Vivian French
BRAW network:
yesLL funded:
yesAgent:
Kathryn RossBiography:
Vivian French was best known at school for being extremely weedy, and for talking a lot. She continued her attachment to words by becoming first an actor, then a story-teller and finally a writer of children's books ... she's not sure how many she's written (she's not good at maths), but it's somewhere around two hundred. Many of them are for sevens and under, but she does write for older children too - and also non-fiction, which she says is very exciting because you find out so many things you never knew about.
At the moment Vivian is writing books about Princesses, Draglins, Egyptians and Chocolate - oh, and a frog obsessed sorceress. (If she's not working on at least five books at the same time she worries she'll never be asked to write again.) She does rather too much travelling in order to swap ideas about books and writing with
children and adults, and this often makes her late delivering the books she's meant to be writing. (If any publishers are reading this, she's very sorry!) She lives in Edinburgh, and has four grown up daughters ... and she's a lot less weedy. She still talks a lot, though. Photograph copyright Marius Alexander.
About writer's work:
I've been talking to children about books, and encouraging them to enjoy the process of writing stories, for nearly fifteen years now; I also run in service events for teachers, and writing workshops for adults.I've been Writer in Residence at Swansea Festival for ten years, Children's Writer in Residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival for five years, and am regularly invited to Cheltenham and the Northern Children's Book Festival. I'm a regular Visiting Lecturer at the University of the West of England, and also teach at Edinburgh College of Art.
Books: 200 titles, including poetry, non-fiction, and stories for reluctant readers. I write for the very young right up to teenagers, and my books have been translated into more than thirty languages. I've been on the short list of more awards than I can count both here and in the US (though I never win!) and over half a million of my books are borrowed each year from public libraries. It's a great life, and I love it.
About writer's events and projects:
Storytelling. Workshops. Talks for children and/or adults. I'm very happy to co-ordinate workshops to fit in with a school's special requirements. Workshop for adults on 'Writing for children'. Workshop for teachers 'Stimulating Children's Writing'.
Please contact me through my agent, Kathryn Ross of Fraser Ross Associates.
Language:
EnglishAge groups:
0-4, 5-8, 9-12, TeensBooks written
A re-telling of Aesop's classic moral tales, some well-known and others less so, with rhythm, rap and humour. Illustrated by the artist who has received the Federation of Children's Book Groups Award ...
Pinkie and April seem to be from different worlds until they both get pregnant and meet again at a school for teenage mothers. This is a frank account of events leading up to their pregnancies. What ...
This new title in a series for beginner readers is written using a variety of media and is helpful for use in compliance with the literacy strategy.
A new title in the extremely popular Starters series for beginner readers. Brian the Giant loves eating muffins - but he hates making them. When his muffins keep disappearing, he sets a trap for the ...
Buck and Larry are rivals in the removal business. Buck's truck is old and rusty. Larry's lorry is noisy and dented. They would both love to buy a smart little van. When they get the message wrong ...
As a child, Vivian French watched with her grandfather as a family of tiny caterpillar eggs turned, stage by magical stage, into beautiful butterflies. Now you can share the magic and find out all ...
Twisters is a great new series of first reading books made up of real stories with a beginning, a middle and an end, and turn-the-page appeal. The stories don't exceed 50 words, and are ideal for ...
What's so special about chocolate? It's just a tasty treat - isn't it? As a matter of fact there's far more to the humble chocolate bar, as this extraordinary book demonstrates. Describing the ...
The princesses at Silver Towers are putting on a Christmas Show! All princesses are invited to sing, dance or recite a poem. Our six Tiara Club princesses decide to take part, but will the nasty ...
Charming Borrowers-style stories about mini-dragons who move from their home in the attic to the great Outdoors. What will draglin school in the great Outdoors be like? Daffodil, Dora, Dennis and ...
These are charming borrowers-style stories about mini-dragons who move from their home in the attic to the great Outdoors. Wowling has been heard near the draglins' home in Under Shed! Daffodil, ...
Charming Borrowers-style stories about mini-dragons who move from their home in the attic to the great Outdoors. Wowling has been heard near the draglins' home in Under Shed! Daffodil, Dora, Dennis ...
Ellie and Elvis were best friends. They both liked bananas. They both loved oranges. And they both adored dancing under the light of the moon. But then, one day, things went badly wrong. It's rotten ...
Danny is cool. The younger kids think they're cool too, but they are just kiddie babes to Danny. He can make easy money out of them. He isn't going to say no to easy money, is he?
This collection of dramatic versions of favourite stories, retold by Vivian French - with illustrations from the original books, are written for four voices. Each part, denoted by different colour ...
The die-cut pages of this board book, part of the classic nursery rhyme series "Classic Board Books with Holes", contain sing-a-long actions and counting rhymes.
