School Visits
“I’ve never seen an author visit that good!”
“Fun, lively and got the children thinking creatively.”
“Melanie had the students spellbound.”
Melanie’s school visits are known for their fun, energy and audience participation. As a writer of middle grade fantasy fiction, her school sessions are best suited for Years 4 – 8. The Wintrish Girl has been included on the Premier’s Reading Challenge Lists for Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
Her sessions focus on writing and books in general, understanding failure as part of the process in any worthwhile endeavour and letting imaginations off the leash. They also include games such as Author Choose Your Own Adventure and the Not-Entirely-Fair Quiz and come with a noise warning, as things have been known to get a bit loud on occasion…
Melanie’s fantasy writing workshops are particularly popular with schools whose students are studying hero’s journey narratives or dystopian / fantasy fiction as part of the curriculum. For older students, Melanie gives a different talk that delves deeper into the writing and editing process. Resilience and sparking creativity are the main themes of her presentations and she always tries to engage the non-readers as well as the kids who already love reading.
Melanie is particularly proud to have been the middle-grade winner of the inaugural DANZ (Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) Children’s Book Award, whose major supporter is ASLA (Australian School Libraries Association).
Reviews
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS
“I just wanted to thank you for a very engaging and entertaining workshop. Your visit was inspiring and was a true value add to our literacy program. I think you have inspired a whole lot of students to look at writing differently. Personally, I can’t wait to see what they come up with.”
– Principal, Ivanhoe Primary School
“Your presentation was amazing – so engaging and full of messages that will really help our students as writers. I loved it so much. Thank you.”
– Year 5 Teacher, Ivanhoe Primary School
“The feedback has been great – so positive about the interactive nature of your presentation. You definitely won the staff over – they were full of praise about the way you approached the session and the kids loved the information about other authors, character development and being so interactive!”
– Library Coordinator, Brunswick North Primary School
“Melanie’s talk was engaging and interactive. The students enjoyed hearing about her journey as a writer and her writing process. She not only inspired many to read the book, but also encouraged them to follow their passions and be persistent! Thanks Melanie – fantastic and inspiring presentation.”
– Year 5 Teacher, Eltham East Primary School
“It was super fun to have Melanie La’Brooy come to our school and talk to us. We wrote a cool story together and heard her read some of The Wintrish Girl. It made me want to be an author when I’m older!”
– Henrietta, Grade 5 Student, Badger Creek Primary
“When Melanie spoke to our Year 6 students, they were in the middle of writing an extended narrative based around the idea of a hero’s journey. Melanie’s presentation was relevant, pacey and engaging. Her insights and advice, as an author, resonated with all of our students and generated many worthwhile conversations back in the classroom.”
– Year 6 Teacher, Hampton Primary School
“I really enjoyed Melanie’s presentation as she went through the early stages of how to plan a story and encouraged us to keep writing. I valued how she taught us about ‘personalised touches’ which were little things that make our stories more ‘ours’ and creative.”
– Lili, Year 6 student, Hampton Primary School
“I just wanted to say thank you for today. The students loved it and had lots to say about the messages you shared with them about being a writer.”
– Year 4 Teacher, Carlton Primary School
“I think Melanie La Brooy gave us a very fun and involving experience to see what stages authors go through to publish their books, also she gave us good insight on how we can start and make our imaginary world.”
– Esteban, Year 7 student, Auburn High School
“The students found it very engaging. I particularly liked the workshop aspect in which the students had ample opportunity to ask all manner of questions regarding creative writing and being a professional author.”
– Year 7 Teacher, Auburn High School
DUBAI SCHOOLS
“Thank you so much for coming into DBSJP this morning Melanie. You were amazing! In my 13 years of teaching, I’ve never seen an author visit that was that good. You engaged the children, your presentation was interactive, fun, purposeful and taught the children life skills too. “
– Year 5 Teacher, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
“I loved the fact we were involved in making the stories.” – Archie
“It was fun because we got to share our ideas on the microphone.” -Seb
“I liked playing the quizzes and the games. I learnt so many facts about books I didn’t know.” -Lara– Students from Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park
“Thank you so very much for giving up time out of your busy schedule to accommodate a session with the Year 7 group – I can certainly see why you are popular as an author presenter at schools – your style is different, very engaging and inspirational. Your message about not giving up really resonated with students.”
– Librarian, Dubai College
“We were delighted to have Melanie La’Brooy as our chosen author during the World Book Day celebrations this year. From the word go, Melanie had the students spellbound with her quirky presentation about characters and inventing fantastical locations! It was a highly entertaining hour with lots of interactive discussions and participation from the students. We can’t wait for Melanie to finish her next book, as we are dying to find out what happens next!”
– Librarian, JESS, Jumeirah
“I really enjoyed it when Melanie came to our school! I loved the activities that she let us do, I LOVED the presentation and I loved the blurb of The Wintrish Girl. I am DEFINITELY going to read this book!”
– Phoebe, Year 6 student, JESS Jumeirah
“It was such a pleasure listening to Melanie’s session. It was fun, lively and filled with moments of interaction with the children which got them thinking creatively as well as entertaining them. I would highly recommend Melanie’s author visit to all schools.”
– Primary Librarian, JESS Arabian Ranches
“The author visit of Melanie La’Brooy was really fun! She did a lot of fun games and told us a little bit about the book (no spoilers!). So far I have really enjoyed reading the book and I can’t wait to finish it.”
– Danya, Year 6, JESS Arabian Ranches
“I enjoyed the ‘It’s Not Entirely Fair’ quiz because it tested our background knowledge and we learned a lot about drafts and characters.”
– Seb, Year 6, JESS Arabian Ranches