February Artist of the Month – Kev Payne
Our February ‘Artist of the Month’ is multi-talented author, poet and illustrator Kev Payne. He talks to us all about his past life as a teacher, his favourite unusual animal and the top disgusting fact he’s learnt.
About Kev Payne
Kev was inspired to become a writer through his own teachers at school who gave him a real love of learning, reading and writing. As a teacher for 17 years, Kev can offer schools a range of workshops that he knows can be linked to objectives in school and how to present them. He is now the author of a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry books as well as an accomplished illustrator.
What a visit from Kev entails
Kev can work with all primary aged children and is adept at liaising with staff to create a tailored day of activities for schools.
Workshops Kev can offer include:
Poetry performance and poetry writing workshops, talking through rhythm and patterns of poetry, how to generate ideas for poems and using children’s own experiences as a basis for writing.
Non-fiction writing based on animals and Kev’s book ‘B is for Blobfish’. How to take notes, skim reading and formal language to create their own class book.
Illustrators workshops, taking the children through the process of receiving a brief right through to a finished product. How to draw in simple steps!
Victorians – the role of the town crier and Punch and Judy puppet show, puppet making and performance
A 'Gross & Ghastly' workshop introducing children to his non-fiction series and showing the children how to research and write their own disgusting facts! Kev can guide the children through the whole writing process and how the book series was published. Kev can focus on using a range of sources and how to add illustrations to bring their own 'Gross & Ghastly' pages to life.
A storytelling workshop based on Kev's book 'Mole Wants a Hat' which involves a reading of the story and cross-curricular opportunities for writing which can include story mapping, creative writing, instructions, DT and Art. Kev talks through the ideas for writing and how children can start writing their own books from any age.'Book in a Day' Workshop! Kev will work with children to show them the process involved in writing and getting a book published. The children will get the opportunity to write a story, design a cover, add illustrations and hold their very own copy of the book - all in one day! The workshop uses copies of Kev's 'Doodle Me and Epic Story' which can be purchased as class sets.
A visit would normally consist of a whole-school interactive assembly for 30/40 minutes to get the children buzzing followed by 3 or 4 class workshops lasting between 45 minutes to an hour. Kev is also happy to take Gifted & Talented groups as part of this.
Feedback from Kev’s previous visits
“Kev Payne visited us today and everyone commented how good he was and the children loved it!”
Kingfield Primary School
“Kev Payne was outstanding. He expertly tailored sessions to suit the needs to the children, creating an engaging experience for all. Considering he was delivering the sessions on Zoom, I thought he did a fantastic job and his efforts were recognised by our Headteacher.”
Ravenscourt Park Prep
“Kev was fantastic and all the teachers were thrilled with him – he really engaged the children, activities were very appropriate – ALL VERY POSITIVE.”
Marlborough House School
“The visit from Kev was informative, fun and engaging! He delivered his talk with enthusiasm and the children thought he was hilarious. They definitely came away knowing a lot more about illustrators and authors, which was the purpose of his visit. Added to that, he allowed the children to be extremely creative during the activities he provided and I can definitely say that the children produced some of the best artwork I have seen them do. I think the fact they found Kev so engaging and fun to work with was one of the key reasons they paid so much attention and why the work he helped them produce was of such a high standard.
I would also like to say that the skills Kev taught the children have not been forgotten! When we completed an art lesson later in the week the children were all using the strategies that Kev had taught them and had clearly retained a lot of the information from his lessons.
Thanks for helping us to organise this visit.”
Landscore Primary School
Read about Kev and his author visits on his author page here
Interview with Kev Payne
When and why did you join Authors Abroad?
I joined Authors Abroad in 2018 when I left full-time teaching. I knew that I still wanted to work with children and Authors Abroad has a good reputation in working with a variety of authors. I’m so glad I did!
It has been a very unsettling and disruptive time recently. You managed to achieve something positive though. What sparked the idea for positive poetry project? How difficult was it to write something new every day and what difference do you hope it made?
The poetry project was a self-help project when I was struggling during lockdowns. I wanted to try and take back some control over my emotions and thought if I could give myself one positive thing to look forward to each day then that would help. I love playing with language and inventing a new form of poetry added an extra challenge and focus. The poems certainly made a difference for me and I have lad lots of messages from people who have followed along and found them useful. That has been a wonderful feeling.
Do you think enough people take time to look after their mental health? Is society beginning to realise the importance?
Times are changing and there is certainly more awareness and openness regarding mental health. Having high-profile people share their struggles has helped to remove some of the stigma around it. Whilst writing my poems I found so many useful articles and top tips to support our mental health.
When did you start drawing? Is it a natural skill to be nurtured or can anyone be an artist with enough practice?
I have drawn for as long as I can remember! My parents encouraged me with my artwork and gave me little projects like designing posters for their work etc. This helped me to see that my art had a purpose. I believe that we are all creative beings and can express ourselves in a variety of ways – drawing being one of them. With most skills it is more of a mindset that will help you to become more confident in drawing. With time, effort and help it is amazing what we can learn. I look back at my artwork from just a couple of years ago and can see improvement so letting children know that we’re always learning is a good thing. I have recently started taking illustration clubs after school which I really enjoy and try to help the children to see that you can draw so many things just using basic shapes!
What is the quirkiest thing someone has drawn on a school visit when you let young people unleash their imagination?
Crikey! I think one of my favourites has to be based on a poem of mine, ‘Cucumbers!’ where we play with words. This led to some children drawing Donald Trump as a pumpkin (Donald Trumpkin!)!
Do you miss being a teacher? Do you think that previous teaching experience helps form your school visits?
