Contacting John
The best way to contact John - and the only way to book him - is by email.
You can email him at:
info@johnharristhestoryteller.com
Alternatively you can fill in the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Please include as much information as possible: the name and address of the school or organisation, probable group sizes, preferred dates and so on. John travels all over the country and tries to fit in as many school visits as he can, so simple enquiries about availability can't really be answered - it depends on where you are and whether he can fit in a visit to you between the bookings he already has.
If you'd like to talk to John then please include a contact number in the email, but do bear in mind that during term time he`s out most days telling stories in schools so please leave a mobile or home number he can contact you on out of school hours.
You can try phoning the office - 07999 985 986 - but you'll more than likely get the voicemail service and it might be a day or two before he can respond to your message or return your call. Again, please leave a mobile or evening number as well as the school's details.
Once a booking has been made
John will confirm the date and the arrangements by email and that email will be accompanied by the invoice, the terms and conditions, and the letter we ask you to send out to parents about the visit and the booksigning.
Please do read the terms and conditions below. They are mostly straightforward and fairly obvious, but they are also very important for the smooth running of the visit you're paying for.
If any problems arise from the terms and conditions please contact us IMMEDIATELY, otherwise it is assumed they have been accepted and are binding.
A couple of weeks before the visit you'll also be sent a cardboard tube of posters and publicity stuff for you to put up around the school to make the children aware that the visit is on its way.
As a thank you for the booking and for sending out the letters to parents John does, of course, leave with you with a set of his books.
Terms and Conditions - please read
A booking is regarded as a contract once a date for a visit has been agreed. Cancellations within three days of the booking being made will not be charged, but in all other cases a cancellation fee of 50% will apply. If less than a month's notice is given of a cancellation the full fee will be payable. In the unlikely event that John has to cancel a booking every effort will be made to find an alternative date and for the alternative date the school will be given a 25% discount.
Payment for the storytelling sessions is by cheque on the day of the visit unless otherwise arranged at the time of the booking, in which case payment is due within 30 days of the visit. All late payments are subject to a 20% surcharge under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
For the visit:
Please ensure a parking space is available.
The first performance will begin at 9:30 am unless otherwise arranged.
At least one member of staff must be present during the performances and at the booksigning.
Maximum audience sizes are 50 for Reception, 90 for Years 1 - 6 and 50 for KS3.
Please note that John does not work with children younger than Reception age.
The sessions must take place in an appropriate setting without through-traffic and where external noise and interruptions are kept to a minimum.
Spaces which are also thoroughfares are neither suitable nor acceptable.
Ideally the audience should sit on the floor (adults excluded!) and John should be provided with something to sit on which allows all of the audience to see him.
John is happy to be photographed talking to the children at the beginning and end of sessions, but please do not take photographs while the stories are being told - it distracts both audience and performer and can spoil the atmosphere that John has worked hard to build (and for which you are paying). Please note that this also applies to press photography.
Please ensure all colleagues are aware of this.
For the book signing please provide a suitable table and chair.
A letter for parents about the visit and the booksigning will accompany the invoice. Please ensure the letter is sent out to all parents, either in its original form or reproduced substantively within the school's own communications. Posters will also be sent and it is expected that these will be displayed around the school prior to the visit. Please note that the offer of a free set of John's books for the school does not apply if other books are being sold on the day of the visit.
If the school allows children to purchase books on the day but pay at a later date an inventory of sales must be provided at the end of the visit. The school will then be invoiced and the invoice must be paid within 30 Days.