Testimonials and Reviews
What teachers and book festival directors say about Stuart.

‘Stuart’s enthusiasm for his work and getting kids into reading is infectious. One listener said after Stuart’s appearance on our show that he was buying the Gorgeous George series ‘even though I'm 40-something and my kids are too old for me to read to them!’

Hawksbee & Jacobs, talkSPORT radio

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"Simply the best author performance I have EVER seen in 15 years of teaching.
The best... by a long mile." 

Mr Mashiter, Headteacher, St Mary's Primary School.
 

Huge thanks for all your energy, enthusiasm and fantastic events at this weekend's Big DoG Festival and Education Programme. It was really super to see you again and, as ever, our audiences loved your events. We'd be thrilled if you could join us in Wigtown again.

Anne Barclay, MBE Operational Director of the Wigtown Book Festival

 

"Stuart's books are fab!"
Liz Pichon, author of the Tom Gates series.

 

"Thank you again for your fantastic visit. Both the children and staff are still talking about it, saying how wonderful the assembly and creative writing workshops were. It was a pleasure to have you visit our school and we hope to see you again."

Literacy Leader -  Ardross Primary School

 

"Your events were amazing! You engaged the pupils and appealed to their sense of humour. Your energy and enthusiasm filled the hall. We can't wait to see you next year."

Head of Literacy - St Joseph's Primary School

 

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for today! All staff and pupils had a super time during your event – they are all still talking about. You created a super buzz amongst them! Thanks again and we hope to have you back!

Caroline McNeill, Leader of Learning English - Key Stage 3 Belfast Model School for Girls

 

What a fantastic morning we had with you! The pupils enjoyed it so very much. I am especially impressed by how you have engaged and enthused our reluctant readers, specifically those hard-to-read boys to ACTUALLY read – thank you so very much!

Samantha Williams B.Ed(Hons) AdCertEd NPQH - Principal,
Castleroe Primary School
 

Thank you so much for your sessions. The children and adults had a ball!

Mandi Murray, principal teacher, Menstrie Primary School

 

An absolute hit with the staff and children alike! They are still buzzing about you and your books! Many thanks again for all your input and enthusiasm. The resources you left with us are fantastic too. Hope we can arrange another follow up session next year.

Laura Moncur, Principal Teacher, Leslie Primary School

 

I just want to say how much the children and staff enjoyed your visit. The assembly was great, so interactive and entertaining, it made my morning to see the children so enthused and engaged. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to colleagues.

Christina McDermott, St Joseph’s Primary School, Gateshead

 

I was one of the teachers lucky to be sitting in on your utterly brilliant presentation at the Belfast Model School for Girls today!! Thank you so much for making Thursday morning in work so much more fun today!

Sarah King, English teacher, Belfast Model School

 

Thank you so much. You are a star! The children (and librarians and the teachers) had an absolute ball. Thanks for coming to the library. Look forward to inviting you back soon.

Rosslyn Allen, East Kilbride Area Libraries Children's Team

 

The children loved it and so many of them came into the library after school to tell me so. Thank you so much for coming and for such an entertaining visit. It was brilliant.

Audrey Conlin, Children's Assistant, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

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Thank you again for such a fantastic day. The pupils have been talking about your visit enthusiastically, as always, and I overheard a group of teachers at half past eight this morning discussing reading trees, which was brilliant! Praise indeed!

Pupils said they loved your personality, humour and the fact that they felt a connection with you from the start. The staff have enjoyed your inputs and will continue to use your writing resources next session.It was lovely to read the parent comments and it just goes to show how important your visits are to our pupils. During the assembly I noticed a P1 pupil who rarely engages looking completely animated and he spoke to me at lunchtime about how much he enjoyed seeing you.

We are very glad to have you as our Reading Ambassador.

Jenny Carlin, Principal Teacher, Langlands Primary School, Forfar

 

 

That was great! Thank you for being so fantastic with the children - they had an amazing day. I've got a lot of book orders here from excited little readers.

Louise McAllister, Principal Teacher, Greenhill Primary School

 

Thank you very much Stuart for yesterday’s excellent presentation you have certainly enthused the pupils! Thanks.

Helen Wrightson, Dixon Marchbank Primary School.
 

