Kjartan Poskitt's Author Appearances & Maths Shows

2006 summary: 65 venues, 144 events, total audience attendance 25,000.

"...he possesses a prodigious gift of the (Yorkshire) gab, appears to be incapable
of not enjoying himself, and plays his audience with the finesse of a maestro.
Maths will never seem the same again."
from Chris Stephenson's review of Kjartan at Hebden Bridge, June 2000
published in CAROUSEL issue 16 (the guide to children's books)

Details       List of confirmed dates       References       Links

My C.V. (This includes details which you may use for publicity.)       Photos for publicity

CONFERENCES, FESTIVALS, TEACHER DAYS and all other events that don't involve hundreds of kids in a school, please read through the details below first then contact me using

All SCHOOL ENQUIRIES please check the general details below, and also check the special advice for school bookings then contact me using the special schools email link at the end of the section.

Providing puzzles for an adult numeracy discussion on BBC Breakfast 6/6/08.		With 350 kids and 10 teachers at Wolfreton School, Willerby, Hull in June 2004

Click for Publicity and Poster Photos

Watch me introducing my new novel at MEET THE AUTHOR

The story so far...

In the past years I've appeared at theatres, festivals, colleges, conference centres, schools, libraries and bookshops in places as diverse as Belfast, Lowestoft, Carmarthen, Newquay, The Shetland Isles, Dublin and some Spanish place about 12 miles from the Rock of Gibralter! I've done regular appearances for Beacon Schools, G&T groups, Philip Allan Updates, Ireland Maths Week, Gatsby and Setpoint, and I've also done special events at The London Science Museum, The Bradford National Photographic and Cinema Museum, London Olympia (BETT), The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge....
...and many thanks to everyone involved for booking me.

