What People Say About John ...
"Bravo! A tour de force."
- Michael Morpurgo
"Absolutely brilliant!"
- George Lamb, BBC6 Music
"Absolutely bloody brilliant!"
- Nicky Horn - Planet Rock / Capital Gold
"John Harris is 'The Urban Storyteller' - quite unlike any other storyteller you`ve ever heard and quite wonderful."
- Malcolm Burgess, Literature Development Officer for Essex
"I've listened to storytellers all over Europe and all over this country, and you are far and away the best I've ever heard."
- Milton Hall Primary School, Westcliff
"You've always been brilliant value for money!"
- Stifford Clays Junior School, Thurrock
"You deserve all the praise that's been heaped upon you."
- Birchfield School, Shropshire
"Dear John,
Yesterday was simply fabulous! Thank you on behalf of myself, my colleagues and all of the children for such an inspirational day of stories.
Below are some of the emails I have already had back from parents and staff proving just how enjoyable the visit was:
"It sounds as if it was a great day yesterday and thank you so much for organising. We had most of the story that Katie heard retold in vivid detail at breakfast!"
"Thank you for organising the story teller. Both of my children were very excited when I picked them up from school. On the way home I heard about the stories they were told during the day which sounded fantastic and they are extremely happy with their new books. Georgia started to read her book to the family last night which was wonderful. Looking forward to tonight's reading."
"He was excellent I learnt a lot from his delivery."
Andrew Grundy, Upper school English and History teacher.
"The storyteller sounded fantastic, I would have loved to have seen him."
"Brandon (2K) thoroughly enjoyed it and spoke with such excitement and enthusiasm about the visit. His words: "He was soooooo good. He’s such a good story teller. I wish you could see him Mum because he was so good"."
"Just a quick email to thank you so much for arranging John's visit. Both Ben and Charlotte were full of it, and they both told amazing stories which must have totally captured their imagination. It was lovely to listen to them! Thanks again for arranging such a stimulating and inspiring visit!"
"Thank you for organising this Julie, the children are buzzing!" Victoria Gibbs, Foundation Manager and Year 1 teacher"
- Westbrook Hay Prep School
"I have heard brilliant things about Monday. One year 6 girl couldn't sleep because of story ideas, a reception child who hasn't yet smiled smiled for the first time, somewhat challenging children behaved themselves and staff haven't laughed so much in ages .....Can you come everyday?!
Seriously, thank you for inspiring everyone and thank you for the books for the library the children will enjoy them for a long time to come. A brilliant start to the week and the children have said that you have been the best person we have ever had in bookweek!"
- St. Joseph's Primary School, Epsom
"Thanks for your great performances yesterday, the children were really fired up about them and had a great time."
- Brighton College Prep
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! The children loved your stories ... the staff loved your stories ... and parents have mentioned today how much they love your stories because the children have done as you asked and shared your tales at home.
Your energy and enthusiasm, your passion, your ability to hold us all transfixed ... amazing!"
- Copthill School, Lincolnshire
"At assembly I asked the children if they'd like the storyteller to come again and every single child put their hand up. It has been a wonderful day."
- Cannon Lane First School, Pinner
"The day has been wonderful and everyone has said so. I just don't know how you keep up that level of energy all day!"
- Exeter Junior School
"The older boys were so excited to hear you were visiting us again and were telling the younger ones some of your stories last night. Once again you've had them all transfixed and it's wonderful to see the effect you have on them."
- Ludlow
"Amazing. Everyone has raved about you all day - kids and staff - can you come back next term?"
- Kingswood Junior School, Basildon
"Thank you for being such an inspiring guest!"
- Dulwich Prep School London
"Everyone has been raving about you all day. I've had children coming up to me and saying "he's the best!" "He rocks!" and, of course, "Can he come again?""
- Brookside Junior School, Harold Hill, Romford
"Thank you for giving us a fantastic day full of stories. I've had great feedback already from pupils and parents both. See you next year I hope."
- Thomas's School, Clapham
"Again .....what a fabulous morning. You really are so talented. The boys loved it and were talking about it all afternoon."