It was an absolutely amazing two days thank you so much – feedback has been extremely positive from both pupils and staff. Many thanks again.

Claire Kinder, Redwood Primary School, Derby.

 

Thank you for today- my wee ones loved it- hopefully there will be some great writing as a result of your visit!

Mrs Humphrey, Groggan Primary School, Randalstown

 

We had the lovely Stuart Reid visit to our Libraries in November 2018 as part of our “Bookweek Scotland" events. This author is amazing and would definitely be an asset to your events. Stuart is so full of enthusiasm and passion for books and it shows.

Rosslyn Allan, Children’s Assistant Librarian, East Kilbride Libraries

 

Thanks for visiting with us again, it was a pleasure to see you and to hear the enthusiastic responses from staff and pupils. We look forward to seeing you next year again. Many thanks

Paddy McCabe, Principal, St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Belfast

 

Thank you so much for visiting our school last Friday, it was an amazing presentation that was very engaging. Thanks again for inspiring our students and encouraging them to read new books.

Katherine Turner, librarian, Rosary School, Prospect, Adelaide SA

 

Pleased to have you at the school and the children really enjoyed your visit!

Jim Lee, headteacher, St Patrick’s Primary School, Aghacommon, N.Ireland
 

Not only was it delightful to meet you but it was so fabulous to film your presentations and to have them as such a valuable resource for the whole school! Thank you!!!

Karen Hubbard, Lead Teacher Curriculum, Sha Tin Junior School, Hong Kong

 

Thank YOU for your inspiring and energetic presentation today! The students were all buzzing and teachers went out of their way to say how much everyone enjoyed it.

Any Gale, Librarian, Glenelg Primary School, Adelaide, South Australia
 

Stuart was just hilarious. Our Kids, as well as teachers, had a wonderful time. And for the first time, all the books that were sent to me were sold out on the first day! Thank you very much for sending him to us. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Colin Joseph, Bangalore International School, Bangalore, India.

 

Your visit was indeed a treat for our students, and we are very glad that you could not only talk to our students but also hold workshops with them. Our children had a wonderful and entertaining experience. Many thanks and we hope to see you again.

Alokparna Das, HOD Language Acquisition, Greenwood International School, Bangalore, India

 

I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU on behalf of myself and my P5F class. It was a wonderful surprise to receive your feedback comments and the children felt truly honoured. I am certain that this will encourage them to keep writing especially as "reading rocks!” Thank you for coming to our school and spreading your enthusiasm and love of reading and writing with us!

Anna Ferrie, P5 teacher, Langlands Primary School, Forfar.

 

It was our pleasure! Thank you very much for visiting us - we had a great time.
Enjoy the festival!

Kayleigh Parkes, deputy headteacher, Thackley Park, Bradford

 

Thank you! We all had super day yesterday! Thanks again for also leaving all the fantastic activities in school. Good luck for all your future adventures.

Leah Corletto, Kinglassie Primary School, Fife

 

“Stuart is a force of nature! Engaging, educational and extremely entertaining, Stuart is a master of his craft. We had a wonderful time at the Belfast Book Festival and would welcome Stuart back in a heart beat!”

Keith Acheson, Director,Crescent Arts Centre & Belfast Book Festival

 

I am absolutely delighted that you had such a positive response. The pupils were very inspired, as were the teachers so I am hoping that will have further impact on their love for reading and writing. Thanks again!

Ms F Kennedy, Principal, St. Columba's P.S., Draperstown

 

We had an amazing day on Monday - thank you so much for coming! All of the teachers said how fantastic the assembly was and how much the children enjoyed the writing workshops too. I believe some of the Year 4 children couldn't wait to start writing after you left!! Your quote “Books are Brilliant - Reading Rocks" will be put up on my Reading display along with your photo and front covers of your books!!!!

Thank you for inspiring our children to read!

Kay Couper-Barton, Deputy Head, Silver Springs Primary Academy, Stalybridge

 

What a pleasure! We were delighted that you could come and visit the children and inspire them about reading. The teachers were very impressed with your enthusiasm and we all agreed this was the perfect way to generate a love of reading.

This morning, two children walked into school with their nose buried in one of your books and parents said they were unable to put it down. We have had numerous orders today for more books so we will get that off to you straight away. We are all looking forward to the next time you are able to come and visit us.

