October Artist of the Month –Jason Beresford
Our October ‘Artist of the Month’ is author Jason Beresford.
About Jason Beresford
Jason Beresford is a children’s author and TV producer who was born in the Midlands but lives in North Yorkshire. He has written four books which have all been acclaimed by critics, praised by educators and giggled at by 8 year olds who love jokes about pants.
He began his career in television as a TV reporter and news reader before moving on to make documentaries and direct two of Britain’s most popular soaps. He changed course for a few years and became a primary school teacher but these days he splits his time between writing, visiting schools and producing for TV.
Jason speaks Japanese and plays the ukulele (very badly).
What a visit from Jason entails
The school day begins with a whole school assembly which includes Jason reading out a chapter from Yikes a Mummy got my Granny. This is usually followed by writing workshops around the theme of superheroes. As an experienced primary school teacher Jason can tailor the workshops to suit a range of ages, supply worksheets and suggest follow up activities.
Alternatively, he can also offer a ‘Play in a Day’ format in which he works exclusively with one class of around 30 children and they perform a drama for the whole school or a non-fiction TV reporter’s workshop.
Children often have lots of questions about how authors become authors and are intrigued about Jason’s own career (the fact that he used to work in television). For this reason he often has a little ‘press conference’ at the end of the workshop. Jason also brings some old superhero comics from his childhood for the children to look at.
Jason has has worked with all ages from reception through to university students, but the superheroes workshops and Jason’s books are typically best suited to KS2.
Details can be found on his author page.
Feedback from Jason’s previous visits
“It was great! The children and staff were captivated from start to finish. He's inspired some fantastic writing from the children and I would highly recommend him. ”
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School
“Jason was absolutely inspiring. I would recommend him without reservation. The innovative and imaginative way he brings books to life was exactly what we wanted. His assembly, particularly, struck exactly the right chord.”
Walton Holymoorside Primary School
“I cannot express enough in words how exceptional the visit from Jason was! It was incredibly engaging for both children and staff. Some staff expressed that it was the best assembly they had been in for over 20 years! Honestly, so inspiring and so talented. His visit will be spoken about for a long time. I know he has inspired year 5 to write their own superhero stories that we are hoping to share with him.”
Paddock Junior Infant and Nursery School
“It was excellent. All of our pupils really enjoyed the sessions, commenting on how funny Jason was. He inspired pupils who don’t usually enjoy writing to write stories and created a ‘buzz’ of excitement for our World Book Day celebrations. Jason was able to engage pupils from on a screen, which is difficult! We are very pleased that we booked Jason.”
Catmose Primary
“Yesterday was great! All of the pupils enjoyed listening to Jason, and it was very interactive. It was great how he tailored the sessions to each age group.”
Dixons McMillan Academy
Read about Jason and his author visits on his author page.
Interview with Jason Beresford
When and why did you join Authors Abroad?
The most thrilling experience as an author is to meet the children who are reading the books and the people at Authors Abroad are just brilliant at organising school visits.
You have recently released your latest book with the Authors Abroad publishing arm, Caboodle Books ‘Yikes! A Mummy’s Got My Granny’ where did the idea for this come from and are you excited about the release?
Heck yes! I am giddy with excitement! The idea first began to hatch when I was lucky enough to visit the pyramids about 30 years ago. I think that is when the Ancient Egyptians really captured my imagination. Did you know they invented toothbrushes, razors and bowling (amongst zillions of other things) and that the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest structure in the world for over 4,000 years? Later, when I started working in a primary school I had to teach a Year 3 topic on Ancient Egypt and my ideas really started to crystalise into a story.
Did you have to complete a lot of research about Ancient Egypt to write this book?
Yes I did quite a bit of research but I also had help from two proper academics, Dr Sara Brio and Alice Baddeley from Leeds Trinity University.
What is your favourite thing about visiting schools?
Listening to the children laugh; whether it is a giggle, a chuckle or a full throated guffaw.
Do you think being an ex-teacher helps you tailor your school visits?
Yes absolutely. As a teacher you develop a kind of 6th sense which allows you to spot if anybody in the class is struggling or if you need to give the “high achievers” an extra challenge. Experience in the classroom also helps with time and behaviour management, and it means I can be very flexible about group sizes (I am comfortable with anything between 1 and 1000!).
What tip would you give to engage a reluctant reader?