- Eaton House School, London SW1
"What an amazing Storyteller you are, I was totally mesmerized!!"
- Parent, Ballard School, New Milton, Hampshire
"The children (and staff!) have had a wonderful day and everyone is very excited."
- Ballard School, New Milton, Hampshire
"When I read the terms and conditions I thought you might be a bit of a diva, but you're not: you're utterly and absolutely brilliant and I could listen to you all day - we all could! Can you come every week?"
- Mount Carmel Secondary School, Dublin
"We'll be recommending you to everyone!"
- Patrician College, Dublin
"As ever, the boys greatly enjoyed your unique storytelling style and irrepressible energy. Long may it last. Thank you, as always, for your visit."
- Willington Prep School, Wimbledon
"Thank you so much for coming, we all loved the sessions. The children were really buzzing."
- Crofton Infants School, Orpington
"Thank you so much for such a fantastic visit to Aldenham Prep last Friday. The children in all year groups really enjoyed the sessions."
- Aldenham Prep School, Elstree
"You are a hero in this school! All the kids have been raving about you and last night my son just wouldn't put your book down, he loves it! Thank you so much."
- Parent, Crofton Infants School, Orpington
"As always, your visit was a great success, hugely enjoyed by all the children, and we look forward to seeing you again next year (perhaps there'll be another book published by then. . . ?)."
- Holmewood Hous School, Tunbridge Wells
"One or two of our "hard nuts" have been heard discussing how you were "reeely excellent"! And when they were commended on sitting still for you, their reply (rolling their eyes to heaven) was "Well, Miss, it wasn't hard 'cos he was reeely reeely good!". Praise indeed."
- Westbridge Primary School, Battersea
"I was so engrossed in the story I completely forgot where I was. Then at the end I suddenly remembered I had a bunch of kids with me and realised they'd been as transported as I had been - it was quite wonderful."
- Christ Church Infants School, Bristol
"'Fantastic' 'Brilliant' 'Astonishing' 'Amazing' 'Inspiring' 'Hilarious' 'Outstanding' 'Excellent' 'Scary' 'Awesome' 'Magnificent' 'Superb' 'Spooky' 'Cool' 'Magical' 'Wonderful'"
- Year 5 Haslingfield Primary School, Cambridge
"John is a fantastic storyteller. He makes everything he says sound as if it's true, even if it isn't. If you've been dithering over whether to have a visitor or not, then stop right now and invite John Harris!"
- Chafford Hundred Campus
"Everybody's been raving about you all day, it's been wonderful."
- Hoebridge School, Woking
"'Wonderful - as always!'"
- Dulwich College Junior School
"I try to organize different things each year for book week but there's one thing the staff simply won't allow me to change: they insist on having you. You are the highlight of the whole week. We all look forward to your visits, and you never disappoint."
- Devonshire House School, Hampstead
"Many thanks for a super day. A great time was had by all (pupils and teachers)."
- Rayleigh Primary School, Essex
"I can't believe they sat agog for an hour, and I can't believe how quickly that hour went!"
- Belchamp St Paul Primary School, Essex
"You are amazing! You had every one us enthralled for an hour!"
- Mildene Primary School. Tiptree
"You have a God given talent - I would kill to be able to tell stories the way you do!"
- Exeter Junior School
"Amazing! Even those who seemed to think they were too mature to listen to stories were transfixed!"
- Salesian College, Farnborough
"We feel honoured to have had such a wonderful storyteller at the launch of our storytelling garden, it's been perfect!"
- Pickhurst Infant School
"You've had every child in this school in the palm of your hand - how do you do it?"
- Greatstone Primary School, Kent
"We've all had such a brilliant day, the children have been just raving about you!"
- Milton Keynes Prep School
"My son recently heard John at Salesian College. He was mesmerised by John's storytelling and has told me the story word for word - thank you!"
- Parent, Salesian College, Farnborough
"You do realise that half the kids in this school are now running around checking to see who has yellow socks and the other half are searching for woodland monsters? I've never seen anyone have such a galvanising effect on a whole school and I'm going to recommend you to everyone!"
