World Book Day Author visits +
My author visits are lively, interactive sessions bringing science, creative writing and draw-along workshops inspired by my nonfiction stories. I bring true stories to life making connections to the scientists I work with, sharing my books about nature and the environment. I thrive on the enthusiasm of buzzing classrooms and eager questions so please get in touch to find out more.
How far will I travel? Pretty much anywhere in the UK and also abroad. I ask for schools to cover reasonable overnight and travel costs at 7p per mile for EV or by train.
When do I visit? Please book now for author visits for 2026 World Book Day and World Book Week, British Science Week, Earth Day as well as 2025 Nonfiction November. I get busy around these times but am happy to visit schools all year round.
What do I offer in an author visit? I am flexible but usually up to four events in a day, which might include an assembly plus three one hour workshops PLUS I am always happy to read to KS1 for half an hour sessions. I offer half days to schools within an hour’s drive of my home in Hay on Wye.
What is a NONFICTION author day like - how is it different? My books are all based on true stories from the natural world and our interactions with it. Children will be inspired by exciting, interesting and very real stories that will inspire them to be wowed, to care, to be curious and to take action to protect our planet.
What are my workshops like? My workshops and assemblies are lively, interactive and inspired by true stories on nature and the environment. I focus on my experience and research with scientists around the world to create my books and encourage children to ask questions and take part in draw-alongs created by the illustrators I work with.
Are my books linked to the UK National Curriculum? Yes. My books explore science topics including evolution, food chain, habitats, environmental change, ecosystems, global biomes, human impact, adaptation, the water cycle and migration. They also offer opportunities for creative writing and PSHE and citizenship discussion.
Which age groups? All primary school ages from Reception, KS1 and KS2. I am always happy to find ways to meet all children in the school if there are opportunities to do this.
Are there pre-visit and follow up activities? Yes! I encourage schools to order copies of my books for the school library in advance and offer a wide range of suggestions for follow up activities during my visit, please ask me when I visit!
Will I sign and sell books? Yes! I am happy to sign and sell books at the end of the school day and encourage parents to have advance notice of my visit in order to plan for this. I also work with Roving Books who liaise with the schools directly to arrange this.
How much do I charge? Please get in touch for latest fees, thank you.
To book an author visit or explore options… Please email me directly here or my author visits can also be arranged via author booking sites including AuthorsAloud, SpeakingofBooks and Contact an Author.
“Catherine made an incredible impression on our students. Our Infants were so impassioned about her books that they went on to raise money for Pangolins for the remainder of the school year. She met with all our children - Reception to Year 6 - providing enthralling assemblies and workshops that were enthusiastically received by all. Every session was unique, enlightening and truly helped to broaden their awareness of the natural world and the dangers/issues they are facing. We would thoroughly recommend Catherine for a visit.
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“I recommend Catherine to all schools interested in an author with passion and knowledge for their subject and we will certainly be asking her back next year!”
“Thank you so much for coming and for such a wonderful event. The audience loved it and we were delighted to have you on the programme.”
“You have inspired our teachers and our children, who thoroughly enjoyed the day. I have had fantastic feedback from all of the teachers about Mondays session so thank you! ”
“Thanks so much for an excellent morning. We had fun. Your assemblies worked really well. The children and staff made so many connections together. We talk about and writing and writers such a lot but to meet a real one, who was friendly and clever and interested in us, was inspiring. ”