Numbers started off as scratches on bits of stone and bone, but they are all we need to solve mathmatical problems. This title traces the history of "Arabic" numerals and the development of ...
A non-fiction picture book about frogs written from a very personal viewpoint, mixing fact with feelings, encouraging children to think, feel and imagine as they learn.
Millie and Tillie and Minnie do not want to look after their little brother when he goes paddling. But when Snuffler goes into the water with his new red beach ball, he has the time of his life and ...
Hector sets off in search of a nice juicy hamburger. He will not be tempted by the tasty morsels of slugs, beetles and snails offered to him by Hattie, Harry and Hestor, his hedgehog friends. ...
We all know the story of Henny Penny, the silly chicken who thinks the sky is falling in. Well, that is not the true story. No, that is a misrepresentation put about by foxes. This is the true story, ...
A heart-warming celebration of a special relationship between child and grandparent. Grandpa may not be good at football or skipping or jumping, but Stanley loves him best of all. Grandpa's supposed ...
Wish you were an alien? You could visit the planets and the stars. Fun! But what does an alien wish for? Ages 4+ years.
Iggy Pig is going to the seaside. He can't wait to feel the sand between his toes. But where is that big grey animal with the long bushy tail and the hungry smile off to? Iggy Pig had better watch ...
Iggy Pig's going to sleep. But someone's tapping on the window. Could it be Tabby Cat? Or Dusty Dog? Or even that big grey animal with the long bushy tail and the hungry smile? It's a very dark ...
Iggy Pig is having a party for his birthday. He invites Tabby Cat and Dusty Dog. But his big mistake is in inviting the big grey wolf, who plans to eat more than just cabbage leaves and potato ...
Iggy Pig and Mother Pig are off to the market, but they miss out on a lift in the pony and cart, and by the time they arrive in town Mother Pig is exhausted. Iggy does the shopping why she has a ...
Iggy Pig has just learned to skip. Lucky Lamb, Chicky Chick, Bunny Rabbit and a big grey wolf skip along behind him. Iggy Pig can skip harder and faster, and for longer, than anybody else! Especially ...
Iggy Pig looks out of his window and everything is white. Iggy is intrigued, what is this white stuff? Mother Pig puts him straight and bundles him up to go out and play. Iggy finds his friends and ...
"Walker Story Plays" are dramatic versions of popular nursery stories that children will already be familiar with. The plays are written for four voices, with the parts clearly denoted by ...
It's shopping day. Mrs Ladybird says goodbye to her five little ladybirds and rushes off ? but oh dear, she's forgotten something important! 'Wait!' calls Little Ladybird, and chases after her. ...
This collection of dramatic versions of favourite stories, retold by Vivian French - with illustrations from the original books - are written for four voices. Each part, denoted by different colour ...
Four funny new titles to read aloud - the perfect introduction to playscripts. Walker Story Plays are establishing a tradition of excellence with their dramatic versions of favourite stories, ...
Oliver is off to stay with Grandpa, who grows his own vegetables. But Oliver doesn't eat vegetables - only chips! How will Grandpa persuade him into a week of healthy eating?
First it was his vegetables. Then it was his fruit. Now it's his milk - will Oliver ever like what's good for him? Spend a day on the farm with him and find out!
Oliver won't eat anything except chips. But, when he goes to stay with his grandparents, Oliver has to strike a bargain. If he can find the potatoes in his grandfather's vegetable garden, Oliver can ...
Four funny new titles to read aloud - the perfect introduction to playscripts. Walker Story Plays are establishing a tradition of excellence with their dramatic versions of favourite stories, ...
This is one of six new titles in the popular ZigZags series of first reading books made up of real stories with a beginning, a middle and an end, and turn-the-page appeal. The stories don't exceed ...
Princess Primrose is not enjoying her birthday. The King, the Queen and the cook have all given her the wrong presents and there's nothing to do. But the cook's boy has an idea that just might ...
Princess Alice and her friends are going on a school trip to the fabulous Museum of Royal Life. Alice dreams of wearing the famous crystal slipper, but nasty Princess Diamonde has plans of her ...
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
Princess Amelia is so excited to be starting a new term at the Princess Academy with her best friends in Daffodil Room. And what a wonderful surprise - the Princess Academy at Emerald Castle is by ...
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
Princess Charlotte can't wait to see her friends on their first day at Silver Towers. But has she come to the right place? She can't see any other princesses, and it's started raining! Then Charlotte ...
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
Princess Daisy is nervous about riding a merry-go-round for the first time at King Percival's Royal Garden Fair. But this is no ordinary merry-go-round, and Daisy turns out to be much braver than she ...
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
It’s nearly the end of term – has Princess Emily won enough tiara
points to win her silver sash? Will she be invited to the Silver Ball?