I enjoyed being a teacher but I adore my job now. As teaching is such a demanding profession I was finding myself frustrated as I never had time to work on my own projects. Now, I get to spend all of my days creating. It isn’t always easy but I love it. Being able to visit schools is such a joy and I feel lucky that I have a teaching background which gives me confidence when I go on a visit. Taking assemblies was never a problem so I’m equally comfortable in front of all groups from 10 to 1,000! I’ve even started taking my ukulele along for a sing song too so that’s fun. As an ex-teacher, I also like to think that it helps with the schools too as I can understand how schools work!
What has been your favourite moment from a school visit so far?
I really cannot pick. I am so happy and grateful to all of the schools who have booked me in. I love being able to visit different parts of the country, to meet so many engaging children and to work with fabulous teachers too. It has given me a new-found appreciation of how amazing schools are and all of the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes. I feel very lucky that I get to be a tiny snapshot in their school life.
Blobfish are becoming more mainstream and recognised, with all the research you did about unusual animals for B is for Blobfish, which animal would you say is your favourite?
Honey Badgers! Incredible creatures. One of my favourite memories as a child was watching animal documentaries with my parents and we still do! We all watched a documentary about honey badgers a few years ago and we all fell in love with them. Smart, grumpy, fearless – that’s the badgers, not my parents. I feel jealous because my folks have seen some up close when they went to South Africa. Maybe one day!
How much research does it take to produce one of your ‘gross and ghastly’ books? Do you retain the knowledge making you a good quiz partner and what weird and wonderful fact has stuck with you?
Researching my ‘Gross & Ghastly’ books was a dream. I spent several weeks thinking of the most disgusting questions I could think of and then watching TV and reading books to discover the answers. I love learning and found so many fascinating and disgusting facts. Some really stick out but I can always have a quick dip into one of my books and remind myself. One of the facts which has stuck with me is about the world’s longest poo which was ‘produced’ on a bowling alley as it was so long. Gross and Ghastly indeed.
Where do you get your ideas for poems from – is it writing when inspiration strikes or forcing yourself to stick to a schedule and write when needed?
Ideas for poems come from everywhere. Things that happened as a teacher or at home with kids. Sounds, seasons, memories, news stories – they really do come from everywhere and anywhere. I don’t set a time to write, the poems just seem to come to me at random times. This may explain why I have many written on the back of envelopes or typed into my phone. I have been known to get out of bed in the middle of the night to write them down before I forget!
How on earth does one get involved with being a town crier – is it a hobby or a second job?
My dad is a town crier so when the opportunity arose in my own town I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I’ve been doing it for 6 years now and it was actually a very good thing for me. I never had a problem talking in front of children but got nervous in front of adults. Now I’m a town crier, it has really given me confidence. My task now is to get people to call me ‘Your Cryness’. No takers yet.
Your art has led to some interesting opportunities and merchandise. Do you think the opportunities in the arts are overlooked?
Before leaving teaching I wrongly assumed that I would have to illustrate books to make a living. However, being an illustrator has led to so many incredible opportunities. Jigsaws, stickers, cards, games – some of my illustrations have even been turned into puppets! I used to worry that there wouldn’t be enough work as there are so many illustrators but it’s a bit like music, there are so many different artists out there you don’t just have to listen to one of them. My best advice would be to invest in yourself. Believe in yourself and put the effort in and see where it takes you. When I made the decision to leave teaching I stopped watching TV in the evenings and learned to develop my skills and understand the industry a little more. ‘Home Under the Hammer’ will still be available on catch-up if you’re missing it!
You also run Able Writers’ Days for us. What are the differences to running an author visit and what do participants get out of an Able Day?
Author Visits are interactive, engaging and fun experiences where I often get to work with most of the classes in school. I may focus on a particular poem or style and we write and perform a poem together. Able Writers’ Days allow for more time to study and develop ideas, with more time for me to explain my process and try to get children to connect with their own ideas and experiences. Also, new for this year, I have produced a very special book for these workshops meaning that children get to publish their very own poetry book in a day. They even get to design the cover and decide on a price!
What is the next project you have planned?
I’m working on a number of projects at the moment for a range of publishers all over the world which I am enjoying. I also have my own picture book called ‘Mole Wants a Hat’ that should be out this year which I am really excited about. I have several other stories to write but just waiting to find the time to do them!
As we start to open back up and in person visits replace virtual visits you’ll be back on the road again soon – I know you have a busy World Book Week. When it is safe to do so what place overseas would you love to visit?
I am open to visiting anywhere in the world. I adore learning and would love to see how schools work around the world. During my teaching career I was lucky enough to visit schools in France, Sweden, Poland and Italy so adding to that list would be great.
Quick Fire
Paperback or kindle?
Paperback
Would you prefer to be able to read minds or talk to animals?
Talk to animals
Which extinct animal would you bring back?
Tasmanian Tiger
Most difficult word to rhyme with?
Silver
What’s best – chocolate, cake or sweets?
chocolate
If you were Prime Minister for the day, what law would you introduce?
30 mins personal project time in schools. I’ve heard that Google give their staff some time to develop personal projects which they feel will develop them and benefit the company. I really believe that if children were given the skills and time to work on things they love then it could really make a positive impact.
Kev has celebrated being our February Artist of the Month by writing and illustrating a new poem!
Arrange for Kev Payne to visit your school
To make an enquiry about Kev, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please get in touch. Our office number is +44 (0) 1535 656015,
UK visits
Email: UKbookings@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Head of UK Visits, Yvonne - 01535 279850
Overseas Visits
Email:Overseasvists@caboodleboverseasvisits@caboodlebooks.co.ukooks.co.uk
Or contact Overseas Manager, Robin - +44(0) 1535 279853