- Paulton Junior School, Bristol
"Absolutely wonderful - we heard great things but you exceeded our expectations!"
- Grange Primary School, Ealing
"A quick note to say a big massive than you for visiting my son's school, Moulsford. You had a real, great, profound effect on him - he hasn't stopped going on about your visit and your story and has tried to re-enact it with all unsuspecting guests to our home since! You do a really great job and have had a great effect on all the other students. Thanks again, and keep up the great work!"
- Parent, Moulsford Prep School, Oxfordshire.
"Thank you for today, it's been wonderful as always. I think it's great to see how so many of the older boys look forward to your visits and are able to remember in vivid detail every story you've ever told them."
- Northwood Prep School, Rickmansworth
"They were mesmerised, thank you very very very much!"
- Woodham Ley Primary School, Essex
"Thanks for such an inspirational day - it was just what we needed!"
- Barn Croft Primary School, Walthamstow
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for Friday. The children and the staff thoroughly enjoyed their sessions! Some have told me that they have read their books already ... and why haven't you written more?!!
I can honestly say that the money I spent on the day (from the English budget) was the best money I have spent this academic year!"
- RGS The Grange, Worcester
"Everyone thought you were brilliant.....students and staff alike......you have gone down a storm and are currently the talk of the school and of the staffroom!"
- Holyhead School, Birmingham
"Four classes crammed into one classroom, and every one of them sitting perfectly still and listening attentively for a whole hour. I never thought I'd see anything like it!"
- Wellington Primary School, Hounslow
"Just wanted to say many thanks again for the great storytelling. Having just read the rave reviews from my top set Year 7s, who were clearly determined not to enjoy it, you certainly managed to convince them that storytelling is for all ages!"
- King's Prep School, Rochester
"What can I say?! The children haven't stopped talking about you, and they are desperate to have you back! At last night's Parents' Evening, it was obvious that the children had gone home to their parents and related the stories you had told them - correction, most of the children spilled out the stories on the way home in the car! One Dad, who had never known his son to talk for any length of time about anything to do with school, was taking his son home in the car, and after 15 minutes his son hadn't drawn breath, so he pulled the car over and allowed his son to finish the whole story, because they were almost home and he didn't want his son to have to finish abruptly."
- The Croft Prep School, Stratford on Avon
"Wonderful - yet again!"
- FKS School, Felsted, Essex
"The children loved your sessions - especially those troublesome "too cool for school" types in Y9; they were raving about it for days, as were all the little ones; truly inspirational so please feel very smug.... I include some of the comments from the Y8s and 9s below:
"Funny and scary with a hint of madness!"
"He makes your imagination run wild as he envelops you in his tale."
"He pulled me into the story and made me feel that I was there."
"His stories were wonderfully grim and laced with humour."
"Mindblowing!"
"He really caught the imagination of his audience."
"John Harris kept you clinging on to the edge of your seat.""
- Rookwood School, Andover
""When I went to collect him from school on that day, I asked: how was the story telling? His whole facial expression changed, he smiled and said 'It was fantastic, he told us the story with sooo much expression, really funny.'"
- From a thank you letter from a parent, Holmewood House, Tunbridge Wells
"The whole atmosphere has been really buzzy all day, and all the staff have been delighted by how absorbed and engrossed the children have been. Will you come again next year?"
- Cold Norton Primary School, Essex
"The children thoroughly enjoyed their workshops with you and were buzzing afterwards."
- Unicorn School, Richmond on Thames
"It's been brilliant! They've been completely mesmerised and I don't know how you're not completely exhausted!"
- St. Michael's Primary School, Sydenham
"We've been working really hard at developing stories, both written and told, and this will have been so good for everyone. It has been wonderful to see their reactions and the way in which they've just been glued to their seats. Thank you so much!"
- Shrewsbury High Prep School GDST
"You have an extraordinary and rare talent. You have your audiences hooked from the start. You take them on a journey that involves all sorts of twists and turns and they're with you all the way, utterly enraptured."
- Holmewood House School, Tunbridge Wells
"Please convey our thanks to John. He was, as always, brilliant with the boys."
