Writing Loris

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Writing Loris

Writing LorisWriting LorisWriting Loris
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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."

Visits & Talks

I love doing events (especially if I can wear my flying squirrel onesie) - so please get in touch! I have public liability insurance and am DBS checked for volunteer work. These sessions are highly interactive with oodles of sideways thinking, wordplay and giggles.


Workshops incorporate the following in varying degrees:

- creative learning that breaks down the walls between science and the arts

- giving children the freedom of thought that allows them to change their world for the better

- inspiring confidence through sharing ideas, group activities and building on existing knowledge


Sessions with riddles additionally encourage imaginative problem-solving in the form of Sideways Thinking (i.e. looking at puzzles and creativity in a different way).


Read on to find out more about the different sessions.

Please use the contact form to get in touch.

go to form

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

Carleton High summer school

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!"

Copyright © 2023 Loris Owen - All Rights Reserved.

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