Big Walk to Little Schools
On my literary walking adventure from Cornwall to Scotland, I am now walking from Hay to Hawes in Phase 2 of this exciting venture. I am thrilled that I have the continued support of Arts Council Lottery Grant funding enabling me to offer schools and libraries free author visits along the way .
“Fantastic and inspiring! The children loved Catherine’s visit and can’t wait to hear about the next part of her adventure and read more of her books.”
See my blog for a photo gallery
In March 2025 I began an adventure – walking to share my stories about nature and the environment in schools and libraries from Cornwall to Scotland. So far I have walked from Land’s End in Cornwall to Uttoxeter in Staffordshire. I am thrilled to be supported by Arts Council National Lottery Grant Funding enabling me to offer FREE author events.
This adventure is sparking curiosity, conversations, classroom activities, reading and action to care for our plane. I love sharing 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 spend more time experiencing nature rather than inside in front of a computer screen.
I love learning, celebrating and sharing these experiences as I continue to discover new things, new places and meet new people.
With the support of my publishers offering gift books, my ongoing nature writing competition My Little Walk in Nature is open to to primary aged children in participating schools*.
Please follow my journey…
@catherinebarrbooks on Instagram
Contact me email bigwalk@catherinebarrbooks.me
Setting off March 2025 with Steve Williams, co-author of my first book The Story of Life: and this series. Steve supported my first week on the End to End Trail.
Thanks Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) for this lovely map of Phase 1
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 and Quarto UK to participating schools.
I am grateful to libraries for helping to organise events and 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)
Gladestry Church in Wales Primary School (school site visit)
Stokesay Primary School, Craven Arms, Shropshire
Much Wenlock Primary School, Shropshire
Wrekin College, Shropshire
Woodlands Primary School, Shropshire
Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge Primary School, Shropshire