Hampton, England, United Kingdom
children's books fanatic, reviewer, consultant, teacher and anything else I get asked to be (within reason!) aiming to get as many children loving books and enthusiastic about reading as possible -despite the current obsession with phonics!
freelance consultant for early years education, children's literature yoga teacher especially children's yoga Peer massage for children Reiki master
Wrote Learning to read with Picture Books, Reaching Out, Poetry for Children - a Signal Book Guide, (with Aidan Chambers), compiled/editiednumerous children's poetry anthologies, wrote regularly for Child Education, Books for Keeps (on-going), Signal, reviewed children's and education books in numerous publications including The Guardian, School Librarian, Early Education and websites such as The Wordpool. Advised several publishers with children's picture book/early reading lists; compiled classroom activities to accompany Penguin publications for Puffin Books, wrote entries for the UK version of Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook; spoke at conferences, teachers' meetings etc.
Led a team of early years educators who saw children as unique individuals just starting out on their all important school journey. Created and fostered an atmosphere where children saw themselves as risk takers, willing to take on challenges, co-operate, become a community of readers and writers. Helped in the training of students wanting to work in early years.
Roles included: Language co-ordinator, Early Years Co-ordinator, deputy head, RE co-ordinator, induction tutor