Author-Illustrator Visits that Spark a Love of Reading

Interactive, curriculum-enriched workshops for EYFS, KS1 and KS2

Through Mummy’s Fables school visits, I help children get excited about books, stories, illustration and reading for pleasure.

I created Mummy’s Fables by bringing together my background in art, storytelling and pedagogy, including earlier experience as a research assistant exploring how children learn. Each visit combines live reading, discussion, role-play, props and creative activities, with clear links to the curriculum.

Whether you are planning World Book Day, a literacy enrichment week, a PSHE/PSED focus, or an art and design project, I can tailor each workshop to suit your timetable, age groups and school priorities.

The sessions were thoroughly enjoyable, and the children absolutely loved 'The Wizard’s Assistant,' especially the cauldron - it created such a sense of excitement and curiosity. Your engaging delivery really inspired them, and I heard from our staff that the children across all year groups were very engaged... We’d love to welcome you back to Kensington Wade to promote any future books or ventures; it would be a real treat for the children to see you again.

We were delighted to welcome author Mel Scott-Avis to our school for a special reading of her wonderful story, The Wizards Assistant: A Magical Tale About Honesty. Mel captivated the children with her engaging storytelling and brought the tale to life in a way that truly sparked their imaginations. Following the reading, she led a series of age-appropriate activities that were both fun and educational, keeping the students inspired and involved. It was a memorable visit that left a lasting impression on our young readers! Thank you Mel!

Mel was lovely and the children really enjoyed listening to her story. She used props and games to bring the story to life. We are looking forward to her next visit!

The children absolutely loved your visit! They were so engaged throughout the sessions, and it was wonderful to see how much they enjoyed the story! The book was lovely and very age-appropriate. The colourful, detailed illustrations really drew the children in, and the repetition encouraged brilliant audience participation, they were so excited to join in. The message of the story was clear, effective, and perfect for young children. I also loved the idea of the hidden spiders on each page, it added a fun interactive element that the children really enjoyed.

We were delighted to welcome Mel to our school. She brought such warmth and passion to her visit that every pupil -from the youngest to the oldest -was completely engaged. During the sessions she read her story ‘The Wizard’s Assistant’ to the children using props that helped bring the tale to life and created a truly magical atmosphere. The excitement and imagination in the room were wonderful to see. It was a memorable experience for everyone and we would love to welcome Mel back to our school again in the future.

Mel Scott-Avis, author of The Wizard’s Assistant, visited the nursery and delivered a wonderful interactive storytelling session for the children. She read her book with enthusiasm and creativity, capturing the children’s attention and encouraging their imagination throughout. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the fun-filled activities linked to the story, particularly those focused on the important value of honesty. Mel engaged the children beautifully through discussion, role play, and hands-on activities, helping them to understand honesty in an age-appropriate and meaningful way. It was a lovely experience that promoted listening, communication, and emotional development. We would like to thank Mel for visiting our nursery and creating such an enjoyable and memorable learning experience for the children.

Author and illustrator-led, curriculum-enriched workshops, delivered by the person who created the books.

A Mummy’s Fables visit gives children the chance to get up close and personal with a real-life creator of books, not just hear a story read aloud. As both the author and illustrator behind Mummy’s Fables, I bring together storytelling, picture books, illustration, discussion and creative response to help children see how books are made, how stories work and why reading can feel exciting, playful and full of possibility.

The stories themselves are created around meaningful PSHE/PSED themes that children can understand, discuss and relate to. The Wizard’s Assistant explores honesty, respect and forgiveness, while my upcoming new release, The Rainbow’s Secret, celebrates healthy eating and the magic of eating the rainbow.

Schools and nurseries can choose from three workshop focuses: PSHE/PSED, Literacy or Art & Design. Each one is interactive, age-appropriate and linked to clear curriculum-enriched learning outcomes for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

Unique offer

Engaging workshops

Linked to Curriculum

Excellent School Feedback

Tailored to Age Groups

Great Value

Step 1: Choose Your Workshop Focus

Choose the learning theme that best suits your school, topic, event or year group.