Louise Fletcher, Headteacher, Swarland First School, Northumbria

 

Thank you for an incredible day. It was fantastic and the whole school really benefitted. I could sum up the success of the day by quoting a conversation between myself and my most reluctant boy reader, as he read the book he bought from you last week:

'Zak! Playtime, out you go.'

'Please Mrs. Horrocks, can I finish my chapter first?'

It really was a fabulous day. The children are still chattering about it and even informed the Headteacher, during assembly this morning, that, 'Reading Rocks!'

I’ve forwarded the e-mail from a parent for you. It's only very brief, but it just shows the impact your visit had.

Julie Horrocks, Principal Teachers, St Andrews Primary School, Bolton

________________________________________

-----Original Message—— from one of the parents

From: Katie McNulty

To: St Andrews (OH) Office

Subject: Stuart Reid

Please thank Mrs Horrocks for organising this visit from the author. My boys loved it!

Thanks Katie x

 

 

Thank you so much! They loved it and they are all busy writing stories this morning!

Gwennan Roberts, Rosybol Primary School, Anglesey, Wales.
 

Thank you so much again for the wonderfully entertaining visit.

Patricia Miskimmin, Carnalridge Primary School, Portrush, County Antrim, N. Ireland.

 

Thank you for visiting, the children absolutely loved the assembly and workshops. The feedback from every one has been incredibly positive, all the children were buzzing following the event and there was lots of laughter. Thanks again

Stacey Coleman, Headteacher, Heather Avenue Infant School, Norwich

 

Staff have been chatting at lunch time saying how much they and the children enjoyed the day, thank you. Some good follow-up this morning showing definite inspiration.

Steve Jackson, Deputy Head, Low Furniss Primary School, Ulverston.

 

I am really sorry that I missed you but I was attending Neglect CP Training. The feedback from school has been very positive and we would look forward to working with you again.

Vikki Marsh-Ballard, Headteacher, Liden Primary School, Swindon
 

Thank you so much for today, the students were buzzing. As the session was so enthusing, I have passed on your email to some of my colleagues in other schools.

Jo Cavanagh, specialist teacher, WCLC Pupil Referral Unit, Cumbria
 

We are still reeling from your visit last week. In a good way!! Wonderful!

Oonagh McNelis, Principal, Sion Mills Primary School, Co. Tyrone.

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Thanks again for a cracking day today. The children were buzzing with their writing this afternoon!

Ann Beardall, Headteacher, Harpley & Great Massingham Primary Schools, Norfolk

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Thank you, we really enjoyed your visit.

Phyllis Gollogly, Headteacher, Killean Primary School, Newry.

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Our children really did enjoy their time with you.

Deborah Awkal, Secretary, Rushen Primary School, Port St. Mary, Isle of Man

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Once again, thank you very much for your visit last week. It was a fantastic experience for all!

Yvonne Dineley, Literacy Coordinator, Lander Road Primary, Liverpool
 

I don't quite know where to start! We absolutely loved your time with us on Wednesday morning! There has been a buzz about school ever since and the children are now obsessed with your books! We really cannot thank you enough, all of the staff have commented on how engaging and inspiring (and funny!) it was, so thank you. Our head is thrilled and has also asked me to pass on her thanks.
Kate Sixsmith, Literacy Co-ordinator, Gaskell Primary, Bolton
 

We all had a lovely day and the children are very inspired!

Sophie Webster, Deputy Headteacher, Padstow Primary School, Cornwall
 

Thanks so much for today. It was very refreshing to have someone so enthusiastic in the building!

Kellie Griffiths, teacher, Jeffries Primary School, Nottinghamshire
 

The feedback from everyone involved was fabulous and a great time was most definitely had by all. Thanks again.

Julie Collins, Headteacher, Holy Cross Primary, Glasgow
 

Thank you so much for your fantastic assembly and workshop, it certainly brightened a Monday morning! The Primary 6 and 7 have been very busy writing stories inspired by your books, and hope you will return to Carntyne.

Emma Farquharson, Deputy Head, Carntyne Primary School, Glasgow

 

Thank you so much for your very lively and enjoyable presentation today! The children loved it and the staff did too! It was lovely to watch the animated expressions on the faces of our children.

