Testimonials

Praise from schools and for The Donkey's First Christmas

Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Primary, Birmingham

All the children and staff commented about how much they enjoyed Susanne’s visit. Classes are doing lots of work on Susanne’s story.
Miss Coleman, teacher

Fantastic insight into how stories are created. The workshops allowed the children to think on their feet and show them that they can quickly be creative: A valuable lesson to learn and one I am sure they will be able to apply in their own written work. Thank you!
Miss A Neville, Year 2 teacher

Susanne had all children, from Nursery to Year 6, captured this morning. They really enjoyed learning about the creative process on getting a book published and all the various platforms to get an idea made.
Miss H Purcell, Year 3 teacher

The children were especially inspired through writing, drawing, acting and through Susanne divulging her methods and tips. Very informative and enjoyable.
Miss C Ainsworth, teaching assistant.

Overleigh St Mary’s C Of E Primary, Chester

A lovely afternoon. The children really enjoyed Susanne’s visit and were very inspired by her story.
Rachel Pearce, teacher

“It was fantastic!” “A very interesting workshop”

Rock Ferry Primary

Thanks for all your input. The children really enjoyed it – are you available to come back to do some more workshops, we were delighted with the last ones!
Teresa Poland, teacher

New Brighton Primary School

The kids really enjoyed the Earth and Beyond workshops, many thanks once again.
Mr Jones, Head of Year 6

Excellent workshop enjoyed by all pupils
Jonny Hart, PE co-ordinator

I learned that it took 560 of us to fill the tallest building in the world. It was amazing.
Madison, pupil

I learned that there are eight planets not nine and that the earth is actually tiny.
Sasha, pupil

I liked that we were doing maths while having fun.
Lauren, pupil

I loved when we did the quiz and when we lay on the ground.
New Brighton pupil

I really liked the workshop because it was very inspiring about space.
Charlie, pupil

I liked that there were a lot of activities and that everyone was included in the tasks. Susanne inspired me.
Minnie, pupil

Devonshire Park Primary, Birkenhead

The children and adults really enjoyed the visit! Some of the children have even been writing their own books this week so you have inspired them!
Maggie Billington, teacher

St Bridget's Primary, West Kirby

The children have come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of what an author is. They were excited by the books presented and the author talk fitted really well with our school drive to encourage a love of reading and words… only wish we had more of it.
Year 1 teacher

The children loved meeting a real author. The presentations of books and the way they were read was pitched at the right level. There was excellent questioning about the books and a good level of encouragement for those children struggling to answer. The children loved the animal activity.
Miss Sadler-Jones, Year 2 teacher

Christchurch Primary, Bootle

The puppets worked really well. It was great to see the kids thinking of ideas as the different characters.
Zoe Leonard, Year 2 teacher

The children were so engaged.
Joan Cleave-Curtin, teaching assistant

The children were really engaged and thinking from different perspectives.
H Edwards, teaching assistant

To see a love for reading instilled in the children has been fantastic. The workshops have inspired the children to write and create their own stories. Breaking down the process of creating a story has been especially helpful.
Year 2 teacher

Thomas Gray Primary, Bootle

Thanks so much for today. Spoke to staff tonight and all said the workshops were brilliant and that the children really enjoyed them.
Mrs M Piercy, Year 6 teacher

It was a very interactive session where the children could explore drama, improvisation and how to explore their ideas when writing a story.
Naomi Woof, teacher

The children really enjoyed the workshop - even children that would not normally participate joined in and had fun creating their own story.
Laura Walton, teacher

All the children were fully engrossed in the workshop.
Miss Stewart, teacher

Gwladys Street Primary, Liverpool

It was great. The children loved the practical element.
Laura Jackson, year 5 teacher

The children enjoyed the workshop and hands-on element.
Marion Mitchel, teaching assistant

Ribbleton Avenue Infant School, Preston

The sessions were very engaging. I asked the children what they liked best, and “saving the animals”, “stroking the animals” and “holding the animals” were some of the responses.
Gemma Nagy, teacher

The children enjoyed all of it, but they really liked the animals!
Teacher

Woodchurch Primary School, Wirral

"The children loved it! Understanding the storywriting process,  thinking about each step and planning as a storyboard has greatly impacted them."
Louise Pezzaioli, Year 4 Teacher

"Children enjoyed the hands-on workshop. The puppets and drama activities helped bring stories to life".
Kate Jones, Year 3 Teacher

Ladymount Catholic Primary School, Pensby

"... Such an inspiring session which I know the children loved."
Avril Ritchie, Year 2 teacher

"Super session - over 40 books signed for our eager readers. Thank you! ..."
Mike, Assistant Head

English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Preston

"... The children were well engaged with all aspects."
Jack Buckton, Class Teacher

West Kirby Primary School

"You pitched [the talk] at just the right level for [the children] and really engaged their interest. It was lovely for them to see that a book ... is written by a real live person! I think that this will motivate them to want to write their own stories even more."
Cath Smith

Mersey Park Primary School, Birkenhead

"Many thanks for giving the children an insight into being an author."
Name not cited

St. Joseph's Primary School, Upton

"Lovely workshop! Will definitely recommend!"
Miss Ralphs, Supply Teacher

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Moreton

"You were awesome Susanne! It was lovely to see their eyes light up to a story!!"
Karen Wiseman

The Donkey's First Christmas

The Donkey’s First Christmas is a heart-warming story which captures children’s interest from Foundation 2 through to key stage 2 and encourages lots of thinking and discussion about the first Christmas.
The clever descriptions and beautiful illustrations of characters and events provide lots of opportunity to extend children’s vocabulary and explore emotions. I would definitely recommend this book as a valuable resource when teaching children about Christmas.
Alison Durham, Assistant Headteacher and Foundation Stage Leader, Oxton, Wirral

A future classic. Gets to the heart of the Christmas message in a new and innovative way.
Amazon

Distinctive and imaginative… Schroder’s lettering for her text is as distinctive as her imagination.
Publisher’s Weekly

We love it. Wonderfully told, beautifully illustrated and SO original.
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

An adorable book for young children and even those younger and older, with something to take away on every level. A seriously sweet, humorous, meaningful book. Yes, it’s the message of Christ’s birth. But the stubborn-donkey perspective adds another dimension. Kindness transforms. God uses the unlikeliest of us. God makes the impossible possible. The lessons aren’t spelled out, but lay the groundwork for meaningful discussion.
Bookcrash

Utterly gorgeous –  a visual delight.
Mums and Tots Leader, UR