PSHE/PSED Workshop

Honesty, respect, relationships and positive choices

Inspired by the themes in The Wizard’s Assistant, this workshop uses storytelling, discussion, role-play and pupil participation to explore honesty, kindness, respect, forgiveness, choices and consequences.

Best for:
PSHE, PSED, values weeks, Anti-Bullying Week, kindness, friendship and positive relationships.

Curriculum links:
PSHE/PSED, spoken language, communication, emotional literacy and personal development.

Children will:
Explore how characters behave, how their actions affect others, and what positive choices can look like in everyday situations.

Literacy Workshop

Storytelling, imagination and reading for pleasure

Inspired by the idea that stories need magical ingredients, just like potions, this workshop helps children explore how stories work through reading, discussion, prediction, imagination and creative response.

Best for:
World Book Day, literacy enrichment, reading weeks, storytelling, vocabulary, comprehension and creative writing.

Curriculum links:
English, spoken language, reading comprehension, vocabulary, storytelling and reading for pleasure.

Children will:
Use spoken language to retell, predict, ask questions, make comparisons and share their own responses to stories.

Art & Design Workshop

From sketchbook to storybook

Drawing on my Fine Art background and work as an illustrator, this workshop gives children a closer look at how characters, ideas and story worlds develop from early sketches into finished book artwork.

Best for:
Art days, illustration workshops, character design, visual storytelling, creative projects and school values work.

Curriculum links:
Art & Design, expressive arts, communication, creativity, visual storytelling and self-expression.

Children will:
Explore line, shape, colour, texture, character and visual ideas through practical creative activities.

Step 2: Choose Your Visit Length

Choose a format that works for your timetable, budget and number of pupils.

30-Minute Virtual Visit

A short online author visit for one class or group.

Includes:
Live book reading, short interactive session or Q&A, free printable resources and discounted multi-buy book options.

Best for:
Quick enrichment sessions, smaller groups, pre-topic introductions or schools further afield.

Investment: £50 per online group

Half-Day Author Visit

A flexible in-person visit with separate EYFS, KS1 and/or KS2 sessions, tailored to each age group.

Includes:
Approximately 30 minutes per group, live reading, interactive workshop, life-sized props, role-play, pupil participation, free printable resources and discounted multi-buy book options.

Optional:
Book signing.

Investment: £300 including expenses

Full-Day Author Visit

A deeper in-person visit with separate age-group sessions and time for hands-on creative tasks.

Includes:
Approximately 40 minutes per group, live reading, interactive workshop, props, role-play, pupil participation, creative tasks, a wider collaborative project, free printable resources and discounted multi-buy book options.

Optional:
Book signing or a site-specific mural project using children’s ideas, available by separate quote.

Investment: £600 including expenses

Want to share the details with your team?

Download the full Visit Information Pack for workshop options, curriculum-linked learning outcomes, visit formats, pricing and planning information.

Making Your Visit Easy to Plan

I know how busy schools and nurseries are, so I aim to make every visit simple to organise and easy to share with staff and families. From clear session plans to ready-to-share materials and follow-up resources, everything is designed to help the day run smoothly and keep the excitement around books going.

Recent Visits

I’ve loved visiting schools and nurseries across London with The Wizard’s Assistant, bringing the story to life through live storytelling, discussion, role-play and interactive mini-wizard workshops.

Each visit is designed to create a real sense of excitement around books, while giving children space to explore themes such as honesty, respect, kindness, forgiveness and positive choices in an age-appropriate way.

At a time when children’s reading engagement remains a real concern, my visits offer schools a joyful, practical way to encourage reading for pleasure and help children connect stories with feelings, friendships, choices, problem-solving and the world around them.

The videos below show just two examples from recent visits, offering a glimpse of how the sessions bring storytelling, discussion, role-play and pupil participation together in practice.

FAQs

What age groups are Mummy’s Fables author visits suitable for?

