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On this page, we answer the following questions:
- Why should I book John Dougherty for my school visit or other event?
- What happens during a typical visit?
- How can I book John?
Why book a visit from John?
ProfessionalismWhen you book John, you're not just getting a critically-acclaimed writer of both ridiculously funny and beautifully touching books for children. You're getting a performing songwriter, a poet, and a former teacher with all the skills necessary to have a hall full of kids helpless with laughter one minute, and ready to leave the hall quietly and sensibly the next. Fun!"In an age where all-things electronic are vying for children's attention, John Dougherty is a wonderful ambassador for books. His events are as loud and colourful as his shirts. They're packed with humour and music - he plays a mean guitar - and he clearly illustrates (not with a pen, thank heavens) the joys of reading and writing. A John Dougherty session is such fun that his young audiences - big or small - might not realise just quite how much they're learning."
- Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Philip Ardagh |
InspirationChildren and teachers alike love John's sessions. An expert communicator and a very funny man, he'll enthral them, inspire them, and at times have them helpless with laughter - but there'll be moments, too, when the hall will be utterly still, and the air of concentration palpable. Most of all - the lasting effectJohn's major aim is to help the school in developing or maintaining a culture of Reading for Pleasure.
It sometimes feels like not a day goes by without someone producing more evidence that reading for pleasure is enormously good for both children and adults. An author visit can be a very effective way to help children make the connection between reading and fun, and with years of experience as a teacher, a writer and a performer, John is one of the best choices you could make. |
What happens on a visit?
In the sessions
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EYFS
With the very little ones, I'll keep it cosy and fun without over-exciting them. Expect a story or two, a song, perhaps some poetry, and just the right amount of joining-in. Where possible I prefer to visit EYFS in their own classroom or unit - it helps keep things comfortable for the youngest if we're in familiar surroundings. |
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KS1& KS2
With the rest of the primary phase it's a bit livelier. I'll read and sing to them, talk about my work and answer their questions. It's high-energy, with a lot of laughter and at least as much inspiration - not to mention some significant provoking of thought. |
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A typical primary school visit usually involves the following sessions, in no particular order:
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KS3
A KS3 session includes poetry performance, Q&A, and a song or two - maybe more, if it seems appropriate. I'll talk about why poetry matters, how it belongs to all of us, and how as a teenager it helped me to find my voice. As with the primary sessions, I'll be responsive to students and pitch what I'm doing to their level. |
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FAQs |
How far will you travel for a school visit or event?
The furthest I've ever travelled specifically for a school visit is Delhi, which is over 4,200 miles away from my house, but I'd be willing to go further!
Obviously, the farther I go the more organising it may take, and visits more than 2 hours' drive from home normally require an overnight stay, but distance really is no object.
For English-speaking schools in the EU, please note that I'm a dual national with the right to freedom of movement.
The furthest I've ever travelled specifically for a school visit is Delhi, which is over 4,200 miles away from my house, but I'd be willing to go further!
Obviously, the farther I go the more organising it may take, and visits more than 2 hours' drive from home normally require an overnight stay, but distance really is no object.
For English-speaking schools in the EU, please note that I'm a dual national with the right to freedom of movement.
Can you offer virtual visits?
Absolutely. Whether for reasons of distance, convenience or global pandemic, I'm fully equipped to do online events.
Absolutely. Whether for reasons of distance, convenience or global pandemic, I'm fully equipped to do online events.
Do you do half-days?
I can offer a half-day visit at a reduced rate to small schools less than an hour's drive from my home in Stroud, Gloucestershire - do ask if you're not sure if yours qualifies.
I can offer a half-day visit at a reduced rate to small schools less than an hour's drive from my home in Stroud, Gloucestershire - do ask if you're not sure if yours qualifies.
What's your maximum group size in a session?
The only constraints on group size are practical ones such as hall size. I've got pretty good vocal projection!
The largest group I've ever presented to was 1,700 children and teachers at the 2017 Hay Festival, with an additional 900 primary schools watching on livestream, so I don't think I have a maximum, really.
The only constraints on group size are practical ones such as hall size. I've got pretty good vocal projection!
The largest group I've ever presented to was 1,700 children and teachers at the 2017 Hay Festival, with an additional 900 primary schools watching on livestream, so I don't think I have a maximum, really.
John at the 2017 Hay Festival
Can you do workshops?
Of course! See the next bit for more details.
Of course! See the next bit for more details.
Workshops and other options
I love doing my standard interactive school visits, as described above, but sometimes schools ask for other options. Workshops I can offer include:
- Story workshops
- Poetry workshops
- Songwriting workshops
Here's a home recording of a song a Year 7 class and I wrote together in a workshop recently.
Alternatively, you might like:
- an interactive retelling of a Shakespeare story or a Greek legend, in which I help some of the children to take on the roles of different characters
- a parent session - if you're keen to involve parents, I can offer an end-of-day Reading for Pleasure assembly for parents & children, or a timetabled parents-only session to talk about reading with your children
I'm happy to consider other options, too, to meet the particular needs of individual schools. Do ask!
Please note that workshops will need to be limited in numbers.
Please note that workshops will need to be limited in numbers.
How can I book a visit?
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"If you can get to an event with John (or want him to visit your school), I can’t recommend him highly enough"
- Chicken & Frog bookshop, Brentwood My bookings are handled by the wonderful people at Authors Aloud UK. You can contact them using the form on the left - to book a visit, or to make enquiries. 
At the Eden Project in Cornwall, 2017
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Why book signings matter
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The book signing is a really important part of the visit.
I blogged about the reasons here, if you'd like to read in depth; but in short: sometimes a child connects in a new way with a book or an author during a visit. Offering them the option of taking a signed book home with them afterwards can help to turn that connection into a love of reading. For that reason, I always do a book signing when I visit a school. Don't worry - I'll never pressure the children or make them feel that they 'ought' to buy a book; but by the same token I expect any school that values reading for pleasure enough to book me will make sure the children know the option is available. |
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And if you'd like a signed book...
All these Gloucestershire booksellers know how to get hold of me:
Borderless Books (Stroud)
The Stroud Bookshop
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop (Please contact the Nailsworth branch)
Octavia's Bookshop (Cirencester)
Click the links in the names to go to the shop websites. You can order any of my books, and ask the shop to get me to come in and sign it before they post it.
All these Gloucestershire booksellers know how to get hold of me:
Borderless Books (Stroud)
The Stroud Bookshop
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop (Please contact the Nailsworth branch)
Octavia's Bookshop (Cirencester)
Click the links in the names to go to the shop websites. You can order any of my books, and ask the shop to get me to come in and sign it before they post it.