Beyond the Page: How Author Visits Inspire Young Minds at BISR
Cilla Henderson
Librarian, BISR Al Waha
At British International School Riyadh, we celebrate reading as a gateway to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning. A highlight of our annual World Book Week is our Author & Illustrator Visit Programme, which offers students the unique opportunity to meet the creative minds behind the stories that inspire them.
Over the years, we have been privileged to welcome a wide range of acclaimed authors and illustrators, including Ben Rothery, Chris Bradford, Andy Mulligan, Nick Toczek, Sarah Roberts, Steve Davies, Karl Nova, Steve Cole, Diann Floyd Boehm, Clive Pig, Ross Welford, and Cat Weatherill. Through a blend of in-person and virtual visits, we also take pride in showcasing talented voices from our local and school community, such as Halla Bint Khalid and Debbie Muñoz de Cote, further enriching our students' literary horizons.
Bringing Stories off the Page
Our author visits are designed to create memorable, immersive experiences that bring literature to life:
- Chris Bradford delivered an unforgettable session sharing insights into his writing process, complete with a live demonstration of samurai sword techniques. His dynamic props even sparked a memorable moment at airport security on his way to visit us!
- Environmental author Sarah Roberts captivated students with stories from her field conservation work. From recounting a real-life shark bite to receiving emergency treatment from a dentist on a remote island, her vivid experiences deeply inspired students to protect the natural world.
- Illustrators like Ben Rothery have sparked immense curiosity across all year groups. Students were astonished to learn that his exceptionally detailed wildlife illustrations are entirely hand-drawn rather than photographic - a discovery that sent waves of excitement through our library as students rushed to explore his books in greater depth.