Live talk and Q&A with Benjamin Dean
Autumn term virtual author event with Benjamin Dean
Benjamin Dean talk and Q&A
Bring an author into your classroom for free!
Each half-term, 60 registered schools with the highest FSM percentage will receive 60 free books. Our first autumn term author is Benjamin Dean.
Date: Wednesday 16 October 2024
Timings: 11am start (45 – 60 mins max)
Accessibility: A video recording will be available two days after the event.
Suitable for: Year groups 5, 6 and 7
About Benjamin
Benjamin Dean is an author and former celebrity reporter based in London. Although publishing books is high on the list, his biggest achievement to date is breaking the news that Rihanna can't wink – she blinks, in case you were wondering. Benjamin can probably be found tweeting instead of finishing a first draft, and also telling people to call him Ben, because Benjamin is what his mother calls him when he's in trouble. Benjamin’s latest book, The Boy Who Fell From the Sky, is an exciting sci-fi adventure exploring themes such as human rights and the importance of empathy, through the unexpected friendship between main character Zed and Spark – the boy who fell from the sky. The schools attending our virtual visit will have the chance to receive free copies of The Boy Who Fell From the Sky (60 schools will receive 60 copies).
Benjamin’s award-winning debut novel was Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, in which Archie Albright struggles to accept massive life-changes when his parents split up. This funny and heartwarming story of family, identity and managing difficult emotions has been described as 'One of the most joyful books you'll read this year'. Benjamin has since gone on to publish The Secret Sunshine Project and two novels for older readers.
Clockwise from left: Jasmine Richards, Joseph Coelho, Sabine Adeyinka
Joseph Coelho and special guests team up for a unique author talk and Q&A
BookTrust Represents virtual event with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho shines a light on bookmakers in the publishing industry
In January, we had a special Bookmaker Like You takeover of BookTrust Represents. In this virtual school event presented by Joseph Coelho, we celebrated bookmakers out there with three authors who shared their journeys into bookmaking, their successes and their mistakes to break down children’s assumptions of becoming a storyteller.
Get reading: Five brilliant books by people of colour chosen by Joseph Coelho
Download Jasmine Richards' Unmorrow activity sheet
About Bookmaker Like You
Launched last autumn by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, ‘Bookmaker Like You’ highlights the artistry of book creatives from under-represented communities and backgrounds – with a particular focus on new and emerging talent – showcasing the exceptional skill that brings a story to life.
It will offer insights from experts including editors, designers, publishers and agents, with the aim of demystifying publishing and inspiring more talent into the industry. By diversifying bookshelves, Coelho hopes that every single child can see themselves as a storyteller.
The project will run across Coelho’s remaining tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate.
About Joseph Coelho
Joseph Coelho is an award-winning children's author, performance poet and playwright based in London. He is also the Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2022-2024.
About Sabine Adeyinka
Sabine is the author of Jummy at the River School and Time to Shine at the River School. She was born in England to a Nigerian dad and Jamaican mum. Her favourite pastime is writing about memories of the landscape, food and people of her childhood.
About Jasmine Richards
Jasmine Richards is an author, series creator and founder of Storymix, a children's fiction studio. Her mission is to create books that are windows as well as mirrors. Jasmine loves reading and was a judge for the Blue Peter Book Awards twice.
