FOR 7 – 11 YEAR OLDS
Billie and the Parent Plan, £4.99,
(The books below are from the series ‘Ballerina Dreams’)
Poppy’s Secret Wish, £3.99,
Jasmine’s Lucky Star, £3.99,
Rose’s Big Decision, £3.99,
Dancing Princess, £3.99,
Dancing with the Stars, £3.99,
Dancing For Ever, £3.99,
The Christmas Nutcracker, £4.99,
BOOKS FOR 9 – 13 YEAR OLDS
(The books below are from the series ‘Families in a Step-Chain’)
One Mum’s Enough, £4.99,
Girls Mean Trouble, £4.99,
She’s No Angel, £4.99,
Little Miss Perfect, £4.99,
(The books below are from the series ‘School Friends’ )
I have been a children’s author and a music educationalist for over twenty years, combining writing with school visits for the last five years, and I am still at the coal face, teaching music and drama to KS1 and foundation on a very part time basis.
