David Bedford
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I was born in coastal Devon in 1969, spent my later childhood on a vibrant housing estate in
Although I have always been captivated by books, after school I studied to become a scientist, and worked for several years on gene cloning and antibiotics. Eventually I decided to switch back to the world of stories, and I have been a full-time writer for children since 1997.
I have written around fifty books for children, published in twenty eight countries and twenty four languages around the world.
Books
The Football Machine series
A series of 6 (soon to be 9) junior novels about an inspirational boy and girl football team, for reading ages 7-11. This series has proved to be popular amongst otherwise reluctant readers (whom I identify with rather well) and is the backbone of my workshops for older children. The series is published internationally, in the
Picture Books
My most popular book has been the best-selling Big Bear Little Bear, about a polar bear cub and his mother, though I also write funny books such as Shaggy Dog and the Terrible Itch, and books that deal with playground and child behavioural issues, such as Hound Dog, Leon Bites and most recently It’s a George Thing!
Toddler Books
I use humour and novelty elements (‘guess what’s under the flap?’) to write entertaining books about early childhood topics, titles including ‘Who’s Laughing?’ ‘Big and Small’, ‘Toes’ and ‘Tums’. A new series is more for boys: ‘Tractor Tractor’, ‘Tipper Tipper’, and ‘Digger Digger’ are all rhyming board books about opposites.
Workshops
Typical audiences are nursery and primary aged children in schools, libraries, and children’s centres (Surestart), and all ages in bookshops and at festivals. I’ve given talks at the
Preschool, Nursery and Reception
I use my 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 story ’Hairy Monkey’, and by meeting cuddly toy characters from the books. Afterwards they can make their own ’Knock Knock’ flap book with my supplied pages, suitable for all abilities.
Key Stages 1 and 2
I tend to talk about longer picture books and ’The Football Machine’ series, and I can tailor talks to particular topics such as such as How a Book is Made (where I show the various stages of a book’s production), What an Author Does, Writing Tricks, and How to Have Ideas (with my own Idea Generator game).
Talks are flexible and as interactive as possible, from children making their own books, stories or designs in class-size groups, to straight performances for larger groups - whatever suits a particular school.
Large presentations are limited to three per day; smaller groups allow up to five shorter presentations per day. I enjoy whole school assemblies, particularly for introduction or to close with presentations of children’s work done that day.
Feedback
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,
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David Bedford 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
Awards
It’s a George Thing!, my latest picture book, was shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Award 2008
Superteam, Book 4 in The Football Machine series, was shortlisted for the Lancashire School Library Service Fantastic Book Award 2006.
The Copy Crocs was Shortlisted for the Portsmouth Book Award, 2005.
Book list
Please visit my website for a full list of my books in print.
