School VisitUpcoming
Brent Libraries
A fun event with pupils from Ark Franklin Academy. A workshop session for the children to meet Jake, his family and his friends from Maple Street.
Events
With over thirty years in Primary education — as a teacher, headteacher, and adviser — I have plenty of experience of working with, and talking to, children and adults. I love sharing my stories with children, the writing process I go through, and helping them to realise that they have exciting stories, themselves, to tell and to write.
School visits, book festivals, author talks, and more. If you'd like to invite Michael to your school or event, do get in touch.
Enquire about an eventUpcoming Events
School VisitUpcoming
Next Page Books
A visit to William Ransom Primary School to share stories about Jake, and his family and friends, from Maple Street.
School VisitUpcoming
Brent Libraries
An event with pupils from Wembley Primary School. A chance for the children to meet Jake, his family and his friends from the Maple Street series, in a workshop session.
EventUpcoming
Bookshop event - The Book Nook, Bookshop
The Book Nook, Brighton
A fun day at the wonderful bookshop, The Book Nook, in Brighton, with the amazing Shanarama, illustrator of the Maple Street Series. A chance to share some of Jake's adventures from the latest book in the Maple Street series, 'Jake Takes Charge' with some very enthusiastic children, and to lead them in some colourful, creative art activities.
School VisitUpcoming
Kimbolton School
A pleasure and a privilege to spend time with the amazing students of Kimbolton School. Time was spent in a workshop activity discussing the idea of 'belonging' and what that meant for the students. I was also able to lead an assembly for the students where I explored the idea of feeling that you belong to the world of reading, and the challenges presented by the limited representation of racially minoritised characters in fiction and non-fiction books.
School VisitUpcoming
Westdene Primary School
It was great to be able to be part of Westdene Primary School's book week celebrations. Alongside the wonderful Shanarama, illustrator of the Maple Street series, we were able to share some of Jake's adventures from 'Jake in the Middle.' The children were a delight and asked some great questions about illustrating and writing.
Book FestivalUpcoming
Brighton Children's Book Festival
It was great to be able to share the stage at the Brighton Family Book Festival with the wonderful Patrice Lawrence (Waterstone's Children's Laureate). We got to share some stories with a very full room of enthusiastic children and adults. I was able to read one of my SuperJoe stories — SuperJoe Does Not Do Cuddles, as well as a story from 'Jake in the Middle,' the first book in the Maple Street series.
Past Events
School Visit
Brent Libraries
A fun event with pupils from Ark Franklin Academy. A workshop session for the children to meet Jake, his family and his friends from Maple Street.
School Visit
Next Page Books
A visit to William Ransom Primary School to share stories about Jake, and his family and friends, from Maple Street.
School Visit
Brent Libraries
An event with pupils from Wembley Primary School. A chance for the children to meet Jake, his family and his friends from the Maple Street series, in a workshop session.
Event
Bookshop event - The Book Nook, Bookshop
The Book Nook, Brighton
A fun day at the wonderful bookshop, The Book Nook, in Brighton, with the amazing Shanarama, illustrator of the Maple Street Series. A chance to share some of Jake's adventures from the latest book in the Maple Street series, 'Jake Takes Charge' with some very enthusiastic children, and to lead them in some colourful, creative art activities.
School Visit
Kimbolton School
A pleasure and a privilege to spend time with the amazing students of Kimbolton School. Time was spent in a workshop activity discussing the idea of 'belonging' and what that meant for the students. I was also able to lead an assembly for the students where I explored the idea of feeling that you belong to the world of reading, and the challenges presented by the limited representation of racially minoritised characters in fiction and non-fiction books.
School Visit
Westdene Primary School
It was great to be able to be part of Westdene Primary School's book week celebrations. Alongside the wonderful Shanarama, illustrator of the Maple Street series, we were able to share some of Jake's adventures from 'Jake in the Middle.' The children were a delight and asked some great questions about illustrating and writing.
It was a pleasure to welcome Michael Catchpool and Shanarama to our school as part of our Book Week celebrations. Their Jake in the Middle sessions were engaging, thoughtfully planned and perfectly pitched for our Years 1–3 pupils.
Michael's experience working in schools really shone through in his expressive storytelling and the way he involved children through questions and discussion. Together, Michael and Shana gave pupils a fascinating insight into the process of writing and illustrating a book, making both feel exciting and achievable.
They were incredibly friendly, approachable and clearly passionate about their work. The sessions were a wonderful opportunity for our children to meet the people behind a book and discover how stories and illustrations are brought together. We would happily recommend them to other primary schools!
Book Festival
Brighton Children's Book Festival
It was great to be able to share the stage at the Brighton Family Book Festival with the wonderful Patrice Lawrence (Waterstone's Children's Laureate). We got to share some stories with a very full room of enthusiastic children and adults. I was able to read one of my SuperJoe stories — SuperJoe Does Not Do Cuddles, as well as a story from 'Jake in the Middle,' the first book in the Maple Street series.