I'm available to attend school visits, festivals, conventions, conferences, and much more, both in person and virtual.
I have a Blue Card which allows me to work with children.
The illustrator of all the adorable dogs on my website is my talented friend Katrin Dreiling.
If you are interested in booking me for work, please contact my agent Chloe Davis at The Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency or my publicist, Maraya Bell at Walker Books Australia.
Reach out to me directly on social media or via email at contact@katejfoster.com
Media Kit Photos:
No photo credit
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Cover design by Sarah Davis
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Media Kit Bio:
Kate is a children's author writing about friends, family, and dogs. Originally from a small town in the south east of England, she now lives on the Gold Coast in Australia with her husband, three sons, and cavoodle and spoodle.
My Workshops and Talks
Talk 1: Approx. 40 minutes
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
After introducing myself and a fun icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From there, I focus my talk on DIFFERENCES and how this is something to celebrate and accept not fear or hide. I cover details of how all of us have a unique story to tell, and that even those who are not big readers or writers are storytellers too. I move on to talking about friendships, feelings, and emotions, including the children in a fun exercise, before chatting about autism and what this is, eventually circling back to PAWS. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
After introducing myself and a fun icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From there, I focus my talk on DIFFERENCES and how this is something to celebrate and accept not fear or hide. I cover details of how all of us have a unique story to tell, and that even those who are not big readers or writers are storytellers too. I move on to talking about friendships, feelings, and emotions, including the children in a fun exercise, before chatting about autism and what this is, eventually circling back to PAWS. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
****
Talk 2: Approx 40 minutes
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From there, I share a little about my WRITING JOURNEY and approach and encourage even the most reluctant readers and writers in the group to appreciate that they have a story to tell too. I list all the different ways that a story can be told. I cover some of the secrets to creating a stories that engage and enthrall a reader and finish on a fun exercise where the children can get involved and give examples of the important elements to writing an immersive story. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From there, I share a little about my WRITING JOURNEY and approach and encourage even the most reluctant readers and writers in the group to appreciate that they have a story to tell too. I list all the different ways that a story can be told. I cover some of the secrets to creating a stories that engage and enthrall a reader and finish on a fun exercise where the children can get involved and give examples of the important elements to writing an immersive story. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
****
Talk 3: Approx 40 minutes
Suitable for Grades 5 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From here, I begin the workshop on how to create 3-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS, looking at every aspect of their personality, appearance, and past. I provide a worksheet for children to complete and build their own characters, encouraging them to look at themselves or someone close to them. With the children's help, I go through the process of building a character, giving them a goal, a conflict, and motivation. I encourage the children to ask why at every opportunity so they appreciate the importance of a character's back story. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
Suitable for Grades 5 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From here, I begin the workshop on how to create 3-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS, looking at every aspect of their personality, appearance, and past. I provide a worksheet for children to complete and build their own characters, encouraging them to look at themselves or someone close to them. With the children's help, I go through the process of building a character, giving them a goal, a conflict, and motivation. I encourage the children to ask why at every opportunity so they appreciate the importance of a character's back story. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
****
Talk 4: Approx 40 minutes
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From here, I begin the workshop on how to MASTER SHOW DON'T TELL, the ways in which this can be included, from the world building to filter verbs to emotions, and help them understand how showing can create a more immersive experience for the reader but why telling is sometimes the right choice too. I provide a worksheet for children to complete and list ideas on how to show emotions through body language and thought. With the children's help, I play some interactive games to guess emotions and feelings and personalities. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
Suitable for Grades 4 - 7
Can be adapted for higher grades
After a fun introduction and icebreaker, I will read a chapter from PAWS and talk a little about the book and the themes included. From here, I begin the workshop on how to MASTER SHOW DON'T TELL, the ways in which this can be included, from the world building to filter verbs to emotions, and help them understand how showing can create a more immersive experience for the reader but why telling is sometimes the right choice too. I provide a worksheet for children to complete and list ideas on how to show emotions through body language and thought. With the children's help, I play some interactive games to guess emotions and feelings and personalities. I close by inviting all and any questions from the children, and emphasis that no comment or question is wrong and that I never judge and always encourage individuality. I can bring with me a slide show to keep the children amused and interacting.
****
If none of the above work for you, I will happily create a bespoke workshop or talk to fit with curriculum requirements or group needs.
Please don't hesitate to contact me should this option be of interest to you.
contact@katejfoster.com