- Bedford Prep School
"It's rare to find someone who is equally brilliant across the whole range, from Reception up to year 6. You are."
- Licensed Victuallers' Junior School, Ascot
"Every time you visit us I`m torn between watching you and watching the children. You have every single child utterly engrossed. When you take a breath, they do. When your expression changes, so do theirs. I have never in my life seen a performer who holds his entire audience the way you do, and you do it every time!"
- Clifton College Prep school, Bristol
"Over the years we've watched you, and listened to you, and learned so much that storytelling is now a part of life in this school. You have influenced the whole culture of this school."
- St. Cedd's Primary School, Bradwell on Sea
"I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of us all at Perran-ar-Worthal for the excellent day you gave us on Friday. The whole school was buzzing as a result of your exciting and spellbinding storytelling!"
- Perran-ar-Worthal CP School, Cornwall
"I was intending to sit quietly at my desk at the back of the library and get so much work done today, but I haven't been able to tear myself away from the stories. You've had us all spellbound all day."
- Badminton School, Bristol
"Thank you so much for your work on Friday. I have received nothing but positive feedback from staff, pupils and even parents.
The pupils are also passing on your stories as well as telling many of their own, so the day has proved extremely productive in all manner of ways."
- Austin Friars St. Monica's School, Carlisle
"I just casually mentioned in assembly that you were coming next week and the roar was deafening."
- St. Margaret's School, Gifford Bowers
"While you're here can we book you back again for next year? The girls just love your stories!"
- Piper's Corner School, Great Kingshill, Bucks.
"We've been working really hard recently on telling stories: on developing our use of language and imagery and pacing the story to build up the excitement. Now that they've seen such a master at work I'm sure it'll have left a huge impression on them and improved the quality of their own work enormously."
- Stifford Clays Junior School
"Thank you for such a wonderful, brilliant, exciting and stimulating day! Every child in the school sat in silence and awe during the stories and has been buzzing with excitement ever since!"
- FKS School, Felsted
"Watching John spin his brand of magic is truly amazing. His
voice drops and the audience leans in closer to hear as the story progresses, and at the denouement he raises his voice, prompting the screams.
Over the past three years and nine months John has been the most talked-about and popular visitor to the Teenage Reading Group. He is one of the best (if not the best) storytellers in the
UK today."
- Matthew Imrie, Thamesmead Library
"Thank you for a great day - the children gained a great deal from it and the staff were very complimentary too."
- St. Alban's Infants School, Dartford
"Thank you so much - the children were entranced and just sat in awe for a full hour!"
- Moorings Way Infants School, Portsmouth
"Thank you for a fantastic day.... all the staff have expressed their gratitude."
- Chalkwell Hall Junior School, Southend
"Absolutely fabulous! It was a delight to listen to you, and it was a delight to see their faces. They were totally enraptured for the whole hour!"
- Holmewood House School, Tunbridge Wells
"I am always amazed at how carefully you tune into the children - the stories were so absolutely spot-on. You have been fantastic today, and I just don't understand how you're not completely exhausted."
- Newton Prep School, Battersea
"Thank you so much for a truly memorable day - we look forward to seeing you again very soon!"
- Bilton Grange School, Dunchurch, Rugby
"How you got this lot to sit so still and so quiet for so long I don't know - can you come and live here?"
- Ruckleigh School, Solihull
"Utterly amazing - the looks on the kids' faces was something to behold!"
- St. Barnabus C of E Primary School, Warmley, Bristol
"Very many thanks for coming to visit us at Ranelagh, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and it was good to see you again."
- Sally Ballard, Librarian, Ranelagh School, Bracknell
"Before we booked you we asked a few other schools about you. They all said you were great - they were right!"
- Kendall Primary School Colchester
"They were hanging on your every word - as always!"
- St. Cedd`s School, Bradwell on Sea
"I wouldn`t hesitate to recommend you to anyone."
- Cranford House School, Moulsford, Oxford
"I just wanted to say that I could see the children loved that, and so did I - it was absolutely wonderful!"
- Ofsted Inspector, Milton Hall School, Westcliffe on Sea
"Absolutely wonderful and very very funny!"
- Pinewood School, Bourton, Wilts
"A low maintenance visitor who establishes his authority with the kids as soon as they enter the room and has them hanging on his every word with their jaws on the floor. Brilliant!"
- Shepshed High School, Leicestershire
"The feedback has been fantastic!"
- Frances Mason, Youth Services Librarian, London Borough of Bexley
"You are, quite literally, magic. You have cast a spell over these children and enriched their lives."
- Chairman of Governors, Boxted Primary School, Colchester
"I've been getting glowing reports all day, from Reception right up to Year 8 - they've all had a wonderful time and I'd like to add that you are absolutely top value for money!"
- Simon Weight, Abingdon Prep School
"Absolutely amazing! You came to us highly recommended, but you exceeded our wildest expectations!"
- Thorpe Greenways Junior School, Southend
"All the children were entranced by your stories and talked about them for days afterwards - many many thanks for such a wonderful day"
- Spring Grove Prep School, Kent
"I've just had the year sixes and all they wanted to do was talk about how wonderful you are and tell me the stories, and in the staff room everyone is just raving about you!"
- Watergall Primary School, Peterborough
"As ever, your stories captivated the boys and they thoroughly enjoyed the sessions."
- Penny Horsman, Head of Junior School, Dulwich College
"I`ve never seen the year sixes burst into spontaneous applause before! Wonderful!"
- Bournes Green Junior, Southend
"Absolutely wonderful - the boys have been mesmerized."
- Ludgrove School
"Wow! I`ve never known an hour go so quickly!"
- Mildmay Junior School, Chelmsford
"I've had girls coming up to me in the corridors saying 'Miss, that storyteller was fantastic!' they're all buzzing with excitement."
- Wirral Grammar School for Girls
"I don`t have to ask if they enjoyed it - I could see their faces!"
- Northwood Prep School, Rickmansworth
"The week got off to a flying start with a visit from nationally renowned storyteller, John Harris.
John led three storytelling sessions in the theatre and charmed the children with stories from around the world and a spine chilling version of 'Beowulf'. The mesmerised expressions on the children's faces was evidence enough of their enjoyment of the experience: John had them in the palm of his hand. This was a great start to Book Week and to promoting the joy of books and reading."
- Farleigh School, Andover (Website)
"I was talking about you with my class afterwards and they were buzzing! They couldn`t get over how one person on their own, with no props, costumes, make-up or special effects, could hold their attention so completely for a whole hour. They were amazed and so was I!"
- Canvey Junior School, Canvey Island
"I know from listening to the children afterwards how much they enjoyed your visit.... it is such a bonus for them to be exposed to some good, well constructed language."
- Goodwyn School Mill Hill
"Everybody has been saying what a fantastic day they've had. The children were hanging on your every word and were buzzing with the stories. Everyone says their classes have produced amazing written work and pictures and are reading out loud with so much more animation and enthusiasm - you'll have to come again!"
- Thorpe Greenways Infants school, Southend
"Every child in this school is rushing around swapping stories and talking about who they`re going to tell them to when they get home. Thank you for such a wonderful day!"
- Thaxted Primary
"Some of us were talking in the staffroom yesterday afternoon, asking each other "How did he do it?" - the 'he' being you and the 'it' being keeping 50 or so kids enthralled without props, DVDs or prozac. I told you that one liked the timbre of your voice so that must have been partly it but I can't quite work out what the rest of it was. Anyway, if you could distil and bottle some of it, send us a crate."
- Nia Davies, SYR Hugh Owen School, Caernarfon
"'Utterly brilliant - the children have been galvanised!'"
- Pickhurst Junior School, Bromley
"I spent the whole time watching their faces - I have never seen children so entranced!"
- The Study Prep School, Wimbledon
"The looks of amazement, laughter and - sometimes - shock on the faces of our pupils testifies to the power of the stories and the talent and energy that goes into your performance. Many, many thanks for making this such an outstanding and entertaining experience for us."
- Sonia Constantinou, Librarian, Highgate Junior School
""They were all so engrossed they didn't move - he had them all completely in the palm of his hand!""
