Big Walk to Little Schools

“Cornwall Libraries was fortunate to work with Catherine to deliver sessions in library sites and at nearby schools. We tied these visits in with some bulk registration of new library joiners, and used them to strengthen our own partnerships with schools. The opportunity to provide schools with FREE, inspirational activities and talks was invaluable. The schools that took part were extremely grateful for the opportunity – with St Breock School stating ‘ Meeting an enthusiastic author who writes about real things has given hope and aspiration to our children who have attended’. For us, the walk was a huge success and it would be great to see other areas of England receiving the same opportunity.”
— Andrew Varker | Education Library Service Young Person’s Library Service Co-ordinator Cornwall Council

So far I have walked from: Land’s End in Cornwall to my home Hay on Wye!

Huge thanks to Amy Husband illustrator of our Story of series for my fabulous logo; to Bloomsbury Publishing (UK), Otter-Barry Books and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for support and free books for all participating schools.

See my blog for a photo gallery

In March 2025 I began an adventure – walking from Cornwall to Scotland to share my stories about nature and the environment in schools and libraries along the way – over time. I am absolutely thrilled to be supported by Arts Council National Lottery Grant Funding for Phase 1 Cornwall to Hay-on-Wye by June 2026, which means I can offer FREE author events along the way. Steve Williams, co-author of The Story of series joined me for the first week of this leg – celebrating 10 years of our book series.

I hope this adventure sparks curiosity, conversations, classroom activities, reading and action to care for our plane. I love the collaborative journey of working with scientists, communities, illustrators and publishers to create the books that have inspired this project. This Big Walk means I will spend more time this year outside experiencing nature rather than inside in front of a computer screen.

I am looking forward to learning, celebrating and sharing these experiences. I know I will discover new things, new places and meet new people. I am also pretty sure I will get lost and and get wet and I embrace all of that too.

With the support of my publishers offering gift books, I have launched a nature writing competition My Little Walk in Nature to primary aged children in participating schools*.

I also providing schools with a template encouraging children to decorate bunting with illustrations of Nature I Love to celebrate local nature with school-picked winners up for prize books kindly donated by my publishers.

Please keep in touch - I welcome your feedback and ideas.  To follow my journey…  

@catherinebarrbooks on Instagram 

 

Setting off with co-author of our Story of series… Steve Williams, who joined me on Leg 1

Thanks Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) for this lovely map - new venues will be added.

A HUGE THANK YOU…

I am so grateful for the support and free school books by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and fabulous logo by Story of book series illustrator Amy Husband. This lovely map and prize books are provided by Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) and free library books are offered by Otter-Barry Books to participating schools.

I am so grateful to libraries for so enthusiastically organising events and all local bookshops who have supported this journey by stocking my books.

Participating schools and libraries (in date order)

Sandy Hill Academy, St Austell (School site visit)

Mount Charles School, St Austell (School site visit)

Carclaze Community Primary, St Austell (School site visit)

Five Islands Academy, Isles of Scilly (School site visit)

St Mary’s Library, Isles of Scilly (open)

St Mary’s CofE School, Penzance (Hosted by Penzance Library)

Pensans CP School, Penzance (Hosted by Penzance Library)

St Buryan Academy Primary School, St Bryan (Hosted by Penzance Library)

St Ives Junior School (School site visit)

St Uny C of E Academy, St Ives (School site visit)

Bodriggy Academy, Hayle (School site visit)

Hayle Library (open)

Lanner School, (Hosted by Redruth Library)

Trewirgie Junior School (Hosted by Redruth Library)

The Bishops’ CofE Learning Academy (Hosted by Newquay Library)

St Breock Primary School (Two events hosted by Wadebridge Library)

St Minver School (School site visit)

Bude Primary Academy - Juniors (Two events hosted by Bude Library + school site visit)

Eat-The-Water Primary School, Bideford Library

Pilton Bluecoat Academy, Barnstable Library

Public event, Barnstable Library

Public event, Clevedon Library

Public event, Portishead Library

Chepstow Library, The Dell Primary School

Monmouth Library, Osbaston Primary School

Primary School, Hay on Wye (Hay on Wye Library)

Longtown Community Primary School (school site visit)

Michealchurch Escley Primary School (school site visit)