Faith School Author Visits FAQ
Faith School Author Visits FAQ – The Best-Kept Secret Author Visits. Frequently Asked Questions for Faith Schools, Churches, and Libraries
Sophie’s author visits celebrate creativity, storytelling, and the power of imagination, offering an engaging and inclusive experience for children from all faith backgrounds. She has been warmly welcomed into schools with diverse student populations, including those with significant Muslim, faith-based, and Christian communities, as well as schools from Roman Catholic, Church of England, and non-denominational traditions. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers, parents, and pupils praising the inspiring sessions that spark a love of storytelling and history while being sensitive to the values and beliefs of each community.
Sophie ensures that The Best-Kept Secret author visits are inclusive and respectful of the diverse beliefs of all children. Even during themed visits in October, she refrains from referencing Halloween unless specifically requested by the school, tailoring the content to align with the values and preferences of each school community.
Sophie’s sessions don’t shy away from the magical elements of her book because they are central to the experience, but they are framed as imaginative and playful rather than tied to specific beliefs. The focus is always on creativity and storytelling—universal tools that bring history, folklore, and fantasy to life in a way that feels inclusive for every child.
By weaving together history, folklore, storytelling and imagination, Sophie ensures her sessions remain both exciting and accessible. They inspire children to think outside the box, embrace their creativity, and find the magic in stories, history, and the world around them.
Is The Best-Kept Secret suitable for a faith school author visit for Key Stage 2 pupils?
Yes, The Best-Kept Secret is ideal for KS2 audiences. The sessions focus on sparking creativity and imagination, allowing students to explore the folklore, legends, and mystery behind the story. Through role-playing, sensory activities, and fun exercises, the children get the chance to step into the world of the book, connecting with its characters and themes in an exciting and memorable way, making it both engaging and appropriate for KS2 pupils.
While the story is set during the time of the Pendle witch trials, it is not a direct retelling of those events. The trials are briefly referenced as part of the historical backdrop, but they are approached with sensitivity and respect. The focus is on exploring our shared history, rather than delving into its darker elements.
Absolutely! During KS1 sessions, Sophie simplifies The Best-Kept Secret to focus on the magical and imaginative aspects of the story, tailoring the content to suit younger children while keeping the emphasis on fantasy and dragons.
A Simplified Storytelling Experience
Sophie presents a condensed version of The Best-Kept Secret, focusing on the enchanting world of Elizabeth Demdike and her dragon, Our Kid. The narrative highlights the dragon’s creation, their playful antics, and the heartwarming theme of love and friendship.
Imaginative Role-Play
Children are given costumes such as witches' hats and are encouraged to take part in conjuring Our Kid, the dragon, from a magical cauldron. This activity sparks their imagination and allows them to be part of the storytelling.
Interactive Props and Sensory Fun
Props like dragon scales, dragon-sized poop, and the bubbling cauldron make the session immersive. The bubbling cauldron and realistic baby dragon (complete with slime, sound and visual effects) adds a sense of wonder that captivates KS1 students.
Focus on Fantasy and Magic
While the broader themes of folklore and history may take a backseat, the emphasis remains on fantasy—dragons, magic, and the playful elements of storytelling. Sophie ensures the content is age-appropriate and centred on wonder and creativity.
Engagement through Visuals
Illustrations from the book and other visual aids are used to keep younger children engaged, helping them connect with the story and the characters.
The KS1 sessions are designed to inspire young children, nurture their creativity, and introduce them to the joy of fantasy storytelling in a way that’s fun, interactive, and age-appropriate. The dragon and magical elements remain at the heart of the experience, ensuring a captivating session for even the youngest participants.
Is The Best-Kept Secret suitable for a faith school author visit for Key Stage 1 pupils?
Does The Best-Kept Secret contain witchcraft?
Yes, the story features magic, but it’s playful and light-hearted. Elizabeth uses magic to help in everyday life, like knitting jumpers for shivering sheep, creating love potions for lonely knights, and transforming ants into willing volunteers to watch over the dragon and keep it safe for hundreds of years!
While she uses magic, she’s far from sinister—her unconditional love for the baby dragon she accidentally creates is the central theme of the book. The magical elements are presented in a fun, non-threatening way that aligns with a positive, imaginative atmosphere, encouraging children to embrace creativity in their own storytelling.
During Sophie’s Key Stage 2 author visit, children will have the chance to conjure a baby dragon, inhale the scents of herbs from Elizabeth Demdike’s garden, and even try the liquorice root from her kitchen. They will be captivated by the baby dragon’s first baby tooth, carefully stored in Demdike’s treasured keepsake box, and marvel at Demdike's potion chest. They’ll also wear blindfolds and be transported 400 years back in time, experiencing the thrill of the knight’s chase and seeking sanctuary in Demdike’s cottage.
These sensory activities immerse the students in the magical world of Elizabeth Demdike, helping them connect with the story in a dynamic, hands-on way. The visit is designed to spark imagination and inspire creative thinking through sensory exploration, storytelling, and role-playing.
What magical experiences will children encounter during the author visit?
Is there any dark magic in The Best-Kept Secret author visits?
No! The focus of Sophie's author visit is on the fun, creative aspects of magic. Elizabeth uses magic to conjure a baby dragon and create potions, but there is no dark magic or sinister powers involved. The magic is light-hearted and playful, proving that even the most chaotic situations can lead to the happiest of outcomes.
The theme of unconditional love is central, especially in Elizabeth’s care for the baby dragon she conjures. Through storytelling and imaginative play, the author visit allows children to explore the magic of creativity while keeping things fun and engaging.
Not at all! The visit is designed to be fun and uplifting, with a focus on the magical aspects of the story. For KS1, the session revolves around light-hearted fantasy elements, particularly the antics of Our Kid, the baby dragon. Far from frightening, the baby dragon is a bit of a calamity—causing chaos with fiery bodily functions and even burning down a local landmark! Nothing is unsettling, just plenty of laughs and imagination.
For KS2, the author's visit includes a brief introduction to the history of the Lancashire witch trials, as this provides the backdrop for The Best-Kept Secret. During the session, we also explore Magic in the Mundane, which brings local legends and folklore to life—but always in a way that intrigues rather than frightens! Since we read the entire book in the KS2 author session, the children also meet the adult dragon. The adult dragon is enshrouded in mystery, with only rumours to hint at the truth behind the smoke. While the book builds suspense and intrigue, it is not a scary story. Instead, it plays with mystery and folklore in a manner that sparks curiosity rather than fear. The tension arises from the unknown, encouraging the children to ponder what if?
And, of course, there’s absolutely no pressure for children to take part in any activity they’re not comfortable with. Whether wearing a witches’ hat, trying the liquorice root, or wearing a blindfold for a sensory activity—everything is optional and intended to enhance the fun, not to cause any discomfort. Every child can engage in the way that feels best for them!
Can we expect any scary or unsettling moments during the visit?
'Literature and art, which includes reference to witchcraft and magic, have been longstanding features in British culture and education. As with all literature, materials used should be appropriate for children’s ages, and schools should make professional judgements about the appropriateness of any texts mentioning witches or witchcraft on the same basis as they would for any other materials.'
Deborah Smith Deputy Director of Education August 2018
