Andrew Norriss

Children's author, Scriptwriter

Available for:
Interview
Talk


Website: http://www.andrewnorriss.co.uk

Contact: andrewnorrissbtinternet.com
01264 860262

Awards:
Winner of Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year 1997
Lancashire Fantastic Book Award 2007
Silver Smarties Book Prize 1998
Bedfordshire Children’s Book Award 2008

Audiences:
Adults, 8-11 (Key stage 2)


Details

Over the last 20 years I have written over 11 children's books and some 150 episodes of television comedy for both adults and children including Aquila, Bernard's Watch, Matt's Million, Woof! and The Brittas Empire.

My aim is to remind children that reading and writing is fun and that there is nothing better than a good story. I talk about books, stories, what makes them work; how people like different stories, the sort of stories I write and why, and how I set about writing a book or TV script – ideas, plotting, beginnings and endings. I try to involve everyone so that we not only have fun but get thinkiing as well.

My books are aimed at 8-12 year olds and as well as being fun adventure stories, they offer great scope for discussion, creative work and developing students' own writing. 
What would you do if you could stop time? How would your life change if you could undo your mistakes? If you could find the answer to anything, what question would you ask?

On my wife's website at http://anorrissbooks.wordpress.com you will find detailed info about my visits and books, and resources which include ideas for preparation and follow up to a visit, Activity sheets, extracts to read, feedback from schools and libraries, news of events etc.

All my books have been shortlisted for Book Awards around the country and are recommended by the National Literacy Trust and School Library Service.

Feedback from Schools and Libraries

Alverstoke Primary School  June 2009
“What a wonderful day. I couldn’t have hoped for better. Andrew was enthusiastic and inspiring. My primary aim for book week was to get boys reading and enjoy it and thanks to Andrew this was achieved. There was a buzz around the school when he left and it still continues.  Regards Michaela”

Western School, Winchester
“Our thanks to Andrew for coming to speak with our Year 6. Kids were impressed with Andrew’s knowledge of other current authors and enjoyed having a chance to ask him questions. 

 You might like to know that Ctrl-Z has been put in our recent PSHE planning for circle-time discussions throughout the school on making mistakes. For older children the sessions will be directly linked to the book. Kids can find it so hard to accept their own mistakes. A humourous look at someone else’s mistakes might just give a little needed perspective.

We look forward to the next book and the next visit.” Gale Stone 

Purbrook Junior School, Waterlooville
"I have had parents coming up to tell me how enthusiastic their children are over your stories. A boy who doesn't usually talk to me much about books came up, asked me if I'd read Ctrl-Z and proceeded to tell me all about it."  Caroline Hounsell

	Aquila 2 (isbn:0141328533) Aquila can you take you anywhere. It’s getting back that can be tricky . . . Tom and Geoff continue their adventures, flying further and discovering yet more amazing things that Aquila can do, as well as solving the problems that can arise. View in Amazon
	Aquila (isbn:0141308958) Two boys bunking off from a geography field trip stumble over Aquila (it means ‘eagle’ in Latin) in a cave. They've no idea what it is or what it does, but Geoff finds that, when you sit in it, these coloured lights come on... View in Amazon
	Ctrl-Z (isbn:0141324295) When Alex is given a laptop by Godfather John for his birthday, he finds it has a Ctrl-Z function that lets him ‘undo’ time. Which is kind of handy for those occasions when things didn't go too well first time round... View in Amazon
	The Portal (isbn:014132158X) William and his brother Daniel come home from school one day to find their parents have disappeared. Solving the mystery is not easy and involves some interesting learning curves along the way. View in Amazon
	The Unluckiest Boy in the World (isbn:0141318775) Nicholas Frith falls under an ancient curse while on holiday in Spain, and finds that misfortune and calamity now follow him wherever he goes. Naturally, not many people want to be friends with him, but then he meets Fiona ... View in Amazon
	The Touchstone (isbn:0141303433,) This is the story of how one of the most valuable objects in the galaxy falls into the hands of a very ordinary English schoolboy, Douglas Paterson, and what he decides to do with it. View in Amazon