My name is Claire Donald, I live in Risca, South Wales. I was a primary school teacher for twenty years before getting my book Mother Earth is Weeping published. I am passionate about children’s education with a particular interest in social and emotional development and language development. I also love picture books and believe they are a powerful tool for learning not only for young children but older children too. So, Mother Earth is Weeping combines all of these things into one little picture book with a big punch! It contains a lot of tier 2 and 3 vocabulary. Teachers love the book because it is packed with teaching and learning opportunity. ( There is also a free teacher/ activity pack and who doesn’t love a freebie! ) It is current and touches upon many of the problems we see and hear about everyday, that cause many children to feel anxious. This book gives children a way to open up about their concerns and of course how they might be addressed.
I now visit schools with the poignant but uplifting little book of hope for Earth’s future guardians. I inspire and empower pupils to use their voices for change. This links well with the new welsh curriculum and helps children on the journey to come ethically informed citizens of Wales and the world.
I provide two different types of visit.
1. I read to all classes and talk about the content and teach them a song. The children interview me and I encourage them to be writers by talking about the processes.
2. I do the same for two classes only, with a rainforest poetry workshop. This can be used for teacher training too, for newly qualified entrants or teachers who are not confident with poetry.
The feedback we are getting is very positive and we are now getting rebooked by schools too.
