Welcome!
If we want to encourage children to read we have to begin by nurturing their love of stories, and no-one can do that better than a good Storyteller.
A well told story can take an audience from a gasp of shock to a scream of laughter in the twist of a phrase. It can leave the listener more exhilirated and moved than anything on a screen can do - the immediacy and intensity of a live performance which reaches every child in the audience is priceless.
A good Storyteller takes children to another world, where they stretch their imaginations and run the gamut of emotions; they can sympathise and empathise, rationalise and quantify. Their own experiences can be related to others and learned from, and their understanding of the world around them is developed. Listening to a good Storyteller can help enable a child to find their own voice in the world.
'A tour de force' - Michael Morpurgo
John Harris is one of only a handful of full-time professional Storytellers in Britain, and the only one who works exclusively with younger audiences.
As well as telling stories to great acclaim in hundreds of schools, libraries and literary festivals all over the country he has been interviewed and asked to tell stories on BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and Planet Rock, and has acted as consultant for programmes on Radio 4. Visits by John were the prize last year in a national schools writing competition. He's told stories at the Roald Dahl Museum and was a guest speaker at The Prince of Wales' Education Summer School, where Michael Morpurgo described his contribution as 'A Tour de Force'.
He has also published four much loved and critically acclaimed children's books.
A visit from John can have a lasting effect - we just don't have the room on this website to publish the letters and emails we get thanking him not just for the excitement generated by his stories but also the work produced following his visit.
It's also significant that in the many schools he visits regularly the children can remember all the stories he's ever told them - he really can galvanise a group of children like no-one else!
His stories come from all times and places: ancient tales; classical mythology; folk tales; spooky tales; myths and legends from all around the world, and many stories of his own.
His work encourages listening and speaking skills, concentration, an understanding of narrative, and the love of stories which is the basis not just of a love of reading but of a fully rounded human being.
Most of his bookings are return visits or by recommendation. Wherever he tells his stories the word most often used in response is 'Spellbinding'. When you hear him you'll know why.
But don't take our word for it - if you click here you can see what people who've booked John recently have to say about him!
This site should tell you everything you need to know , but if it doesn't please just ask - either phone 07999 985986 or visit the contact page to send an email.
We look forward to hearing from you!