Free classroom stuff
School talks
Puzzles & activities
Teaching materials
Limited availability! Free 30-minute interactive sessions for inner city schools or schools in deprived areas. Please message me if your school is eligible.
Teaching materials
Puzzles & activities
Teaching materials
Find a handy 50-page teaching resource on the Quicksmiths website - with a focus on critical thinking and playful learning (thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England).
Puzzles & activities
Puzzles & activities
Puzzles & activities
Visit the Puzzles and Activities tab of the Quicksmiths website - you'll find riddles, origami videos, crosswords, word searches and more - all free and available to download.
Teacher Testimonials
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
"What a delight it was to receive a visit from Loris on World Book Day! The children at Morehall Primary School in Years 4, 5 and 6 were treated to an insight into the world of Kip and the mind of a truly child-centric author. Since Loris' visit, children have been 'chomping at the bit' to begin reading or listening to The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith. We're now sharing the book in episodes at the end of each day in Year 6 and the children are simply loving it!"
Mrs Hughes, Impress the Examiner, Various
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
"I chose Loris Owen’s 'The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith' in the Year 6 into 7 sessions because it’s engaging, funny and paints great characters and I know it will appeal to a wide variety of students and inspire them to be creative. It has been a delight to work with Loris, to learn more about her book, her inspiration and her writing process."
Mrs Coleman, Westlodge School, Sidcup
Tom Waterman, Morehall Primary School, Folkestone
Mrs Coleman, Westlodge School, Sidcup
"The children, myself and the Head Teacher thought your session was absolutely wonderful. Those who participated were so keen to encourage others to read and were inspired to continue writing after the session had finished."
Example Sessions
15-minute session
Includes:
- 15-minute Q&A; or
- 10-minute Q&A + short reading from the book
30-minute session - The Real Science behind Quicksmiths
Includes:
- Q&A
- Presentation
- 'Draw Your Own Strange Energy' activity
- Signed poster
30-minute session - Puzzles and Games can make your Writing Better
Includes:
- Q&A
- Presentation
- 'Timeyarn machine' thought experiment
- Signed poster
30-minute session - Make-believe Animals in Literature
Includes:
- Q&A
- 'Create Your Own Make-believe Animal' activity
- Short reading from the book
- Signed poster
Creative Writing Workshops
Each session is created around one of four themes:
- Strange Inventions
- Puzzles & Games
- Strange Energy
- Imaginary Pets
Workshops are tailored for Years 5, 6 & 7. For Year 4, please see the shorter sessions above.
Example workshops: Strange Inventions
45-minute session
Includes:
- My top methods for creative thinking
- 2-3 group and solo writing exercises including brainstorming Strange Inventions, two fun and easy methods for creating a name for your Strange Invention, and a short creative writing exercise
- Personalised postcard to the class after the session
55-minute session
Includes:
- Q&A
- My top methods for creative thinking
- 3-5 group and solo writing exercises, including brainstorming Strange Inventions, three fun and easy methods for creating a name for your Strange Invention, what do Strange Inventions sound like, a short creative writing exercise, and a drawing exercise
- My written answers to any questions we don't manage to cover in the session
- Personalised postcard to the class after the session
- Prize for the best Strange Invention
Assemblies and Larger Groups
Sideways Thinking
Tips and tricks for solving problems, keeping your mind flexible and finding new angles
Why Daydreaming is Good for You
Relaxed minds perform better
Imaginary Places
Escaping into invented worlds and imaginary journeys
Bookshop & Library Events
Includes:
- Riddles and puzzles handouts
- Readings from the book
- Signing
- Paper plane flying squirrel demos
- Draw your own squirls activities
- Optional: giveaways
Usually I only charge for travel costs and giveaways - please get in touch with your dates.
Pupil Testimonials
Student, Gravesend Grammar
Student, Gravesend Grammar
Student, Gravesend Grammar
"Thanks Loris, it's been brilliant fun! Time bananas!"
LB, Morehall Primary
Student, Gravesend Grammar
Student, Gravesend Grammar
"I think the Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is an exciting book - even in the first chapter, there are lots of plot twists and lots of questions which need answering. I can't wait to find out who sent the golden coin!"
MB, Morehall Primary
Student, Gravesend Grammar
MB, Morehall Primary
"I think it was really awesome to hear about a new book as I haven't heard about a book that interests me in a long time and this one did."
BM, Morehall Primary
BM, Morehall Primary
MB, Morehall Primary
"I love that you can solve the riddles inside the book and send them to Loris to win a prize."
AH, Morehall Primary
BM, Morehall Primary
AH, Morehall Primary
"The video that introduces Loris' story is entertaining; I like the way it was set out. And that's coming from someone who doesn't really like books!"
