Introducing the Author Project: Bringing Stories into Schools

At Supply Desk, we’re always looking for ways to support schools beyond staffing.

The Author Project is a new initiative built around that idea, offering free, author-led sessions for schools, designed to bring storytelling, creativity, and conversation into the classroom.

It’s a bit different and something we’ve been excited to share.

Meet the author behind the project

The Author Project is led by Sian, a children’s author with a background as a Teaching Assistant and family support worker.

She has worked across Early Years, Primary, and SEN settings, supporting children in understanding and expressing how they feel, something that directly shaped both her book and the sessions she now delivers in schools.

“The biggest theme I saw… was that children really struggled with their emotions and how to process them, and they didn’t think what they were feeling was normal.”

That idea sits quietly at the heart of her work, helping children feel more comfortable with what they’re feeling, without turning it into a lesson.

The story: Archie’s Big Adventure

At the centre of the session is Sian’s book, Archie’s Big Adventure.

It follows a young boy on his first holiday, navigating airports, new surroundings, different routines, and all the excitement and uncertainty that comes with it.

“Even as adults, we get anxious about new experiences… and for children, everything is a first.”

With the help of Dex the dinosaur, Archie works through those moments in a way that feels familiar, gentle, and reassuring.

It’s a story children can recognise themselves in.

What the session looks like

Each visit is designed to feel relaxed, engaging, and easy to follow.

It includes:

• A live reading of the story

• Time for questions and conversation

• A short, child-friendly workshop exploring the Zones of Regulation: happy, sad, worried, and angry

• Simple ideas children can take away and use day to day

It’s designed to fit naturally into the school day, whether as part of a PSHE session, a wellbeing focus, or simply something different for pupils to experience.

How it’s been received in schools

Early feedback from schools has been really positive, particularly around how engaged pupils are during the session.

“They were really engaged. They wanted to ask questions straight away and find out more.” 

There’s also a clear sense that the delivery feels familiar and accessible to pupils:

“You can tell she’s worked in schools. The way she delivers it is exactly what the children are used to.” 

For many schools, there’s an added benefit in linking the experience back to reading:

“It’s really nice for children to meet an author and make that connection between the book and the person behind it.” 

Why we wanted to create it

This project came from a simple place.

We work closely with schools every day, and we know how important it is to create environments where children feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.

Sometimes that comes from great teaching.

Sometimes from the right support staff.

And sometimes, from something as simple as a story that resonates.

“I would 100% recommend the session to other schools. Understanding behaviour and emotions is really important, especially now, and this gives children that awareness in a way they can engage with. It also links really well to what we’re already doing around reading, helping children make that connection between the author and the book.”

Millbrook Combined School