Sally Bradshaw – Head of Literacy, Inglewood Infant School, Carlisle.

 

We were delighted to welcome you. You have initiated a real buzz around the school about reading for pleasure which is marvellous! A huge thank you from Everyone at Rosebank.

James A. Brander Head Teacher, Rosebank Primary School, Nairn
 

Pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed your visit. Your performance was spell-binding and I am amazed that you were able to captivate our P1 – P7 pupils in a stiflingly hot hall for just over 1 hour. Well done! And the children, who attended the writing workshop, were very keen to share your hot tips for writing.

Marion Mackay – Head Teacher, Millbank Primary
 

Thanks for coming in today. We all thought you were fab! A real inspiration to everyone. My kids have been creating their own characters to write about this afternoon. I'm sure you will be invited back.

Ann Belardo, Primary 2 teacher, East Plean PS
 

The children were in awe of you, as were the staff! Everyone was buzzing the whole day long and they thought you were fantastic. Thank you again for such a brilliant workshop. I cannot recommend you highly enough!

Jayne Cation, Principal, Aberhill PS
 

Thank you again for last Friday…the children and staff all loved the sessions

Rachel Humphries, Literacy Co-ordinator, Chorlton Park Primary, Manchester
 

Thank you so much for a superb morning, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all and the kids are buzzing.

Sheena Matthews, Principal teacher/Literacy Co-ordinator, Durham Gilesgate Primary
 

Thanks for a fantastic day with the pupils. Once again, I have had great feedback from staff about your sessions including a great report from the P7 pupils and Miss Jack! Thank you so much for coming into do the creative writing workshop at such a great price. They all got a lot from it!

James McGimpsey, Principal Teacher, Deans Primary School, Livingston

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I wanted to thank you for the fantastic presentations you did today at West Coats. The pupils (AND STAFF) have been raving about them all day and seemed totally enthused!!

Pam Currie, Head Teacher, West Coats Primary School, Glasgow
 

A big thank you for delivering two fantastic session in Bishopbriggs & Milngavie Libraries. The children & adults alike thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. I have been forwarded an email below from Andrew Gallagher - St Helen's Primary school singing your praises too. It's always nice to get feedback especially positive feedback.

Fiona Gray, Children & Families Coordinator.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust
 

A huge thank you for coming to visit us. The pupils (and staff) had a wonderful time and could have carried on listening to you for hours. You have really inspired our pupils - I was mobbed on the yard on Wednesday morning by children with ideas for book titles; they are so excited about it we are having a competition for the most imaginative title. Thank you again for a really entertaining, inspiring afternoon.

Megan Charlton (Deputy Head Teacher) Grove Primary, Durham

 

I currently teach P6 at Kennoway primary school in Fife and we have just finished your Zigzag Zit-faced Zombie book and to say they loved it is an understatement!! I have been charged with buying the new release during the holidays. Can we arrange a school visit with you?

Oni Fraser (P6 Teacher)Kennoway Primary School
 

“Fantastic! Well done”

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of the Scottish Parliament

 

Thank you for a fantastic day yesterday. All feedback has been very positive.

Thank you once again.

Elizabeth Duncan, Head Teacher, Dalbeattie Primary School

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Thank you for a fantastic day. The staff and children have been raving about it and children have come flooding in today with money for books. They are so excited to read them. We have also bought sets of the books for all our classes in the school!

It is a credit to you that the children sat so well, they were all engaged and enthralled by you - not many people can do this with the age range that we had in the hall.

The teachers have gained lots of ideas and are already trying them out with the children - good to see teachers and children excited by reading and writing again!

Louise Daly (Principal Teacher) The Links, Stockton, nr Middlesborough

 

Thank you so much, Stuart. I would also like to ask if you'll return next October for Book Week in 2014. I know its quite far in advance but I reckon you will be inundated.

Stephanie Wood (principal Teacher) Holy Family Kirkintilloch (written Oct 2013)

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You were a HUGE hit! The kids loved you and were full of ideas and excitement once you left. Some parents even commented on your visit at parents evening, saying how when their children came home they wanted to write their own story - very inspirational. So thank you!

Stephanie MacFadyen (Principal Teacher) Longniddry Primary

 

You are obviously a natural story teller and such a funny man. This morning was fantastic. I'm getting you back to our school sometime and will continue to try to drum up custom for you. You deserve it!

Jackie Morton (Principal teacher) Wren Spinney Special School, Northampton

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Thank you very much for a fabulous, funny, fantastic, full of enthusiasm, fanfare of a presentation! I have never witnessed such a good author presentation before - you had the children eating out of your hands for the whole time - brilliant! I am sure that they will thoroughly enjoy reading your books as you most certainly inspired them.

Sharon Clyne, Principal teacher, Strathesk Primary School, Penicuik.

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Three fantastic sessions, thank you. The motivational workshop was excellent for our pupils, setting them up perfectly for their year ahead in our international baccalaureate 6th Form.

Angela Tawse (Head Librarian) St. Leonard’s Independent School, St Andrews.

 

Thank you so much. We were all delighted with your presentation. What an inspiration… to encourage the children to learn literature by heart clearly demonstrated!!). The staff and children loved it. My class immediately voted for the Snot Zombies as their next class reader!

Pauline Baddeley (Head teacher)Alexandra Junior School, Stoke

The feedback from pupils and staff was excellent. To enthuse staff to want to return to class and start writing the day before a holiday break is high praise and from what I hear you deserve it!

Liz Barton, Head Teacher, Strathesk Primary School, Penicuik

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Thank you for visiting our school this week! The children are really buzzing and I've had excellent feedback from staff and I look forward to inviting you in again in the future!

Delyth Evans (Principal Teacher) Easterside Primary, Middlesbrough.

 

The morning was a great success as part of our book week and enjoyable for children and staff alike! Thank you for coming to share your work with us, as I'm sure you could tell the children loved every minute!

Rachel Kaye (Head teacher) Brownhill Infants School

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We (the librarians and teachers) thoroughly enjoyed your talks. The children really enjoyed your presentation too ...very entertaining as well as in informative and educational with lots of fun thrown in!

Margaret Rennie, Senior Librarian, Stirling Young People's Services

 

Many thanks for your book reading session this afternoon. Pupils and staff had a ball!

Wendy Cameron (head teacher) Antonine Primary School, Drumchapel

 

"Your visit to the Glebe Junior School was inspirational to parents, staff and children. Thank you so much. One reluctant reader, in year 3, bought your book and for the first time ever demanded that his mum read to him! A breakthrough!

Your perfectly poised, personal and poignant presentation was an incredible sight to behold. You enthralled the audience- ranging in age from 7 to 70 - with your passion and love of reading and writing and entertained them, seemingly effortlessly, for an hour. Your visit will be remembered for a long time to come and we all know that we were lucky to see you at the start of what we are sure will be an illustrious career - and deservedly so!"

Freda Wilson – Literacy Co-ordinator Glebe Junior School

 

The presentation was VERY informative and delivered in such a way that it held ALL the children’s interest throughout. It was excellent that Stuart involved the pupils at different stages and that there were some practical activities for them to be part of. They spoke enthusiastically for many days afterwards and were very keen for Stuart to return. AND they enjoyed reading your book and talking to their friends about it.

Teresa Salvage, Head of Literacy, St. Mary's Primary, Bathgate
 

I had my parents evening shortly after your visit and most of my boys’ parents raved about the enthusiasm and excitement for writing your visit had prompted.

Julie Pirie – P5 teacher Burntisland Primary School
 

The feedback I've had from teachers and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive.

Gerard McGuire – Head teacher, All Saints Primary, Greenock
 

Many thanks for the super event on Tuesday. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and have been talking about it ever since.

Dave Edwards, Head Teacher, Davidson Mains, Edinburgh
 

It was a pleasure to host you. Your sessions were lots of fun and I expect there has been some reading going on this weekend!

Kate Whitely, Head Teacher, Aberdour Primary School

 

Thoroughly enjoyed your session and it was plain to see that enjoyed every minute of it! Not to mention the staff! I loved the fact that your very funny presentation also delivered on the eco / recycling issue whilst encouraging reading and writing. I will have absolutely no qualms about recommending you to my colleagues here in the ERS and to the Head Teachers in my schools. Fingers crossed that schools continue to invite people like you, with such an infectious passion for their craft, into their schools. It’s such a great experience for the pupils.