Details of Appearances Click here for PRINT FRIENDLY version of details/requirements What I can do       Suitable venues       Where are you?       Requirements       Book sales/Posters       Fees/Availability       School Bookings Click HERE to see the full TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT review WHAT I CAN DO: You choose what kind of event you want. Everything has plenty of audience participation, I'm glad to answer any questions and (hopefully) we'll have some good laughs. Although aimed at intelligent kids aged 10-12, I find that at festivals I'm usually playing to as many mums, dads and grannies as children. I've also done GCSE groups and summer schools. No limit to audience size - in fact, generally the more the better. I've done audiences of well over 1000. MATHS SESSIONS I perform between 40-75 mins of the sort of stuff found in my Murderous Maths books including flexagons, magic squares, strange number facts, knots, tricks, codes, amazing number predictions and so on. I tend to adjust the complexity and content of what I do to the response of the audience I'm in front of. Suitable for schools/events that need two sessions to different audiences. Appearing live on CBBC's "XChange" 12/1/05 MATHS SHOW I can do two different 45 minute sessions which you could present as a "show" with an interval. This is only suitable for selected school audiences (e.g. mathematically Gifted and Talented kids), or family functions such as library openings or festivals. Obviously I'd be delighted to sign books during the interval or afterwards. THE SOLAR SYSTEM TALK 60 minutes. I explain the size and scale of the solar system, how gravity holds the moon in place (as discovered by Isaac Newton!), how eclipses happen, what the different planets are like and what are meteors and comets. Lots of questions for the audience to think about, suitable for ages 8-12. (The same kids could see this talk and a maths session in a day.) AUTHOR TALK 20-45 mins. I do an introduction talking generally about how I got started writing books (both fiction and non-fiction), plays, tv scripts (and comics!) and then it works best if I continue by answering questions. Therefore the kids should have suitable questions prepared beforehand! I can talk about the unexpected bonuses and pitfalls of the job, and give advice on getting started and a few guidelines on how to write. Please note that like most authors, my academic training had little to do with writing (I was an engineer) so everything I talk about is purely from my own experience. Although I don't put a maximum audience on any of my events, author talks are better suited to more intimate groups (e.g. max 50 kids). SPEECHES (for Prize Givings or other Functions) : 30-40 mins similar to the maths sessions - demonstrating some of the maths tricks and routines both for entertainment and information. This headmistress is about to lose £5 COMPERE I've hosted hundreds of events ranging from quiz nights to variety shows, from prize givings to auctions - so don't be scared to ask! TEACHER SEMINARS/CONFERENCES I'm often invited to talk to groups of teachers in which I demonstrate and explain tricks, number squares, finger tables and so on to give ideas for classroom activities and lessons. Duration up to 100 mins. Most of what I cover is summarised here: Teacher Resources A MIXTURE! I'm quite happy to do a couple of maths sessions and maybe an informal author library session over lunch, or perhaps a school session then an after-school teacher session, or any other selection that suits you. My only stipultation is that I'm not supposed to push my voice for more than about 3 hours in the day. Click here for special advice on school bookings SUITABLE VENUES:     Filming for BBC Schools TV on a bus in Scarborough     First shown on BBC2 March 2002     "The Maths Channel" .... winner of the 2002 R.T.S. Award     for best science/maths/ICT programme. THEATRES: are best! It means that I can entertain more people more effectively, plus it's easy to see what I'm doing and the acoustics are better. The event also makes a much bigger impression on the audience. SCHOOL VENUES: Any assembly hall, a/v room, drama studio etc. is suitable providing the kids can sit comfortably for the duration of the sessions. No limit to audience size providing they can all see me working on a flip chart and hear what I'm saying (see REQUIREMENTS below). Generally sports halls are unsuitable because of the acoustics. PUBLIC VENUES: Ideally a theatre setting or appropriate room with seating (or carpeted floor) for audience. Usually organisers arrange admission on a ticket basis, but that's up to you. I can work out of doors if there is a reasonable p.a. system and if the audience is contained - what I do NOT do is any sort of busker or street theatre set up where I have to keep calling people over to see me. No limit to audience size providing they can all see me working on a flip chart. WHERE ARE YOU? I avoid overnight stays for single days, so engagements must be within reasonable travelling time, preferably by rail, from YORK. These would include Edinburgh, central London, Manchester and most of the NE. (Any trip involving the awful York-Birmingham train service is a gamble!) If travelling is to take much more than 2 hours each way, then either you could organise one big early afternoon show with a massive audience or it may be possible to co-ordinate with other people in your area to make a 2-3 day visit worthwhile. Such trips need to be booked well in advance, and I always look on them more favourably if you can find me an interesting place to stay! The yellow building is the Pier House Hotel, Charlestown, St Austell where Liz Hurley, (a very enterprising librarian in Newquay) put me up. Highly recommended - and not far from the Eden Project! This is what 500 kids at Exmouth looked like in Oct 2006 REQUIREMENTS: Flexagons on the big screen at Reading, April 2005 Absolutely VITAL: I need a flip chart with plenty of paper! This will usually be adequate for audiences up to 300 providing you have a well-lit stage area. For very large venues, you can point a camera at the flip chart and project onto a big screen or monitors. If a flip chart is not practical, a large white board (not electronic) or a wall covered in paper is ok. Otherwise for large venues I can work with a visualiser coupled to a projection system (i.e. I write on a desk unit that has an overhead camera). As a last resort I can use an overhead projector but only if absolutely necessary. I will need to be advised in advance what you are supplying for me to work on. I do NOT use "Powerpoint" presentations or electronic white boards. P.A. System: Unless your venue is quiet, small and contained, then I need some sort of amplifier set up. (In recent years I've had to take medical advice on my voice.) In certain circumstances I can provide my own p.a., otherwise I can bring my own radio mic if you can supply some sort of amplifier (a small guitar amplifier is usually quite adequate, and most school music departments have something suitable to borrow). If using a portable amplifier system please ensure that there's somewhere to plug it in that works! If your venue is especially noisy or echoey- (e.g. sports hall) please ensure your system is adequate. Lighting: As well as working on a flip chart, I use a number of props. Therefore the stage or performance area should be adequately lit, and I should also be able to see the audience. This is very rarely a problem, but it should be considered if I'm working with any form of big screen projection. Staff: an adequate number of responsible staff MUST be present at all times. This especially applies to schools for insurance purposes and in the very unlikely event of needing to deal with any excessive disruption. Water - a bottle of still mineral water is extremely welcome especially for longer sessions. To ensure you get what you want from author talks, it's best if kids have questions prepared beforehand. You may wish me to be "introduced" by a chairperson which is nice but not vital. Lunch - a quick sandwich is all I need. However if I'm not required to sign books or talk over lunchtime and there's a suitable pub nearby, then that's always very welcome! It took me 10 hours to get to Tretherras School, Newquay, Cornwall - Oct 2004 ! BOOK SALES/POSTERS: if you've organised copies of my books to be on sale, of course I'm delighted to do signings. (I do not bring my own books for sale but if you want to organise this yourself, a local bookshop will probably be happy to arrange you some copies on a sale or return basis, and they can usually offer some sort of commission. Otherwise you could try the publicity dept. at Scholastic but they need several weeks notice. Scholastic publicity can also let you have some POSTERS to put up. The Scholastic number is 020 7756 7756.) FEES... depend on where you are and what you want. Non-school enquiries please contact me at for details, telling me where you are and giving me an idea of what you'd like me to do. All school enquiries should first see special advice for school bookings and then use the special schools email link at the end of the section. AVAILABLILITY The list of dates below gives some indication of when I'm already booked, although I have numerous other commitments not listed. I try to limit appearances to around 6 days per month otherwise I'd never get anything else done! Utterly failing to impress anyone with my fluent Welsh Maesteg, Wales May 2003 CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING Once we've agreed details I will ask you for written confirmation on headed notepaper clearly stating 1/ the date and time I'm required 2/ what equipment you're supplying (i.e. flip chart, p.a. system etc) 3/ confirming the fee 4/ what name the invoice should be made out to 5/ the exact location of the venue with a map/directions. 6/ A telephone contact number. AUDIO / VISUAL RECORDINGS If you want anybody to film or otherwise record what I do, please check with me beforehand. Usually it's no problem, but sometimes camera crews can be extremely thoughtless about just wandering about in front of the audience and obstructing their view. I also have to be wary of having my material casually chucked onto the telly without any proper credit or recompense. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS Some press photographers simply take pictures from the back while I'm performing which is fine. However most of them like to pose their own shots, and if this is allowed to happen during a session it can be both time-consuming and disruptive. It's best if posed shots can be taken at the end of a session.   Advance Notice! Please arrange any bookings as soon as possible as I already have dates reserved up to a year in advance.

