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Philippa Roberts

Disciplines

Writer - stories and poetry

Workshops for Ages

Prefer juniors through to adult

Workshops Offered

I can offer a variety of readings and workshops. For children and students (from Key Stage 2 up) who are studying the Second World War I can read from my grandmother, Effie M. Roberts's poetry. (Three books - 'Winter Jasmine', 'The Golden Glory has Fled' and 'A Wartime Poetry Journal'.)

I can also offer readings of my own stories and poems, mostly for Key Stage 2, with a special Christmas reading including a ghost story and a poem about a kitten climbing a Christmas tree. (There are also poems about Christmas in 'A Wartime Poetry Journal'. Often quite humorous). However I have stories and poems for all times of year, so don't limit it to Christmas!

I also do poetry workshops for any age... getting the children to play with sound patterns and creative use of language. Even quite small children enjoy this.

I can also do a talk about the slightly unconventional way in which I built up my writing career. This is suitable for secondary school or university - for literary societies in particular.

I would like to be involved in drama in schools, perhaps writing a script to be performed.

I have recently taught a writing course for adults in which I passed on all I have learnt about writing over the years!

Artist Statement

I have published poetry and short stories for children and adults, in a number of magazines and anthologies. I will be happy to send samples of my published work:
Read about Hullabaloo, 'with hair like rats tails stuck with glue', and Louisa, the boxer, who lost her strength but found it again. Read my stories too: Sciolto, the ghost horse; Gore the baby giant, who accidentally ate a fire-eater, and several stories about the king and queen of McHassle, who have to sort out various environmental problems. They have absolutely no idea what to do, but luckily they have Wacky Zacky, who has hundreds of plaits with bells on, and appears to know magic, although in fact he's just got a lot of common sense. (These stories can be used to support teaching about environmental issues).

I have had a sense of vocation as a writer since before I started school. At present I am writing a new book for 8-12 year olds… a ghost story, which is also an adventure story. I think it might be best described as 'a cracking yarn'!

The paperback version of my grandmother's book, 'A Wartime Poetry Journal' by Effie M. Roberts, is being recommended by the Times Educational Supplement and can be seen on their website at present.