Jen Dawson, Children & Young People's Librarian, Education Resource Service, North Lanarkshire.

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Superb childrens’ author....our P4 - P7 pupils were all absolutely entranced by his talk and the ideas he gave them for both reading and writing. Stuart's novel, "Gorgeous George and the Giant Geriatric Generator" is a superb book having read it myself and I know that many pupils in my class have since the visit bought the novel and enjoyed it. It is funny, entertaining and includes a number of interesting literary techniques which help to exemplify what the pupils should be trying to do in their own writing. It is fantastic to have finally found a book which encourages boys to read.

Frances McTiernan, Principal Teacher, Eastertoun Primary, Armadale.

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Stuart’s presentation was entertaining and lively and appealed to the interests of the age range of the children in the audience. There were plenty of opportunities for the audience to join in and audience participation was encouraged and, indeed, expected! Teacher’s afterwards reported back that children, including some boys who are not usually all that interested in writing, were keen to start work on their own stories and were looking at ways that they could use alliteration themselves.

Lois Cassidy, Depute Headteacher, Deanburn Primary School, Bo'ness

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Stuart performed the role of visiting author very well. His presentation hit the spot with the children in my school. He is clearly tuned into their way of seeing things. Our kids are now reading his book and are interested in the next in the series. We found Stuart to be very organised and amenable in setting up his visits and would hope to have you back.

Malcolm Cowie, Laurieston Primary School, Falkirk.

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I have just delivered your signed copies into the Primary 4-7 classes and the gasps of delight not only surprised but enthused me to continue to encourage our literacy developments in a humorous way! All of our pupils thoroughly enjoyed your visit and I am sure that their enthusiasm for reading, particularly the boys has been re-ignited!!

Jane Cossar, Deputy Principal, Corpus Christi, Glasgow

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One teacher said: “I felt Stuart had great presence and really captured the children’s’ attention and imagination.” On the whole both children and staff enjoyed your visit. Comments about your book have all been very positive. Thank you for helping to make our book week memorable. Good luck with your next book. Maybe you could come back and share it with us!

Denise Anthony, Principal Teacher St Joseph’s, Bonnybridge

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Thanks for really making our book week special. The children really enjoyed your visit. The children were engaged in your presentation and getting the kids involved was great too, it kept their attention. It was excellent that you used a visual stimulus so the children could begin to create images in their heads of your characters. All in all the children really loved your presentation and are looking forward to reading your book - we are going to read it as a class.

Fiona Caygill, Teacher, Head of Literacy, Victoria Primary, Falkirk

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I was absolutely delighted to showcase Stuart’s work in the school; not least because it lets children see that we do have local talent and that our children can aspire to careers in writing. Stuart delivered very informative and entertaining presentations to the children. Staff feedback was terrific.
Susan Dyer, Headteacher, Bankier Primary School

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Absolutely fantastic morning; teacher, parents, and especially the pupils had a wonderful time hearing all about a very funny story that entertains and helps the children learn a bit about recycling as well! There's a buzz about authors, creativity and imagination coming from all classes. What came across was your passion, enthusiasm, sense of humour and ability to keep the attention of all pupils at all times. It was wonderful to hear the laughter from the children and the excitement at having a real author autograph their books. One parent who attended posted on our Facebook page 'It was fantastically, fascinatingly and fabulous'
We wish you every success for the future and look forward to the publication of the next book!

Alison Townley, Head Teacher, Blackridge Primary School

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Thank you so much for your fantastic book reading last week. The children had so much fun and I’m already hearing rave reviews from those who have started reading 'Gorgeous George and the Geriatric Generator.' Thanks again for introducing us to Gorgeous George. I can't wait to start reading it to my class.

Nicola Forbes - St.Clement's Primary School

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Thank you so much for coming along to Bent Primary to share your new book and experience of being an author. Our children were captivated by your presentation and many of them are reading your book as their personal reader. Hopefully we will meet you again when your next book is published!

Margo Millar – Head Teacher, Bent Primary School, South Lanarkshire

Testimonies from Parents (Horton Grange primary, Blyth)

• Really good morning for both kids and adults. Can’t wait to start reading book with my son at home.

