A visit to your school or Library

"Margaret Bateson-Hill is an inspiration for children, staff and parents! Her extraordinary storytelling is a combination of magical transportation and practical organisation. No other storyteller understands the needs of everyone so accutely.

She operates on three levels at least! First she weaves a web of stories filled with stimulating images and vocabulary that the children love to explore and use.Then she inspires teachers because she is someone who understands the needs and demands of the classroom providing cross curricula ideas to support the development of her books through topics.

Thirdly parents love the challenge that her books offer. 'I feel my son is receiving work that is right for him because it challenges him in different ways and we can work together on this author's books' Year 3 parent."

Deputy Head Teacher- Battersea, South London

After a brief introduction about myself I show the children my books, and then I put them away and tell one of the stories.

After the telling we then re open the book and look at the pictures and I can talk briefly about how I came to write the story, its publication, drafting work etc.

I set up a writing task and a craft activity related to the story

Then there is a question and answer time

Depending on the time available size of the group the children may start the writing task or the craft activity.

I like to leave a range of activities for follow up

The following is a rough guide to the types of activities available.

Suitable for Reception-Year 6

Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain

Country China

Craft Paper cutting

Writing Creating my own dragon

Suitable for Year 1-Year 6

Masha and the Firebird

Country Russia

Craft Designing an egg (or for the brave) a papier-mâché egg

Writing Creating my own egg

The following workshops are more suitable for Years 5 and 6

Shota and the Star Quilt

Country USA /Lakota

Craft Paper Collage star quilt

Writing Fallen from a Star

Chanda and the Mirror of Moonlight

CountryIndia

Craft making a picture frame

WritingThe Magic Mirror

Reception and nursery children

I tell a very interactive traditional story that allows them to join in with songs actions and ideas of their own (usually about 20- 30 mins)

I also tell a range of stories from the folk and fairytale traditions for all ages