Information for schools and libraries
Helen Armstrong is a qualified teacher who has spent much of her professional life delivering training in child protection. She has worked with social workers, teachers, health professionals, youth workers and even sports professionals! She has written over a dozen titles on child protection training. Adult readers will recognise the child protection issues in her children's books.
Helen turned to writing children's fiction in 2001, starting with the acclaimed Road To Somewhere. Since then she's published The Road to The River, and The Road To Adventure, with Nip's Tale the latest title, published in 2005. Comments on the different books have included 'a delightful read' (TES); 'a page turning thriller' (Junior Education); 'a brilliantly told, gripping tale, with enduring and appealing characters' (Junior); and best of all, from the Financial Times, - 'a fur raising adventure!' At the moment Helen is completing a book for older juniors and has also started a historical novel for young adults.
In addition to writing, Helen likes to spend time in schools working with children. 'It keeps me in touch with my audience' she says. Her school visits are very successful - one school writes 'a fantastic day - there's a real buzz about writing in the school.' Helen adjusts the programme to suit the needs of each school and each class she works with. She holds story writing workshops for older children while younger classes may enjoy developing artwork or other activities on the basis of a reading. It is always productive and always fun too.
Helen is based in Wiltshire and Cumbria but travels all around the UK visiting schools. If you'd like Helen to visit your school, library or reading group, contact her and let her know.