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Prize giving at Letchworth, July 2006

Sophisticated comedy at the North East Maths Fair - June 2001

Upsetting the ladies at Monks Walk School, Welwyn Garden City March 2003

Audience assembling at Newcastle Discovery Museum, March 2005

CONFIRMED DATES:

2009

JUNE

3 Glasgow Science Festival

11 Sefton Maths Conference, Liverpool

23 Nottingham

26 Birmingham

JULY

2 Maltby *

6 Bolton

7 Guildford

8 Bexley *

10 Leeds

AUGUST

27 Edinburgh Book Festival *

SEPTEMBER

26 Bath Book Festival

OCTOBER

7 Hull *

10 Ilkley Book Festival

12 Cheltenham Book Festival *

NOVEMBER

13 Casterton *

18 Stanley

2010

FEBRUARY

23 County Durham

24 Lanchester, County Durham

25 County Durham

MARCH

2 Langley Moor, County Durham

3 Witton Gilber, County Durham

4 Tanfield Lee, County Durham *

LINKS

To Kjartan Poskitt Main Index Page.

To my Book Page.

To my C.V. (This includes details which you may use in programmes or other publicity.)

** Thanks to Kay Blyth, Frank Laughton, John Grundon, Dyfrig Ellis, Liz Hurley, Heather Sims, Colette Murphy and Patricia Sharkey for sending the photos **

 

REFERENCES

Here are a few of the kind remarks that came by e-mail:

Letter from Caitlin (age 11) of Greenock. ... we were expecting an old man who would go on about times tables and boring maths... ...after five minutes there was water in my eyes from laughing so much...

E-mail to "Pongo McWhiffy" of the Murderous Maths books Hello Pongo, I think you are cool and I love the pearson who wrote the books that you where in because he came to Brough primary school today and he made me cry with laughter. Love Annabelle xxxx

• Year 7 had the 'best time' last Tuesday at your Maths Show. In their words you were "mint", "wicked", "fantastic"; your amazing ability to keep the children so enthralled throughout the show, and the endless energy and contagious enthusiasm was a marvel to watch. The other teachers have been saying " we've got to have him back" and for me Tuesday afternoons will never be the same again... Mrs Zeenat Abbas, Mortimer School, South Shields
• How can I thank you for such a wonderful day...if any schools would like verification of their value for money, just point them our way.... this was one day that we will talk about for a long time to come... Jane Scott (librarian), Hilbre High School, The Wirral
• Thank you for your brilliant performances during our Book Week. I think the students and staff will be talking about it (and reading!) for a long time to come. Our Head of Maths is delighted - her son who isn't keen on reading is well into "Murderous Maths" now! Morag Thorne (librarian), Kirk Hallam Tech College, Derbyshire
• Thank you so much for your afternoon. Everyone thought you were brilliant - children and adults alike. It was wonderful to watch a professional entertainer at work, and you were worth every penny.... Linda Calvert, Pickering Summer School, Hull.
• Thank you sincerely for yesterday - you were terrific and genuinely "took the place by storm" in the nicest possible way. I have had many comments from staff, students and parents all enthusing about the way the Awards Afternoon left them feeling upbeat and optimistic... and your books are selling like hot cakes! Jeff Bower (Headmaster), Pocklington.
• Thanks for this morning Kjartan. 50 people of all ages went home feeling good and well entertained even though they'd been engaging with 2 hours of mathematics. Mike Cooper, Humberside Maths Association.

