School visits
D.D. Everest is available for school events and visits. He can talk about what it’s like to be an author and run writing workshops that inspire children.
Read D.D. Everest on inspiring children’s imagination.
Inspiring Children’s Imagination
Download complementary Fun Stuff tools and resources here.
Some testimonials below …
05 Mar 2018
“Hi Des,
It was our pleasure having you spend the day with us and to celebrate a love of books and the authors like you who bring such pleasure to children. On behalf of all the staff and children @ Kingsbury thank you for the great insights you shared with the children, your very personable style and your top writing tips were especially useful. It was very special for the children to have an author read an extract from his book to them. It was no surprise that after your workshop, all the books were sold out.
I am sure the children will enjoy writing to you and extending their personal thank yous.
Whatever you are up to in the future, do keep in touch and let us know what Archie and his friends are up to.
Again, Thank you for a fun day and your fantastic contribution to children’s literature.
Best Wishes
Rosanne”
Kingsbury Green Primary School, London
Mulgrave Primary School, Woolwich, London
01 Mar 2018
“We are having a fabulous day being inspired to write by author DD Everest, despite the snow #dedicated #WorldBookDayUK @MulgravePrimary”
01 Mar 2018
“Hi Des,
Thanks for your email.
The children had a great day and really enjoyed your visit!
I will definitely be in touch once I’ve spoken to my team – would be great to get some writing activities going with which you could be involved.
Kind regards,
Vicky Judd”
Rush Green Primary School
10 Oct 2017
Hi Des,
I just wanted to thank you again on behalf of Gemma and I for coming in to Reading Rabbits today and giving the children such a wonderful experience. I found their enthusiasm (over enthusiasm at times!) wonderful to watch. Having had this opportunity we are both so excited to see how the children now interpret the book. I will send you updates! We appreciate the time you gave us as there were children today who were captivated by what you had to say.
Thank you again.
Best wishes,Becky
“Magdalen College School’s Junior School [Oxford] was delighted to host author D. D. Everest who introduced us to his first children’s novel ‘Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret’.
D.D. Everest talked to the children about his concept, his inspiration and his working practices, using a power point slide show and props, which were interspersed with readings.
This is a great book, which had something in it for all ages across the school. The Oxford setting gives the story a sense of familiarity in a strangely magical world, and the boys loved the idea of a library being hidden in the depths of the Bodleian, which is right on our own doorstep!
We enjoyed the author’s talk greatly, and the boys responded with great enthusiasm, especially during the discussion session at the end. We all look forward to reading about Archie’s next adventure!”
Mrs M McDonough
Junior School Librarian, Magdalen College School, Oxford.
“Dear Des
I just wanted to thank you so much for your talk yesterday. We all enjoyed it so much and it’s been great walking around the school today to see the number of children who have been immersed in their copies of Archie Greene! We are really hoping that you will come back to talk us again when your next book in the series is published! Meanwhile, if it is okay with you I would like to pass on your details to LIPSSEE , the support group for Prep school librarians that I co-ordinate because I am sure they would love to invite you to speak to their children as well!
Thank you again for an amazing morning!”
Denise Reed, Assistant Librarian, Ardingly College.
05 Dec 2014
“Hi Des
Just a quick email to say that several children have already finished your book (!) and have absolutely loved it and say they cannot wait for the next one to come out! Even my reluctant boys were engrossed in their copies during this morning’s library lessons – honestly you could have heard a pin drop. So I have put the book forward to be considered next year for the East Sussex School Children’s Book Award. I know it seems a long way off, but it is run by the East Sussex Schools Library and Museum Service and the librarians will be looking to read the longlists next summer. Their only stipulation is that the book must be published in paperback (for financial reasons). I think I remember you saying Faber was planning to bring out Archie in paperback – so hopefully that will be before next summer!
Denise”
“Everyone; girls and staff loved your visit yesterday. They were so inspired and loved your good-humoured manner. The girls have been telling me how much they are enjoying ‘Archie Greene’ – lots of very positive feedback. Thank you for making our World Book Day such a success.”
Jane, Kent College Prep School, Pembury, Kent
“Having seen many different authors talk to children over the years, one of the things that impressed us particularly about Des was his skill in conjuring up the world of Archie Greene in the minds of the children in the audience. The children seemed to relish the opportunity to become apprentices themselves, and some of the terms in the book – such as nasty magicians called ‘Greeders’ conjured up just the right atmosphere or excitement and menace for the age it’s aimed at.”
“He was very impressive in terms of getting the kids engaged and then excited about the book. Not all authors can do that!”
Mark Thornton, Mostly Books, Abingdon-on-Thames.
“Hi Des, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for coming along on Saturday and putting together a great event. All of the children loved it and their parents were singing your praises. It really was brilliant!”
Naomi Bishop, The Book Nook, First Avenue, Hove.
“I accompanied Des to two primary school events in Essex during October 2014. His presentation of Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret was thoroughly engaging. He endeared himself to his audience by providing a few personal details about his football coaching and his own children.
The session was well structured with a balance of PowerPoint presentation and reading extracts. The early introduction of a ‘mysterious box’ created initial excitement from the children and it was finally opened at the end of the talk, after much anticipation from the audience. Des gave a taster of the story and broadened the scope of the presentation by sharing photographs and facts about Oxford – the novel’s setting. This added depth and interest, which was well received by children and teachers alike.
A ‘Q and A’ session at the end worked well at both schools. Des was relaxed and friendly throughout and handled a diverse range of ages within his audiences. I am delighted to recommend him for author visits in schools and I hope we will secure his time for further events in the future.”
Caroline Bradley, School Events Manager Just Imagine Story Centre, Chelmsford.
“D.D. Everest was an absolute triumph on the Hay Festival Scribblers Tour, he captivated an audience of 150 students and had them all gripped to his tales.”
Quote from a student on the day: “It was very very fun to meet an awesome author like D.D. Everest!”
“I just wanted to thank you for coming in today. The children really enjoyed it, as did the staff. Lots of people have asked about how they can buy a book so I’m hoping the office will quickly run out of the stock that you left with us!
Year 5 did some magical story writing based on the object that you talked about at the end of your presentation – you really inspired them to be writers today.”
Amy Bennet, St Mary’s C of E (Aided) Primary School, East Grinstead, West Sussex.
D.D. Everest contact form