• Fabulous. The book looks great and we will enjoy reading it. Thank you.

• I found this really good. The girls had so much fun, Can’t wait to read it as a family.

• The presentation was really good and educational for the kids. Inspirational hopefully.

• Great reading with author. Kids enjoyed the humour. Brilliant for book enthusiasm.

• (My son) really enjoyed listening to Stuart as he would love to follow in his footsteps when he is older. A lovely experience.

• I love being involved in school and had lots of fun meeting Stuart Reid. He was funny and made the parents and children giggle.

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Edinburgh Festival Reviews

Shades of Roald Dahl abound in this hugely entertaining romp from award winning author Stuart Reid. Using only minimal props and fantastically illustrated slides the enthusiastic Mr Reid introduces not-so- Gorgeous George, Grandpa Jock and Mr Jolly the Janitor among others.
Based on his best selling two books Stuart Reid has created a one-man show that appeals to children and adults alike; Reid knows exactly how to connect with his willing audience. The audience roar with laughter… Stuart Reid is a natural performer, with enthusiasm oozing from every pore. He aims to inspire and inform as well as entertain. 

Recycling, literary techniques and green energy are absorbed into the act but never in a moralising way. I loved the way he encouraged the children to imagine a TV in their mind so they could bring the images from his words to life.

Exciting, entertaining and inspiring! A star in the making.

Primary Times magazine

 

Children’s author, Stuart Reid, knows exactly how to entertain children. His likeable persona, fun props and a colourful presentation resulted in a fun show that served to educate as well as entertain; Reid relayed the joys of reading and of the importance of being eco-friendly. So, don’t look any further than this show.

ThreeWeeks Edinburgh

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Evidently used to performing in schools, Reid’s awesome alliterative abilities and fantastic flights of fancy… physically acts out the stories in order to get the audience to visualise George’s adventures in their own minds. The extracts from his books are witty and original, demonstrating a fantastic capacity for invention… tantalising. Reid promotes certain school friendly values, such as the importance of reading, recycling and eco-friendliness.

Broadway Baby - Edinburgh Festival

 

Just to say I caught your show on Friday and really enjoyed it. You did a great performance and had the kids thoroughly engaged. I hope the rest of the run has gone as well and thank you!

Angela Galvin - BBC Children’s Development Producer

 

 

 

Judges Feedback from the Wishing Shelf Book Awards - Finalist

Title: Gorgeous George and the Zigzag Zit-faced Zombies

Author: Stuart Reid

Star Rating: 5 Stars

Number of Readers: 27

Stats

Editing: 9/10

Style: 8/10

Content: 9/10

Cover: 9/10

Of the 27 readers:

24 would read another book by this author.

26 thought the cover was good or excellent.

16 thought the characters were the best part of the book.

4 (all boys) thought it was a little too slow in the middle.

23 liked the ending.

Readers’ Comments

‘This is a fab book. I liked all of it particularly the disgusting bits. Cool cover too.’
Boy, aged 11

‘I’m not a big reader but I liked this. The drawings were funny and so was the story.’
Boy, aged 10

‘Good plot with lots happening. The plot was simple but it did have lots of interesting twists. But the characters, many of them totally disgusting, were the most fun. I liked it a lot’ Girl, aged 12

 ‘Gross but cool.’ Boy, aged 11

‘I did like this book and all the crazy twists and odd characters.’

Boy, aged 8

Catchy Quote

‘A totally gross, monster-fest! A FINALIST and highly recommended.’

 

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards - Gorgeous George And the Timewarp Trouser Trumpets - Silver Medal Winner

Star Rating:

Editing: 9/10

Writing Style: 9/10

Content: 10/10

Cover: 10/10

Of the 23 readers:

23 would read another book by this author.

23 thought the cover was good or excellent.

23 felt it was easy to follow.

23 would recommend this story to another reader to try.

16 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.

7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.

23 felt the pacing was good or excellent.

Readers’ Comments

‘I loved this book. I laughed all the time.’ Boy, aged 11

‘Very, very silly book. I love silly books!’ Boy, aged 12

‘The author is very good at making things exciting. His writing is good.’ Girl, aged 8

To Sum It Up:

‘Hysterical adventure with trumps aplenty. A SILVER MEDAL winner and highly recommended.’