My school visits can be adapted for EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Each session is tailored to suit the age group, with activities, discussion and learning outcomes adjusted so pupils can engage at the right level.

How do Mummy’s Fables school visits work?

Mummy’s Fables visits are built around two simple choices: first, choose your workshop focus, then choose your visit length. Schools can choose from PSHE/PSED, Literacy or Art & Design workshops, then select a 30-minute virtual visit, half-day visit or full-day visit to suit their timetable, budget and age groups.

Can visits support reading for pleasure?

Yes. A key aim of every visit is to help children feel excited about books, stories, illustration and reading for pleasure. Sessions are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and show pupils that stories can be imaginative, shared and meaningful.

Can visits link to World Book Day or school events?

Yes. Mummy’s Fables visits are a lovely fit for World Book Day, book weeks, literacy enrichment, PSHE/PSED focus days, art and design projects, values weeks and reading-for-pleasure events. Sessions can be tailored to support your school priorities, age groups, timetable and chosen theme.

What themes do the sessions explore?

Sessions can explore themes such as honesty, kindness, forgiveness, respect, friendship, choices, consequences, healthy eating and understanding others. These themes are introduced through storytelling, discussion, role-play, pupil participation and creative activities.

What does the PSHE/PSED workshop include?

The PSHE/PSED workshop focus uses storytelling, discussion, role-play and pupil participation to explore themes such as honesty, kindness, respect, forgiveness, choices, consequences and positive relationships. It is inspired by the themes in The Wizard’s Assistant and can be adapted for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

What does the Literacy workshop include?

The Literacy workshop focus celebrates storytelling, imagination and reading for pleasure. Children explore how stories work through reading, discussion, prediction, vocabulary, creative response and shared ideas. Sessions can be adapted for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

What does the Art & Design workshop include?

The Art & Design workshop gives children a closer look at illustration, character design, visual storytelling and how early sketches develop into finished book artwork. Drawing on my Fine Art background and work as an illustrator, sessions can include practical creative activities and can be adapted for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

Do you offer virtual author visits?

Yes. The 30-minute virtual visit is a short online author visit for one class or group. It can include a live book reading, a short interactive session or Q&A, free printable resources and discounted multi-buy book options.

Where are in-person visits available?

I currently offer in-person author visits to schools and nurseries across London and the home counties. If your school is outside of these areas, please get in touch to discuss what may be possible.

How much does a Mummy’s Fables author visit cost?

Virtual visits start from £50 per online group. In-person visits are available as a half-day author visit for £300 including expenses, or a full-day author visit for £600 including expenses. Bespoke visits and site-specific mural projects can also be discussed by separate quote.

Are travel expenses included?

For the listed in-person visit lengths, expenses are included where stated. If your school is outside my usual travel area, or you would like a more bespoke visit, I’ll confirm any additional costs clearly before booking.

Can you create a bespoke visit for our school or nursery?

Yes. If your school has a particular theme, timetable, budget or event in mind, I can help create a bespoke visit that combines elements from the PSHE/PSED, Literacy and Art & Design workshop focuses. I’m happy to talk through what you need and suggest an option that works for your pupils and your timetable.

How do I book a school visit?

You can check availability and request a booking using the calendar below, or email me directly at mel@mummysfables.com. If you are not sure which workshop focus or visit length would work best, I’m happy to help you choose the most suitable option for your school, nursery or early years setting.

Book Today or Get in Touch

Ready to bring Mummy’s Fables into your school? I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re ready to book a visit, have a few questions, or would like to talk through which workshop focus and visit length would work best for your pupils, please get in touch.

You can check my availability and request a booking using the calendar on this page, or email me directly at mel@mummysfables.com.

I’m generally available for school visits on Tuesdays, but if that doesn’t suit your timetable, please do still get in touch. I’ll always do my best to accommodate your school’s schedule and requirements.

“More children and young people who had experienced an author visit told us that they enjoyed reading in their free time compared with their peers who had not (58.6% vs 39.3%).”

National Literacy Trust, 2023