I think the key is to find a subject matter that the reluctant reader finds fun and exciting. I was a bit reluctant as a young boy but my way in was through Spider Man comics. My Nan used to buy them for me and I loved the illustrations, the action packed stories and the humour. (Spider Man cracked jokes!)
You have had a lot of unusual experiences in your past career as a TV reporter, what sticks out as the most bizarre to you?
The most bizarre? I think it was trying to choreograph a dance routine for three former Oompah Loompas (who had starred in the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” movie). They had promised me they would learn a dance of their own before the filming day but they hadn’t. So I very quickly had to work out some steps for them to perform and film them before one of them had to dash off and catch a train.
Does living such a varied life help with inspiration for future stories?
Goodness me I am not sure. It all feels very normal to me so it is hard to imagine my life without all the variety.
Is working in TV as glamorous as young people think?
I have been very lucky and had some wonderful experiences. One highlight was definitely directing Coronation Street but I have also had the chance to work with lots of famous people (like Victoria Beckham and Philip Schofied) and to report on amazing news events like the election of President Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1994. Of course, there have been occasions when I have been grumpy about my job but everybody goes through those moments at work sometimes.
What has been your most memorable moment from a school visit so far?
Once during an assembly I heard a little girl say to her mate, “He’s better than Disney on Ice!” and I think it is the nicest thing anybody has ever said about me. I thought, they can put that on my gravestone!
How different is the process for writing a book compared to something for stage or screen?
The biggest difference with books (compared to the material I have written for the stage and screen) is that books take me much longer and they are packed with so many more ideas. It is like climbing a Himalayan mountain compared to jogging around the park.
With humour being subjective, can it be difficult to write funny books? Do you have a test audience?
And you are right about humour being subjective but I find I have to trust my funny bones and hope that my readers laugh in the right places. My daughters used to be a great test audience but they are all a bit old and a bit too busy to help Dad these days!
You have recently become one of our A.I.M High providers for our writing days. Are you looking forward to these? What are your plans for when you have an entire day with a small class to work with?
I am definitely looking forward to the A.I.M High days because they will give me a chance to use all the experience I gained when I was a TV reporter. It will be lovely to pass on my knowledge and help children to tell non-fiction stories concisely, clearly and with all the relevant facts. I can also teach the children learn how to put on TV newsreader voices!
What impact can an author visit have on young people if the school makes time for one?
I know first hand that when my old school hosted the poet Paul Cookson, the children were buzzing for weeks afterwards and it made them super keen to pick up his books and to write their own poems. The feedback I get from schools and children after my own visits gives me the confidence to say that they can have a huge impact on learning, on enthusiasm and as a catalyst for creativity.
What is the next project you have planned?
In the short term I am hitting the road to promote “Yikes! A Mummy’s Got My Granny!” in as many schools as possible. In the new year I will go back to do some TV work (I helped launch a Channel 4 show called “We Bought A Village”). Next year I am hoping to write something with a Japanese theme. I spent quite a few years in Japan – teaching, reporting, acting and studying – so I have started putting down some ideas for a play or a children’s book with a Japanese theme.
As the world re-opens and international school visits take off again we know you will be keen to share your stories with students based overseas. Which country is first on your wish list?
Ah, it has to be Japan!
Quick Fire
Summer or winter?
Summer
Would you prefer to be able to read minds or teleport?
If somebody tells me they like me but they are actually fibbing I don’t want to know so I wouldn’t enjoy being able to read minds! But teleporting yes please! I have quite a few friends in far flung places so teleporting would be very handy and save me a fortune on air fares.
Last thing that made you laugh?
A classic episode of Fawlty Towers, where Manuel’s pet hamster turns out to be a rat. Brilliantly written and beautifully performed.
Would you prefer to travel to space or deep ocean?
Deep space. I love the idea of floating around in zero gravity and doing all those tricks you can do with little blobs of water.
What object would you give to a visiting alien as a gift?
The Beatles album “Sgt Peppers”.
If you were Prime Minister for the day, what law would you introduce?
A law to gift every child in the country a book on their birthday.
Arrange for Jason Beresford to visit your school
To make an enquiry about Jason, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please get in touch. Our office number is +44 (0) 1535 656015,
UK visits
Email: UKbookings@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Head of UK Visits, Yvonne - 01535 279850
Overseas Visits
Email:Overseasvisits@caboodlebooks.co.ukooks.co.uk
Or contact Overseas Manager, Robin - +44(0) 1535 279853