An engaging, inclusive author visit that helps children explore belonging, family diversity and empathy through memorable storytelling.

Bring an award-winning children’s author and illustrator into your classroom for an engaging, interactive session that celebrates different kinds of families, encourages empathy and belonging, and inspires children to become readers and writers.

Drawing on her own experiences as an adoptive parent and author, Holly Marlow introduces pupils to the world of children’s books through storytelling, discussion and plenty of audience participation.

What to Expect

Each virtual author visit includes:

• Holly’s journey to becoming an award-winning, bestselling author, including overcoming physical disability.
• An interactive reading of Room in the Nest and one other story, voted for by the children.
• Normalisation of different family structures, including adoption, foster care, kinship care, single-parent families and same-sex parents.
• Live Q&A – pupils are invited to ask Holly their questions.

Visits are suitable for primary-aged children and can be enjoyed by whole year groups or multiple classes together.

Why Schools Book

Children leave with:

• Greater understanding of different family experiences.
• Increased empathy, kindness and inclusion.
• Inspiration to read, write and tell their own stories.
• The confidence to ask questions and engage in discussion.

Teachers value the opportunity to explore diversity, belonging and family relationships through engaging, age-appropriate stories.

Pricing

Virtual author visit: £50.

The visit fee is waived when the school orders 20 or more books.

This is a compliant investment of ring‑fenced inclusion funding from the Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF), Pupil Premium (PP) and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+).

Up to eight classes can join the session at no additional cost.

Visits typically last 30 to 45 minutes.

Please email holly@hollymarlow.com for pricing for in-person visits.

Special Visits

Visits may be customised as appropriate. Some school visits are booked by schools looking to reduce bullying or ignorance about adoption, foster care or kinship care, e.g. to mitigate distressing questions such as “didn’t your ‘real family’ want you?” Other talks address boundaries and what is appropriate to ask someone about their family history. Many adoptive families have found Holly’s talks helpful for their children who are becoming elder siblings through adoption, as the talk ensures that the child’s support network understands what is happening and can support them and celebrate their growing family with them.

Before Your Visit

A parent/carer information flyer will be provided ahead of the session. This allows families to discuss the topics beforehand if they wish, particularly for children with care experience.

School safeguarding leads are welcome to contact Holly in advance with any questions or concerns.

Technical Requirements

The visit can be delivered through Microsoft Teams, Zoom or similar video conferencing software.

All you need is:

• A screen or projector visible to pupils.
• Speakers loud enough for the room.
• A microphone so Holly can hear questions.
• A stable internet connection.

A short test call can be arranged if required.

Bookings and Enquiries

To discuss availability or arrange a visit, please contact holly@hollymarlow.com