Author Visits & Workshops
Meet the Author
I am passionate about supporting children's positive wellbeing.
Through my mindfulness based books, Slow Down Amaya and Slow Down Sammy, I share ways to help children look after their minds and develop their emotional literacy with mindfulness through storytelling.
I have 11 years of experience delivering social and emotional based activities with children and teenagers individually, in small groups. and large groups in schools and youth & community work settings
I'm a Children’s Author, Creative Mindfulness Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Teacher and Coach, and former Community Education Worker.
School Visits
A 2021 Book Trust report highlighted that:
“School visits as an important way to nurture the next generation of creators of colour. Exposure to visible role models can inspire and challenge how children see themselves and careers in the creative industry.”
Slow Down Amaya and Slow Down Sammy have themes of mindfulness, kindness, diversity and inclusion weaved in the books.
These sessions align to the Curriculum for Excellence in relation to Health and Wellbeing, “Mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing” as they support children to “understand and develop my physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and social skills”.
Children can use the techniques learnt during the session to help them regulate their emotions and look after their overall wellbeing.
In Person author school visits for p1-p3 pupils include:
Book reading of Slow Down Amaya and Slow Down Sammy
Q&A Session
Curriculum aligned lesson plans emailed after the session
These sessions help children develop their emotional literacy and promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Previous School Visits
May 2024 - Falla Hill Primary, West Lothian
June 2024 - Murrayburn Primary, Edinburgh
June 2024 - Duddingston Primary, Edinburgh
July & August 2024 - LS Tuition- Summer School, Edinburgh
September 2024 - Balgreen Primary, Edinburgh
March 2025- Falla Hill Primary, West Lothian
Children’s Testimonials
“I'm going to practice breathing with my [breathing] ball at home.”
“I feel so relaxed. I could go to sleep.”
“I liked your book. I'm going to buy it.”
“I want to write books when I'm older.”
“I think your book is excellent. I can't wait to read your next book about Sammy”
Visit Details
I ask for a minimum of 20 book orders for a school visit lasting 1 hour or 25 orders for a visit lasting 90 minutes
Or
I can send an invoice for the visit
Book Orders
Once we have confirmed a date for the visit I will send you a flyer with information about the visit, to share in advance with parents and carers. The flyer includes a payment link to order a copy of the book.
I’ll bring the book orders on the day of the school visit.
Orders can be from teachers, school staff and/or parents/carers.
Price
1 hour - £200
1½ hours - £250
Plus public transport travel expenses for Edinburgh and the Lothians - £5
Schools may be eligible to apply for Live Literature funding via Scottish Book Trust to cover the cost of author visits.
Virtual Author Visits
30 minute storytelling session sharing Slow Down Amaya and Slow Down Sammy with a Q&A.
Your school will receive an ebook copy of both stories, plus downloadable curriculum aligned lesson plans.
Price
£100
My fees are based on the Live Literature Trust fees.
Funding an Author Visit
I understand that school budgets and funding can be limited. If this is the case for your school, below are a few school fundraising ideas to fund an author visit.
Pupil Council-led fundraising
Parent/Teacher associations (PTA)
Sponsored reading or wellbeing events
Testimonials from Schools
-
"P1b loved meeting Natasha and listening to her read her wonderful book ‘Slow Down Amaya’. It received rave reviews from the class and Natasha shared her top tips when writing stories and we can't wait to start creating our own characters. A really inspirational visit.”
-P1 Teacher, Edinburgh
-
“We were so lucky to have an author visit us in class today. Natasha read us her story which included some mindfulness activities. We asked her lots of questions about how to become an author and many of us feel inspired to write our own stories. Maybe one day we will get our own book published!”
- P3 Teacher, Edinburgh
-
“We thoroughly enjoyed meeting author Natasha. We will continue to use many of Natasha’s mindfulness techniques to help us in school. What a lovely way to start the school day.”
P1/2 Teacher, Edinburgh
Workshops
I offer Mindfully Slow Down Workshops to Edinburgh primary schools for 1-3 pupils.
My Mindfully Slow Down Workshops support the Scottish Governments goals for schools in their ‘Relationships and behaviour in Schools: National Action Plan 2024 to 2027’ that highlights:
“Action 9: Age and stage appropriate resources are available to support children’s social and emotional development.”
The books in The Mindfully Slow Down Series support children to develop their social and emotional skills.
The stories include the following themes:
Kindness
Diversity
Inclusion
Emotional literacy
Friendship
What's Included?
Mindfully Slow Down Workshops are interactive sessions that share:
Read alouds of Slow Down Amaya or Slow Down Sammy
Author Q&A
Creative Mindfulness activities :
Breathing exercises
Mindful listening with instruments
Guided meditation
Drawing activity
Extras included
2 books for the school
Curriculum for Excellence aligned health and wellbeing lesson plans
Each workshop lasts approximately 45 minutes
Investment
Two classrooms
£300
Four classrooms
£450-£500
Session Options and Pricing
| Session Type | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Author Visit (inc Q&A) | 2 classrooms (60 mins) | £200 |
| Short Story Readings | Up to 4 classrooms (20 min readings) (90 mins) | £250 |
| Workshop (2 sessions) | 2 x 45-min workshops (~90 mins) | £300 |
| Full Workshop Day (4 sessions) | 4 x 45-min workshops (~3 hrs incl. breaks) | £450–£500 (dependent on class sizes & travel time) |
| Travel – Edinburgh & Lothians | Flat rate | £5 |
| Travel – Outside Edinburgh | Public transport (off-peak fares) | Varies |
Single sessions: 60–90 mins
Workshops: 45 mins each (2–4 sessions per visit)
Please note: Travel is additional to the session price: £5 for Edinburgh & Lothians, or public transport fare for locations further afield.
I’d love to bring my books and mindfulness activities to your school and help your pupils explore emotions through story and creativity.
Not sure which option fits your school? I’m happy to help, just send me an email!
2024 Past Events
Book Readings and Workshops
19th April- Oxgangs Library, Edinburgh
26th April- Slow Down Amaya Book launch - Lila Yoga, Edinburgh
19th May- Slow Down Sunday Workshops - National Museum of Scotland
23rd May- MakeBelieve- The Baby Play Place, Edinburgh
26th May - North Merchiston Club, Edinburgh
7th June - Colinton Library, Edinburgh
15th June - Morningside Library, Edinburgh
5th July - Currie Library, Edinburgh
19th July - Balgreen Library, Edinburgh
10th August - Balerno Library, Edinburgh
20th October - Slow Down Sammy book Launch, North Merchistion Club
9th November - SCCR ‘BIG Family Event’, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
17th November - Little Plaza, Edinburgh
2025 Events
27th April - Storytelling Session The Edinburgh Bookshop
8th May - UK Reads webinar Homegrown Readers and Writers: Crafting a Literacy-Rich Environment for Your Children