SPECIAL ADVICE FOR SCHOOL BOOKINGS If you want to book me for a school, please read the whole of this section! BOOKING ME From 2007 I'm having to cut right back on school appearances, so although I still hope to do a few I am extremely selective as to where I go. If you plan to book a theatre for a big afternoon show and are going to fill it with years 6-7-8, and sell my books afterwards then I'll do my very best to be there! This makes a memorable event for the kids and gives all of us the best time. (Such days usually involve bringing other schools in.) I no longer do a full day of multiple sessions or "workshops" and will only talk to years 9 and older if they are selected interested maths groups. PLANNING A DAY Before I agree to an engagement, I need a rough idea of how you hope to timetable the day, in particular what time you need me to arrive. Please bear in mind three things: Unless I'm doing a multi-day trip and staying overnight, I will be travelling from York on the day, probably by rail which means allowing for delays. It helps me if you have looked at National Rail Times to see what's practical and the different fares in the day. If I'm doing more than one session I do not need overlong breaks between sessions. I don't like spending long periods cluttering up the staffroom - especially if I've had to set off from home very early to reach you - so please plan my time with you efficiently! Nearly all the best days I've had in schools have involved one big 60-70 minute maths session before lunch and another similar session in the afternoon. For lunch itself, I just need a quick sandwich. Some schools like to use the lunch break for an author session in the library, others take the chance to show off their local pub. Maybe one day I'll do an author session in the pub and get the best of both worlds! Of course I can do other combinations of sessions if you'd prefer, especially if you have a G&T maths set. Do feel free to contact me and see what's best. MATHS SESSION LENGTHS I generally suggest 60 minutes, but if there's a bit of extra time and the kids are receptive I can continue if desired. For specially selected G+T or keen maths groups then I can do up to 90 minutes (with or without an interval). AUTHOR SESSION LENGTHS I speak for 10 minutes about how I got started then answer questions. I suggest a total time of 20-45 mins depending on how curious and well-prepared your kids are likely to be! NOISE My maths sessions tend to be quite noisy, so to minimise disruption you are FAR better to bring as many suitable classes together for 60 mins, rather than have me do two smaller sessions. It's also more fun and makes a much bigger impression on the kids! SMALLER SCHOOLS to split the costs you might find it convenient to share a visit with other schools in your area. Either the kids could all be brought to one place or I could be taken around for the day. MATHS ABILITY GUIDE Years 6, 7 and 8 are generally the best audiences, but as a general rule, if kids know what a "squared number" means, then my maths sessions/shows are appropriate. I don't do the very basic numeracy stuff. Although sessions are best aimed at 10-12 year olds, I've had great sessions with groups as young as 8 (as long as they're attentive). However, please do NOT put me in front of disinterested and non-motivated teenagers in the hope that I will make them start smiling in maths lessons. It's a waste of my time and your money. REQUIREMENTS Flip chart with paper and usually a working p.a. system and a bottle of still water, but please see details above. SUITABLE VENUES/BOOK SALES/POSTERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/AVAILABILITY/CONFIRMATION Again please see details above STAFF an adequate number of responsible staff MUST be present at all times. This is for insurance purposes and if necessary, to deal with any excessive disruption. (see next section) DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR Please forgive me if this section seems to state the obvious - but very occasionally I visit a school that makes this necessary... I enjoy and encourage a lively atmosphere in my sessions. I do not insist on chapel silence by any means, and I also appreciate that some kids will never want to hear what I say. A little discrete whispering is acceptable and if I get the odd heckle that's fine, and they usually regret it. Very occasionally a kid crosses the line between high spirits and disruption, and when this happens I will move them to a seat away from their mates. No problem. However if I'm faced with individuals or groups who are repeatedly disruptive, it makes it impossible for anyone else to pay attention to what I'm doing. I do not have the authority or inclination to deal with this. If you know that you have people who are likely to be repeatedly disruptive, either they must be monitored very closely, or better still, excluded from the start. At the schools mentioned above, it seemed acceptable that kids spoke loudly to each other and on mobile phones, kids flicked and threw things around the room, kids got up and walked round, and one kid even marched up to the front and tried to empty my bag. Quite simply, those schools wasted my time and their money. Oddly enough, one of them did invite me back but I politely declined. I also keep records of such incidents which are available for other authors or school visitors to check. If this sort of behaviour has become normal in your school then please accept my sympathies, but do NOT book me. FEES... depend on where you are and what you want. Please use the link in the next paragraph to contact me, telling me where you are and giving me an idea of what you'd like me to do. There! Thank you for taking the time to read all this. Now that you've done so, if you'd like to go ahead and make a school enquiry please contact me at this address: