Author visits for schools, libraries, festivals.

“Claire was absolutely fantastic. Her assembly captured the children's attention through a variety of photos, multiple choice questions, a reading from her book and ended with a popular children v teachers quiz. The children left the assembly more knowledgeable about key figures in Black History, knowing more about being an author and most importantly, excited to read Claire's book. The writing workshop was very well received by the children and school staff with some amazing outcomes produced. I would highly recommend Claire for school events and we hope to invite her to visit our other partner schools in the future.”

Tara Coffin, Director at Learn to Love to Read

“It was AMAZING, with all capitals! I liked how she took her golden bath tub and put it into her book”

Year 5 Student

Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief explores both life in Tudor London and also the real historical Black Tudor, Reasonable Blackman, who was a silk weaver living in Southwark. It would make an excellent read for Years 4, 5 or 6 who are studying Tudors and a great way to start exploring the stories of real Black figures from British history.

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: Time Tub Travellers

Duration: 45-60 minutes (including Q&A)

Suitable for years 4, 5 or 6

Size: Classroom of up to 30

An interactive session that introduces why I wrote Time Tub Travellers and why I became an author. Then we dive into how you bring to life historical settings in a fictional way and use creative storytelling devices. After a reading from my books we then create the framework of a time travel story together before letting the children have a go at writing one themselves.

BECOMING A WRITER & PUBLISHING A BOOK

Duration: 45 minutes

Suitable for years 5 & 6

Size: Classroom to Assembly

An interactive session that looks at what it takes to publish a book. From research and reading around your chosen genre, to editing (the process and why it's important), designing a cover, and insight into the publishing industry and then marketing your book. We finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.

BLACK BRITISH HISTORY ASSEMBLY: Time Tub Travellers

Duration: 45-50 minutes

Suitable for KS2 (years 3, 4, 5 & 6)

Size: Group Assembly

An interactive session that introduces my love of Black British history and inspiration for writing Time Tub Travellers. We going into detail on Tudor history, the Victorians and look at the different Black British historical figures that are brought to life in my books. We discuss how you create exciting stories, using time travel and time machines and then finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.

SCHOOL VISIT FEES

I do charge a fee for school visits based on whether you’re looking for an assembly or a full day of workshops. There are also travel expenses if outside zone 4 in London. I’m happy to travel up to 90 mins by train from central London for visits that are a minimum of half a day. And I also offer virtual online visits.

Please contact me on the form below and let me know how many sessions, which year groups and content you’re looking for and I can send you more information.

If you’re booking a visit, I am happy to arrange pre-orders for signed copies of my books ahead of the event.

Please read this excellent guide by the Book Trust on how to organise an author visit

For Library visits and literary festivals - Please reach out with the contact form below.

Testimonials

Brennan Millen, Deputy Headteacher, The Winns Primary School

“The children were absolutely bowled over by your visit and left feeling truly inspired by your stories and insights. It's not every day that they get to meet a role model like you, and your words made a lasting impression on them. Thank you once again for sparking the imaginations of our young readers and writers. We hope to welcome you back in the future!”

Margaret Boateng, Headteacher, Holmleigh Primary School

“Claire visited our school to deliver an engaging assembly for our Year 4 and 5 classes, followed by a thought-provoking Black History workshop for Year 5. Both sessions were informative, interactive, and hugely enjoyable. The sessions sparked imagination and creativity in our pupils, inspiring them to see themselves as writers. We’re already anticipating an exciting wave of time-travel stories! Claire also helped challenge common misconceptions about the history of Black people in Britain, introducing children and adults to lesser-known historical figures such as Pablo Fanque. She’s truly phenomenal—we’d love to welcome her back next year!”

Mrs Kashta Dale, The Bedford School

Rebecca Rouillard - Librarian, Kingston Educational Trust

“Claire spoke to our Year 5s about her journey to becoming a writer, the real Black Tudors who inspired the characters in her book, and some other lesser-known but fascinating facts about Tudor history. I can highly recommend Claire as an engaging speaker with a great depth of knowledge about Black Tudors. The talk was perfectly tailored to support the curriculum, but also served to promote reading and writing for pleasure, and to celebrate diverse authors and characters. “

Yarrells School, Year 4 Students

“We loved meeting you. It was a really exciting and fabulous experience. We enjoyed finding out about your books, particularly Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief, which we have been studying. They are action-packed and full of intriguing facts about history. What really caught our attention was all the drama and adventure that Zula and Milo encountered…Thank you for speaking to us. You really inspired us to write our own stories and maybe even become authors too!

Megan Martin, Teacher Librarian, Nakusp School, Canada

“Thank you again for a wonderful presentation. All the teachers came and told me how much they and their students enjoyed it. I heard feedback about how prepared you were, students were very engaged, and many students now feel inspired to write. One teacher quickly caught up with me and borrowed my personal copy of your book to read to her class at the end of each day. The pages you read had them eager to know more.”