- Donna Paul, Librarian, Farleigh School, Andover
"I`ve never laughed so much in one day in my life!"
- Jake, Year 6, Dunmow St. Mary`s Primary School
"I laughed so much I thought I was going to be sick!"
- Year 2 Pupil, Summercroft Infants School, Bishops Stortford
"Absolutely fantastic - I love the way your stories can go off in different directions and the children just follow wherever the story takes them, it`s marvelous to see!"
- Duncombe School, Bengeo, Herts
"I thoroughly enjoyed that, and I don`t have to ask the children if they did because I can see sheer delight on their faces!"
- Farnborough Primary School, Kent
"Can you come back tomorrow?"
- Our Lady`s Junior, Abingdon
"I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful day. The children are still talking about you, from Reception right the way up to Year 8 who felt 'Captivated' by your words. Many of the children are still enjoying your books and I know they would love to see you again - can we book you for next year?"
- Katherine Vacher, Head of English Barfield School Farnham
"Thank you so much for coming on Tuesday. Everyone I've spoken to, girls and teachers, really enjoyed it."
- Linda Raywood, Librarian, Abbey Junior School Reading
"Fantastic! I hope you realise you`re now an annual feature on our calendar!"
- Eaton House School, Belgravia
"That was just what we needed- the fact that my son`s just gone and taken two books out says everything!"
- Parent - Sidcup Library, Kent
"The feedback has been glowing; with many children sharing their stories heard during your sessions with others - I`ve even heard about a number of scary sleepover storytelling sessions from our year 5 and 6 pupils! The children were both delighted with and impressed at the way you made your stories come alive for them and a number of them have been encouraged to be more expressive in their own retellings. It was felt generally that your contribution to our book week encapsulated what book week is all about - the celebration of stories and storytelling."
- Megan Ellis, Librarian, Berkhamsted Collegiate School
"Thank you so much for Friday. As in previous years it was brilliant and I know that the boys will be talking for days and days about the stories."
- Carol Botteril, Librarian, Elstree School, Woolhampton
"Spellbinding - there`s no other word to describe it!"
- Alleyn`s Junior School, Dulwich
"I would like to say a very big thank you on behalf of the children, who thoroughly enjoyed your visit. They loved the stories and just being made that little bit afraid; the unpredictability of the next word, and whether it was going to make them jump. I do hope that we can call on you to visit us again. It was brilliant, thank you."
- Bishop's Stortford College Junior School
"Absolutely Wonderful - everyone has been raving about you, children and staff. Can you come again?"
- St Mary`s Hare Park, Romford
"Many thanks for a wonderful morning! We were particularly impressed by your ability to reach all age groups equally effectively."
- Notting Hill Prep School
"I wanted to say a big thank you on behalf of the school for your stimulating and exciting visit last week. The children were mesmerised by your story-telling, even the Year 7s and 8s who are not always easy to please. Thanks for a BRILLIANT day!"
- Laura Konviser, Librarian, Orley Farm School, Harrow
"Professional Storyteller John Harris put on an inspiring show at Clifton College Preparatory School on the 7th February, performing his stimulating versions of ancient myths and legends to the captivated Year 5s and 7s.
It was a pleasure to see children so invigorated and touched by John's storytelling without the use of visual imagery or props. There was clear encouragement to find a personal voice and choose words wisely and with patience for their poetic and descriptive quality. The children's consistent attention was given away not only by their silence but by the simultaneous gasping, tutting and laughter in response to John's performance. The underlying messages in the stories of hope and love were strong and valuable ones but it was the overall lesson on listening and communicating that was no doubt taken away by all the children, that highlights the importance of John's visit."
- Clifton College Website
"I've had such a wonderful time just sitting at the side watching the faces of every child you've told stories to. Every group you've had have been wide eyed and silent, and the staff have enjoyed it as much as the kids!"
- Pam Dalby, Librarian, Chafford School
"The Best Storyteller in the world!"
- West Leigh Junior School, Southend
"He is the best storyteller in the world!"
- Erin, Charlotte and Isabella, Year 2 - St. Gabriel's School, Berks