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Free Primary School Author Visits with Sophie, the author of The Best-Kept Secret


Looking for a free primary school author visit to inspire the children in your school? Throughout the school year, we are delighted to offer FREE children's author visits to schools that might otherwise struggle to host an author event. Whether you are a small village school, a school facing an imminent Ofsted inspection, have a limited budget or need to impress Ofsted to secure your future, we understand the challenges you face and want to help bring the magic of storytelling to the children in your school.


For Sophie, the best part of being a children's author isn’t the writing—it’s visiting schools and meeting the children. As she often tells them during her sessions, her favourite moment is “Meeting you!”


As a dedicated school governor, Sophie understands the challenges schools face—from tight budgets to Ofsted pressures—and she’s passionate about bringing creativity into the classroom. She firmly believes that every child should have the chance to experience the magic of storytelling, no matter their school’s size or budget.


Of course, we at Stonehill Press sometimes wish she’d focus a little more on the numbers... but we wouldn’t have her any other way!


Who Can Apply for a Free Primary School Author Visit?

We offer free visits to:

  • Small village schools in the UK

  • Schools preparing for an Ofsted inspection

  • Schools under pressure to improve and in need of enrichment opportunities

  • Schools that might not otherwise be able to afford an author visit

What is included in a free school author visit?

Our free primary school author visits are highly interactive and immersive, featuring magical props, music, a bubbling cauldron, a slime-covered baby dragon, and costumes for all. During a two-hour visit, children will:

  • Experience an interactive, engaging storytelling session of The Best-Kept Secret

  • Take part in a hands-on, immersive, sensory-focused creative writing workshop

  • Explore folklore and legend in a fun and accessible way through 'Magic in the Mundane,' an inspiring multimedia presentation that encourages children to discover the extraordinary in the every day.


Free Primary School Author Visits with Sophie, author of The Best Kept Secret
The Best-Kept Secret School Author Visit

Creative Writing Workshops

Our creative writing workshops for schools are designed to spark imagination and develop essential writing skills through a range of engaging activities, including:

  • Sensory storytelling experiences, using blindfolds and sensory props including fresh herbs, liquorice root and mysterious magical artefacts to enhance descriptive writing

  • Role-playing exercises that bring characters and settings to life, helping students understand the importance of 'show, don't tell' techniques

  • Story structure guidance, teaching students how to plan and build compelling narratives

  • Imaginative exercises to encourage children to reimagine their surroundings and turn them into captivating stories



Children exploring sensory props during  Sophie's Best-Kept Secret Primary School Author Visit and creative writing workshop
Children exploring sesnory props during a Best-Kept Secret primary school author visit

Magic in the Mundane Presentation

The 'Magic in the Mundane' session introduces children to the wonder of storytelling hidden in everyday life. This dynamic multimedia presentation connects folklore, legend, and imagination, inspiring students to see magic in their surroundings and develop their storytelling skills.



"The Changeling' A beginners Guide to Boggarts, created by Sophie for The Best-Kept Secret Author sessions, Magic in the Mundane

What do Schools Need to Cover

While we waive our usual author visit fees completely, we do ask schools to cover:

  • Travel costs to and from the school at 0.45 pence per mile

  • The cost of consumables used during the creative writing workshops (such as props, materials, and themed items approximately 0.85 pence per child)


What We Ask in Return

All we ask in exchange for a free visit is:

  • Photos of the session (with appropriate permissions)

  • A testimonial for our website and social media


How to Apply for a Free Primary School Author Visit


Sophie can only offer a limited number of free visits each year, and they are only available at certain times. We receive more enquiries than we have places, but we announce these opportunities on our Facebook page and blog—so be sure to follow and check in regularly to avoid missing out!


However, if you can't wait, please get in touch—Sophie believes every child should have the chance to experience the magic of storytelling, and she’ll do her best to help.


Contact us to discuss your free primary school author visit today!



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