If you would like me to visit your school, pre-school, library, or book event, please contact the wonderful folks at Authors Aloud, who can give you more details and help to arrange everything.
For children aged 3 to 7
I run activity sessions for Pre-schools, Nurseries, Reception and KS1, based around the reading of my picture books. Using a combination of props, actions, rhymes, songs and drawing, I encourage children to identify with the characters in my books – just as an illustrator needs to do, in order to draw them. I also encourage close looking at the pictures, of course! After the story, I like to include an age-appropriate craft activity or drawing session, so that children have something to take away with them. I’m also happy to do signings and read to whole school assemblies.
“Layn Marlow’s Bug and Bear story and craft session had the children (and grown-ups) entranced. Layn is a talented illustrator and delightful workshop leader.” Nikki Gamble, Founder of Just Imagine Children’s Bookshop, Essex
“Layn provided a wonderful literary morning for us. The teachers were in awe and the children were inspired. There is “reading a story” and then there is a story read by Layn. Because the characters were hers, she brought them to life in the way she imagined them to be, and with voices and intonation she intended them to have – absolutely genius.” Karen Burgin, Reception class teacher, Hampshire
“Layn was brilliant with the children. What I really liked about her session was she engaged the children with her story, and that way the children were more attentive, and also felt they were taking part with the characters. After the story session there was a craft activity which was a bonus…the children were able to take their craft work home with them.” Deep Hunjan, Community Librarian, Birmingham
“A Very Strange Creature was brought to life by Layn Marlow’s reading and my class were captivated by her demonstration of how she drew the animal characters. They had a wonderful time creating their own animal pictures with Layn’s enthusiastic and encouraging support. All children were very proud of their finished work and many of them decided that they would like to become illustrators when they grow up!” Paula Teeling, Year 5 teacher, London