Or will horrible Princess Diamonde spoil everything by ...
rincess Katie is thrilled – there’s a school outing to meet a real
witch! But when Witch Windlespin asks Katie and her friends to make a
magic potion, something goes terribly wrong. Will Katie ...
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
The princesses are off to Emerald Sea World for a school outing - they can't wait to see the wonderful golden seahorse! When Princess Leah notices Diamonde and Gruella behaving oddly, she decides to ...
The princesses at Emerald Castle have an art lesson on the beach one day, and Princess Millie can't believe her eyes when she sees a mermaid out at sea! The nasty twins Diamonde and Gruella refuse to ...
When the princesses at Emerald Castle go out on a trip to Seabird Island, Princess Rachel notices a baby dolphin caught in the nets of the fishing boat they are on. Can Princess Rachel save the ...
Princess Ruby and her friends go out on a boat with the school fairy godmother, Fairy G, to look for Old Grey, the whale whose beautiful song has a magical effect on everyone who hears it. Why is Old ...
Oh no! The princesses are invited to a ball at the Princes' Academy, but Princess Sophia is having trouble with her dancing lessons. Will she tread on the princes' toes?
Where do Princesses go to school? The Princess Academy! There they learn all they need to know about becoming a proper Princess. With dramas and tiaras, this series is full of things for young ...
There is a special end of term tradition at Emerald Castle - the princesses get to make wishes using a special wishing shell given to the Princess Academy by a generous sea fairy. If the wish is kind ...
From its secret underground streets to the top of Arthur's Seat, the city of Edinburgh has been the inspiration for many children's books and writers. This unique guide will help children and adults ...
Prepare to be scared. A flock of sheep has never been so frightening! Josh collects horror comics and he loves to terrify his brother Paul and his step-sister Mandy with scary stories - the more ...
Eight beguiling stories in the fairy-tale tradition by a leading story teller. Discover how a tabby cat and a court jester help a young lord to choose between power, riches and love. Read about the ...
Wealth, power - or love? Which would you choose? Thorfinn's parents are obsessed with wealth and power. But, when he sets off to choose a bride it is neither the princess who promises wealth, nor the ...
Take a trip to the Dinosaur Exhibition with a young boy and his grandad and learn about the greatest carnosaur of all - Tyrannosaurus Rex. Find out what we know about T Rex... and what we can only ...
The good witches of Wadingburn are worried - there's a new witch in town with a bag of magic bones, and she's so evil she makes their toes ache... Another fun-filled fantasty in the Tales from the ...
Old Mother Goose may have the rhymes we know well, but it's Daddy Goose who knows the stories to tell! Welcome to the Daddy Goose collection of five-minute stories, made from everyone's favourite ...
This nursery story is retold in dramatic format. The play is written for four voices, with each part suitable for reading by a single voice or several voices. This version of the story is designed ...
Hector, Hattie, Harry and Hester, the four hedgehogs from "Hedgehogs Don't Eat Hamburgers", trick Fox into letting them inside his food bag. Fox thinks he's getting four hedgehogs to eat; ...
Fairies, owls, witches, giants and dragons all tell their tales to a little frog and his witchling friend in this gentle story collection set in an enchanted forest. Illustrator: Emily Bolam.
All is not well in the crumbling castle high above the mountain village of Fracture. The sorceress Lady Lamorna has her heart set on a new robe. It is a very expensive new robe. To get the cash ...
Mum and Julius, Tia and Tim the twins, Jason, Daisy B, Ross and Grannie Annie all live in the house full of stories. So do their pets: dogs, cats, Roly the rat, goldfish and gerbils abound. Little ...
This familiar story is retold by Vivian French as a play for four voices, with each part clearly denoted by a different colour band. The play is written so that the parts can be read by a single ...
Bebi and Kenefer like to explore where they're not allowed. But then Kenefer sees something so weird that it makes most mummies look normal.
"Walker Story Plays" are dramatic versions of popular nursery stories that children will already be familiar with. The plays are written for four voices, with the parts clearly denoted by ...
"Story Plays" are dramatic versions of favourite stories, retold by Vivian French and suitable for reading aloud. The plays are written for four voices, illustrated with pictures from the ...
It's Mum's birthday. Stanley wants to give her a present, but he can't think of anything. His older brother Rex is giving her flowers, his older sister, Queenie, is giving Mum a tin of her favourite ...
This collection of dramatic versions of favourite stories, retold by Vivian French - with illustrations from the original books, are written for four voices. Each part, denoted by different colour ...
Spooky or funny, surprising or frightening, SHOCK SHOP is a collection of brand new novels by some of the greatest names in children's writing. WICKED CHICKENS Charlie's Dad wins at Bingo and at last ...
In this lively history of writing, six goofy birds -- a penguin, two toucans, an owl, and two chickens -- team up to tour the world of writing: how it developed, where alphabets came from, and the ...
