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I’m Elizabeth Baguley, an author writing mainly picture-books.  My first, Meggie Moon (Little Tiger Press, 2005), is the story of a little girl who, undaunted by the two tough boys whom she encounters in The Yard, a place of rubbish and stone-throwing, proves that girls are every bit as good as boys.  It’s a story mainly about using imaginative play.  This book was chosen as the Times book of the week when it was first published, and also received very positive reviews in the Telegraph and the Scotsman.  Like my other books, it uses lots of wordplay.

A Long Way From Home (Little Tiger Press 2007), the story of Moz the rabbit on an albatross-borne journey to the land of the Frozen North, was shortlisted in 2008 for the UKLA children’s book award for its innovative use of language.  My other two picture books, The Little Lost Robin and Little Pip and the Rainbow Wish (both with Little Tiger Press) deal with friendship.

My most recent story to be published is a short story in an anthology: Winter Tales, (Stripes Publishing, 2008) aimed at children in Keystage 2.  Like many of my other stories, it is heavily atmospheric. I love places and weathers, and many of my stories reflect that.  As a storyteller, I tell both traditional stories and stories of my own making.

I offer workshops to any Keystage.  I have worked as a teacher in both primary and secondary schools and use my teaching background to full effect.  In Keystages 1 and 2, I usually run storybuilding workshops which help children to use their imagination.  Often, I use props: with Meggie Moon, the children build “sets” out of recycled materials and found objects, and I use a mixture of role-play and story-telling in helping them to explore the text or establish a new story. I sometimes use paint-devils or large pieces of fabric, including a beautiful piece of rainbow cloth, to stimulate a story.

In Keystage 3, I work similarly but usually give the sessions an oral storytelling slant so that there is some emphasis on performance – or, sometimes, the act of writing. 

With Keystages 4 and 5, I work with groups to understand the writing of picture-book texts and the issues surrounding them.  I have worked with sixth-formers on English Language AS/A level original writing coursework centred on writing for children.

I am used to working with children and generally start with sitting in a circle.  The activities are both language-based and kinaesthetic.

Group-sizes: usually up to 30, but I have given story-telling performances for groups of up to 250.  Small groups (gifted and talented pupils) are equally welcome.

I generally work for 3/4 sessions a day, depending on the school’s requirements and am happy to perform as a storyteller or talk in assembly.

 “Your input spanned FS2 and both primary keystages, and was appropriate and engaging for all the children, who thoroughly enjoyed the sessions”.  (Notts primary school)

Shortlisted for the UKLA children’s book award 2008 for A Long Way From Home (illustrated by Jane Chapman)

I’ve twice performed at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with my stories.  Not an award, but a great honour!