Thank you so much Emma, you delivered such extraordinary sessions for us- interactive, experiential and full of goodness! It was a delight to have you  (and Nell) at Hay Festival, such a great experience for everyone involved. Learning by doing is our motto!

Aine Venables – Hay Festival

Emma’s story telling workshops have been wonderful with us at Fyne Court, the feedback from visitors has been incredible and it has forged a deep love of nature connection with visitors.

James Mcwilliam – Visitor Operations and Experience manager – National Trust

Stories in the Wilds is such an expansive and generous offer to young people – opening up the freedom for them to explore, to be creative, to be in their bodies. Emma is a wonder at what she does – holding the space with such skill and care, softness and attention. This is vital work.

Dan Canham – Film maker

Stories in the Wild is a fantastic outdoor learning experience that gives children the opportunity to learn and self-grow.  Every child is given the freedom to express themselves through their voices or writing, in their own individual, non-judgemental way.  It is a privilege to hear the children’s ideas at the end of the session, and observe their own sense of pride of creating a piece of literature.

Kerry Roberts – EAQ Manor Farm

Stories in the Wilds was an incredible way to fire the creativity of my young writers. They loved the freedom to lead the way and allow the conversation to follow. So often in the classroom story-writing can become formulaic; Emma was the perfect antidote to that. I can’t wait to work with her again. Having worked with her before, I know the joy and creativity that she brings. Emma effortlessly sparks enthusiasm, encourages the children to find inspiration all around them and hooks into the imaginations of my young writers – especially those children who often struggle to be excited about writing.

Laura White – Yr3 teacher & Senior Leader at IKB Primary School

Stories in the Wilds was a special part of Weston Literature Festival that has stayed with me .  Emma invites young people into a living, breathing version of her book, with a child-led stomp through the wilds followed by a gentle opportunity to gather round and nestle into the beautifully illustrated pages of a story where author, dog and young readers comfortably share a picnic blanket from which new tales of adventure spring.  The space is very gently held and imaginations run free.  A little bit of magic both on and off the page. 

Fiona Matthews – SuperCulture Weston

Wellesley Park Primary School

A handful of children in Year 1 and 2 were lucky enough to go for a walk with our visiting author Emma and her dog Nell, this afternoon.

Emma first visited Wellesley Park on World Book Day and has stayed in touch ever since.

Today, she was leading a creative writing session called ‘Stories in the Wild’. The children walked and talked and used their surroundings to inspire creative ideas. Needless to say, they absolutely LOVED it.

A big thank you to Emma for sharing her passion for stories with our aspiring writers.

“It was the part when we go in the trees.” – M, aged 6

“It was the best because we could do writing and draw stuff and we got to keep the notebook.” – L, aged 7.

HERNE VIEW CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Thank you for this and those pictures truly made me smile as it was obvious all the children had an amazing time. Your observations of the children were so accurate and much appreciated. All children came back very excited. R was the most enthusiastic and wanted to read his story to the class. E also stood up and told the whole class about it. S was a bit more reserved and didn’t want to talk to the class but she told me that it was fun. All in all, it seems like a very positive experience!

Children’s views:

A said he really liked being able to draw and write.

S said she had enjoyed writing stories with you.

E liked meeting an author and then added that he loved everything!

R liked that the dogs and horses helped them write.

B liked it when you roasted marshmallows.

We then generally had a chat and they added:

• Loved getting a book on the second day and all had taken it home for adults at home to read to them.
• Liked being able to tell people their ideas and then have help to write them down.
• Helped them when adults helped to get ideas for a story from the walks, being with the horses or going in the fields.
• One child felt the dogs gave lots of ideas for writing stories.
• 4 of the children felt they were now writing more in class after the visits and all of them said the visits made them more confident to write.
• Finally the highlight was apparently building the assault course with the tunnel that Rosie (little terrier) kept running through!