{"id":271,"date":"2017-03-31T21:01:30","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T21:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/?page_id=271"},"modified":"2025-05-20T18:35:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T18:35:06","slug":"testimonials-from-readers-and-teachers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/?page_id=271","title":{"rendered":"Testimonials from Readers and Teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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‘Our visit from Barbara was everything we hoped for and more. Her energy and enthusiasm totally captured the children\u2019s attention and imagination and it was fascinating to hear about the writing process. We loved reading The Reluctant Rebel when we were learning about the Jacobites and look forward to using her books again in our school.’ <\/em>Teacher, Knockando School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Barbara was amazing! She visited us last year and gave the children a fantastic hour with lots of fun and interaction, so the chance to have her visit us again was unmissable. Her experience teaching drama is blatantly apparent, and it was terrific to watch as she mesmerised her audience. This year, she talked about publishing, using eager volunteers to play their respective roles, and about the vast and majestic Cairngorms and the dangers threatening their beauty and wildlife. She also read from her new book,\u00a0I Don’t Do Mountains, which got the room hooked right away. We cannot wait to welcome Barbara again to ESMS Junior School.’<\/em> Librarian, ESMS Junior School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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‘I just wanted to say thank you very nmuch for the fantastic morning you spent with us. We really enjoyed it, and the children are asking when you can come back!!! It is so exciting for me to see them enthused by reading and writing.’ <\/em>Teacher, Mulbuie Primary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class finished the book <\/span><\/em>[Rivet Boy]<\/span> today – was going to leave a chapter till tomorrow but they voted to keep going! Thanks – we all loved it <\/span>\"\ud83e\udd70\" , got some great cross curricular work from it too! Just finishing writing Andrew Carnegie biographies! Thanks again. <\/span><\/em>Teacher, Dundee<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Look at that great display above, created by St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling while reading Rivet Boy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My P6 this year asked for lots of science\/STEM and they chose the project Victorians. <\/em>I had seen ads for your book Rivet Boy and I had a series of STEM lessons on bridges and along with the project , I was able to create a whole terms work with your book at the centre. <\/em>The children loved it all. They presented a marvellous assembly to the school and their parents and they visited the Bridges and were totally blown away by their size.<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n
I have some photos and videos of the kids and as a result of this work, we have been highlighting your other books to the whole school in our book nook.<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Teacher, St Ninian’s PS, Stirling<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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‘The school was buzzing with excited, positive chat after your visit!’<\/em> Teacher, Robert Gordon’s College Aberdeen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Both schools loved your visit and wou<\/strong>ld welcome you back anytime. Keep in touch.\u2019 <\/em>Supplier of books to Scottish schools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We were truly inspired by Barbara. Her session included a range of activities. Pupils enjoyed participating in role play and they loved listening to Barbara reading extracts from her book. They enjoyed asking Barbara questions about her life as an author and learning how she became an author. This was my second opportunity to listen to Barbara and she really is an excellent speaker. We would love to welcome her back.\u2019 <\/em>Teacher, Western Isles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘The children said that it was a really wonderful morning and they asked me to say thank you.  They were so engaged this morning and they found it really inspiring.’ <\/em>Teacher, online visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Barbara’s workshops were absolutely brilliant! Our children have been inspired to write! They were enthralled by Barbara’s personal journey to publication and now have a new found respect for writers. A real highlight was escaping the pesky seagulls…! We can thoroughly recommend organising a school visit.’  <\/i>Teachers from Elrick Primary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Thought I would message you to say how much [my son] enjoyed reading Black Water. Santa very kindly gave it to him for Christmas \"?\" and I found him reading after lights out several times. <\/em>We were walking at Nigg beach, at low tide, this week with my father and M was so pleased to tell him about the story – he likes the word sabotaging (and read it aloud, without hesitation) and breeches. <\/em>Thank you and please keep writing children’s historic fiction – We love it!’ <\/em>Isla, Mother<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘My P6\/7 class at Mountfleurie Primary School thoroughly enjoyed their day with author Barbara Henderson. She shared her inspiration for \u2018Wilderness Wars\u2019 and gave the children an insight into the publishing process. The visit provided a cross curricular approach, including: drama, literacy and developing the young workforce. The children responded very well to Barbara\u2019s warm and friendly approach. All of the activities were fun and engaging. I would highly recommend Barbara Henderson\u2019s author visits.’ <\/em>Amy Knox, Mountfleurie Primary School, Fife<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘I just wanted to thank you sooo much again for today. It was a great day, very well organised, the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves….as did I!’  <\/em>Karis Beattie, Pairc School, Isle of Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘Thanks again for such a great morning with the children. It was inspiring. They gave a great report of your visit to one of our other teachers. They were so delighted to buy the books and have them signed.  Some feedback:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • ‘I loved the games and Barbara Henderson inspired me to read more things like Punch.’ Finlay<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • ‘The Writ game was my favourite because you didn’t know what was going to happen\u00a0and I loved getting the book signed.’ Destiny<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • ‘This is what I learned about writing, it has to be exciting and has to make sense and a good story should make a mini- cinema in your head.’ Cormac<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • ‘I learned that if you are stuck to write something, then you can make a table of characters and other things and roll a dice to mix them up’ Ngaire<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    For ‘This is how much I enjoyed the visit’ you got 5 stars from everyone. <\/em>Thanks again as all said ‘It was fun and I really enjoyed it’ <\/em>Maria Finnegan, Pairc School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “Communication and planning for our World Book Day started a few months well before the event. At every point, Barbara was constructive, supportive and enthusiastic to help make our event a special one! <\/em>Her input on the day reflected her personal passion and love of books and reading. The “Meet a Real  Author” sessions were interesting to the pupils as she related local places of interest which they could connect to. She made writing an accessible thing by using her own experiences to inspire and develop ideas. Barbara’s book reading was full of energy and from the heart which modelled such positivity for the pupils. The puppets were fun for all age groups and linked with the theme of Punch. <\/em>Blind Date with a Book worked well with Pr 4-7 as we played along to the classic format of a TV Golden Oldie. This format gave the staff ideas for their reading sessions e.g. Blind Date with a character from a book! The pupils enjoyed the questions and waiting to see how the contestants would respond. <\/em>The pupils received signed copies of the book they had ordered. The quote from the story was a personal touch and once again showed Barbara’s pleasure in sharing the written word and what it can mean.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All in all, a fantastic experience for us as a whole school. We were all engaged and inspired. Her energy, helpfulness and flexibility was so evident. Lots of pupils reflected on becoming an author when they were older. Who knows what the impact of today might bring in the future! Thank you Barbara!” <\/em>Muriel Murray, Lochardil Primary School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘The children and I had such a fantastic afternoon when Barbara came in to tell us about her new book ‘Punch’.  The children were so mesmerised and engaged with everything Barbara did, from telling them about her research for the book, to reading it aloud to them  and then to letting them join in on making their very own ‘Punch and Judy’ show.  In a recent circle time with the children I asked them what their favourite thing has been so far in 2018, and they all said when Barbara Henderson came to visit us and I would have to agree!’ <\/em>Miss Robertson, Luncarty Primary School <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Hi Barbara,
    The 9 to 12 book club chose Fir For Luck as their next book and I wanted to let you know that it was because of your enthusiasm and interaction with them at the school.’  <\/em>Kelly MacDonald, Waterstones Aviemore<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Hi Barbara. I cannot thank you enough for today. I have never experienced such an inspiring and engaging workshop here at the museum. It truly was an amazing afternoon and one which I hope we can repeat with other school groups in the very near future. All the children were so fully involved at every stage and it was so relevant to the theme of Strathnaver Museum. I am certain that the Melvich Primary pupils will have taken a lot from it and remember it as a positive and enjoyable learning experience\u2026I know myself and the volunteers did! <\/em>Here\u2019s to many more museum based school workshop activities.’ <\/em>Rosemary Mackintosh, Museum Administrator, Strathnaver Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Thank you so much for visiting us today.  P6\/7 thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and hearing about your experiences as a writer.  The activities, interspersed with lively and dramatic readings from your novel,  kept the children engaged throughout the morning.  I think the success of the visit can be gauged by the number and quality of the questions they were eager to ask!  They are keen already to read more of your work! ‘ <\/em>Ruth Ross, Teacher, Muirtown Primary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Hi Barbara. <\/em>The children of Farr Primary really enjoyed your visit to the school.  They were excited to meet a published author and hear extracts from the book.  It was great that you could share the background to the story and showing the pictures helped the children to see the landscape for themselves.  Bringing the story to life through role play really got them engaged in the story and helped them to understand the themes, particularly the younger children.  It was a fantastic visit and really tied in with our World Book Day celebrations and provided a real life experience of literacy. <\/em>Many thanks’  <\/em>Suzanne Dunbar, Principal Teacher<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     ‘I thought the workshop was super, the kids were all very enthusiastic about the book by the end and loved dressing up! You were very motivating and clearly loved the topic of the book!’ <\/em>Charlotte, P5-7 Class Teacher<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Finally – thanks again for such a great day – the school was buzzing!’ <\/em>Sally Small, Luncarty Primary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ‘Hi Barbara. <\/em>This is just a brief note to thank you so much for coming over to join us for Book Week Scotland. The workshop was really well received with your constructive comments and encouragement particularly welcome. Last night’s audience was a small but select band but, again, the positive feedback I’ve already received means you were a real hit.’ <\/em>Irene Ross, Skye Reading Room<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    ‘Our visit from Barbara was everything we hoped for and more. Her energy and enthusiasm totally captured the children\u2019s attention and imagination and it was fascinating to hear about the writing process. We loved reading The Reluctant Rebel when we were learning about the Jacobites and look forward to using her books again in our … Continue reading Testimonials from Readers and Teachers<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-271","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=271"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2120,"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/271\/revisions\/2120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}