Over the last few years it’s become obvious that many schools are struggling to afford much beyond salaries and exercise books – mention glue sticks and white board pens to a teacher at your peril!
I’m constantly looking for ways to make sessions and books affordable and accessible whilst still making a living and I decided to try a new idea. For a short time only, to test the water, I’m running cheaper focussed online question and answer sessions. There are three days in November with slots of 30-minutes for £50. It gives time to talk about writing, books, history or mudlarking – depending on your children’s interests.
I will offer the cheap book options for parents/carers/schools, give a lesson resource on asking questions before the session and tips on making it run smoothly with as few gaps between questions as possible.
If you want to snap up one of these sessions you can see availability and book on Calendly and will be sent a booking form after reserving a slot. Usually online sessions are 60-minutes and £100 and an in-person visit is £350+expenses – these are still available to book through this link and you can find out more about them on the school visit page.
In the meantime if you have any top tips about getting funding for me to visit schools I am always keen to hear of new ideas to share. If you want to contact me you can do it through the contact form on this website or by email readingriddle@gmail.com
A while back I got a Port of London mudlarking licence and have been dabbling ever since. This year though I decided to get properly stuck in. I is an opportunity to make connections with the history – add real objects to the stories that I tell in school – and find out more myself along the way.
One of the easiest things to find have been roof tiles and pottery and these have not only taught me a lot, but inspired some ideas for activities and thrown up some exciting treasures to take into schools. I have already been able to show children the impression of a finger, made in the wet clay of a tile when it was made in Roman London around 2,000 years ago. They were as excited as I was to be able to put their hands in the same spot as a Roman did all those years ago.
I am posting about what I am learning on my new substack site. This enables me to send out regular newsletters about what I’m up to and has given a lot more structure to my communications. The mudlarking/history posts will be every Sunday as a gentle weekend read. If you want to get these, along with information about the books and reading with children you can sign up on the frontpage of the website or find the posts on www.readingriddle.substack.com
We are excited to be at the Mary Rose Museum on 1st April to launch the latest Vlad book. The whole of the Easter holidays are filled with flea-fun to celebrate this, with a chance to create your own version of Vlad flea and see a real flea from a comb which was on the wreck.
Sam will be demonstrating how to draw Vlad and members of his rat crew and Kate will be telling the story with Vlad himself.
I was happily surprised to get an email from the TES team to say one of our resources had been chosen to go in a blog of best Easter resources. It is ideal for an holiday homework as the purpose is to encourage children to discover/use their local library and to read and reflect on their reading.
This is the link to the TES blog.
If you want a copy, but are not a member of TES (a free website where teachers share resources) then you can download the sheet here Easter Homework final
What a fabulous way to finish a month of history festivals.
We will be taking part in the closing event of the Festival of Archaeology in Greenwich Park.
Kate will be helping Vlad Flea tell the story of the Great Fire of London (with lots of audience participation). Followed by a bucket chain to put the fire out.
In the Reading Riddle gazebo there will be a couple of sessions finding out how to create a story out of a historical artefact. We want to create a wall of pictures and words bringing history to life.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Despite the Roman festival being postponed, Kemps have very kindly arranged for us to be in their store on Wednesday 26th July from 11:00am. We have some amazing copies of the books with mini individual illustrations by Sam – all unique and available to buy.
Come along and find out more about all the hidden details and all the things that can be learnt from a Vlad Flea book.
There was rain, there was sun, but the weather couldn’t dampen the mood.
It was great fun to be in York for the 2023 Eboracum and it was an opportunity to meet lots of lovely authors, and experts. There are more pictures, and links to blogs on the Reading Riddle Facebook page.
Unfortunately the Malton Festival which was due to happen on 23rd July was postponed until September. The persistent rain had waterlogged the grounds above the Roman fort where it was due to take place, and it was decided that the risk of damage to the remains and the participants was too great. As it happened it rained heavily all day and it would have been hard to carry out many of the activities. We’ll keep you posted on the plans for the rearranged event, and hope to be back then.
It is now here!
The second edition of our bestselling title is out and it looks amazing. The story is the same with our heroes Vlad flea and Boxton the rat, but it is brought to life by beautiful new illustrations. There are so many details on every page, based on artefacts and accounts from the time.
See how the Londoners fought the fire, look at what they loaded onto carts and boats and follow them to the fields around the city as they make their escape.
You can buy this new edition from the website, or ask your regular bookshop to order a copy.
We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed bringing this new edition together.
We are very excited that we will be taking part in two Roman Festivals in Yorkshire in July:
Eboracum Roman Festival 8-9 July 2023
This will be in the York Museum Gardens and entry is free. There will be lots of fantastic activities and, of course an opportunity to buy the Vlad Roman book and meet Kate. For all the details check the York Museum website here.
Malton Museum Roman Festival 23rd July 2023
This is being organised by Malton Museum and again there will be incredible displays and creative activities for all the family. Sam and Kate will be there on the day with the Vlad story. Information and tickets are available through the Malton Museum website here.
Come along and say hello and find colouring freebies on the our stalls at both these great events.
We will be back at the Summer market on Sunday 2nd July and Sunday 3rd September.
The atmosphere at is great at this market – come and find lots of wonderful products made by people who are passionate about their craft.
That includes me and Sam selling the Reading Riddle titles. There are special discounts, and an opportunity to get a personalised gift signed by us both.
Come along to say hello.
You can find the Between the Bridges site between Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge (SE1 7PG) – Just a stone’s throw from the London Eye. Entry to Between the Bridges is free, but please note food and drink are not permitted onsite. There will be a quick bag search upon entry. The market will be based under the pier structure towards the back of the site.
Find details about the event, other dates and what is available on the SoLo website here.