SCHOOL VISITS & EVENTS
School Resources
Please check out my 'Resources' page for printable activity sheets and letters for schools and home.
School and Library Events
I would love to visit your school and inspire creativity, empathy and reading for pleasure! I offer an assembly-style presentation, a selection of class workshops, or a combination or both.
My main, 45-60 min, assembly is suitable for KS2/early KS3. Creative writing workshops are also available. For full details of 24/25 session content and fees, please download this document >>>>
I have experience of working with students as part of the 826 Valencia nonprofit in San Fransisco, tutoring under-resourced children in creative writing and journalism. I’m also an Empathy Lab trained author.
Testimonials
Brighton College Prep School:
The event was highly interactive, engaging pupils in discussions and activities centred around the themes of kindness and positivity. Lucy talked about her writing with enthusiasm and passion, encouraging them to think about how they can make a positive impact in their own lives and communities. Throughout the session, Lucy shared insights from her book, which emphasises the power of small acts of kindness. She involved our pupils in various exercises designed to foster empathy and understanding, making the event both educational and enjoyable.
Ashley, Year 6 teacher at Cradle Hill Community Primary School:
From start to finish, her interactive session was engaging and inspiring for the children. After sharing what had initially inspired her to become an author, Lucy provided captivating insights into her own writing process and the importance of re-drafting (which staff have since been able to draw upon in writing sessions with their own classes).
Lucy was relatable, warm and articulate. She was incredibly generous with her time and went above and beyond to answer the children’s questions and sign copies of her book. The corridors of our school have been buzzing with octopus facts since her visit and the children in my class are already queuing up for the chance to read our copy of ‘The Octopus, Dadu and Me’. I am sure that this will be a day that they remember for a long time.
Mr Jones, The Vineyard School:
The Octopus, Dadu and Me is a book which radiates courage and kindness. Lucy not only manages to match this kindness of her book but connects to all pupils through an engaging and interactive presentation. I would recommend a book signing as a part of her visit as she takes the time to personally interact with all children in a warm manner (as well as having a really cool octopus stamp).
Rachel Marshall, Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries:
Lucy Ann Unwin captured the attention and inspired the young people, her past employment as a music journalist and journey into writing fascinated them. Her in depth knowledge of ‘Octopuses' and tantalising quiz questions kept the audience on their toes!
Story Wolves After-school Writing Club
Run with Leonora Bolt author Lucy Brandt, Story Wolves is a new breed of after-school writing club to help children let their imaginations run wild! Both authors are passionate about inspiring reading and writing for pleasure through the joy of sharing stories.
The club is perfect for children of all writing abilities as they’ll be encouraged to unleash their creative monsters by playing howl-arious games, map-making, doodling and spoken storytelling, as well as using the written word.
Only available in the Brighton area. Please enquire using form below for details!
Bookshop Sessions
I offer a free interactive session for small groups in bookshops, assuming books can be provided for sale. Can be adapted for a drop-in drop-out session. Recommended age 7+
**NEW EVENT FOR 24/25** Join me to spread a little kindness by making and decorating an origami secret letter!
We'll look at how writing a letter could be used in many ways…as an invitation to listen to someone, a way of saying ‘thank you' or ‘I forgive you,’ to ask for help or just as a simple gift to cheer someone up!
I’ll also read from How To Be A Revolutionary to discover more simple acts of kindness we can use to change the world!
Testimonials
Charlotte, Waterstones Crawley:
Lucy Unwin’s comic creating and octopus trivia workshop welcomed children of many ages to tap into their imaginations while sketching out designs for their very own graphic novels, and test their under the sea facts in a fun, yet competitive, quiz!
It was a delight to watch the children buzz with enthusiasm as they generated ideas for their comics and we all learned a thing or two about the amazing octopus in the trivia game! This was such a wonderful event to celebrate Lucy’s brilliant and sensitive book, The Octopus, Dadu, and Me.
Events, festivals, panels
(Photography by Simon Edwards for WORDfest Crawley.)
Workshops.
I offer a fun and hands-on festival event for groups <50 with space to craft. For larger groups or seated venues please see details of the school assembly above!
**NEW EVENT FOR 24/25** Make a placard and join a mini-protest march!
Start your own revolution with How To Be A Revolutionary. We’ll be inspired by some famous world-changing kid-led campaigns but also think about how tiny actions in your own community can cause enough of a ripple to make the world a better place — just like Natalie sharing her love of rats with her classmates in the book!
We’ll be brainstorming our passions, building a world-changing team together and making protest placards to hold our own mini campaign march celebrating all our favourite things!
Chair.
With a background in broadcast and interviewing for the BBC, I am very much at home on your event stage and would happily chair panel events or interview authors.
For the BBC, I have interviewed entertainment figures from Paul McCartney to Colin Firth, Stevie Wonder to Will.i.Am. For my personal book blog, I have interviewed authors including Sally Rooney and twice National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward.
Experience of live TV as a regular guest on the BBC News Channel means I am a confident and adaptable host.
Guest.
I am happy to speak on panels, and specialise in talking about kindness, protest, activism, empathy, dementia and the writing journey.
Testimonials
Hazel Holmes, Director of Northern Young Adult Literary Festival and KIDSLitFest:
Lucy's event was well organised and fun filled, she kept her young audience engaged throughout.
CONTACT
Literary Agent & Film Enquiries via Emily Talbot at United Agents.
For all other enquiries, please use this form: