We have just had the most inspiring week with John Danalis.

John worked with children from 8 years and over, firstly sharing his author’s journey in large groups and then working with small groups of Year 4s in writing workshops.

At lunch break and morning break John worked tirelessly signing books and postcards. He held spontaneous drawing lessons & contests and delighted the children with his gentle and fun approach. Today John held workshops with 2 groups of older (Y8 & 9) learning support children and he even spent a couple of hours at a school for children with special needs.

John also held two adult sessions that were informative, moving and entertaining. He even came to our adult bookclub and spent an evening chatting with us.

Unfortunately, I can’t put any photos with kids faces here, but here are a couple of pics of our “shoe” design competition and of John hard at work.

I would highly recommend John for a wide range of ages and abilities and for his flexibility, his hard work, his ease to spend time with and his enormous talent.

Barbara Philip, Teacher-Librarian, Singapore

Barb’s photo slideshow from John Danalis’ visit, February 2011: