Virtual School Visit on World Book Day with Philippa Gregory

Schools are invited to join us (free of charge) online for a very special virtual event on World Book Day with award-winning author, Philippa Gregory as she is joined by author, Katherine Woodfine to present her critically acclaimed book, Normal Women: Making History for 900 Years.

Recommended age: 12+ / years 7-9

Today, when we think of women of the past, we often think of the 1800s and 1900s – crinolines and stagecoaches, bonnets and balls – a time when women were told they were naturally inferior to men and must stay at home while men went out to work and have fun.

HUGE MISTAKE! There is so much more to women’s history than bonnets and big dresses! Ordinary women have been doing extraordinary things FOR EVER – it just didn’t make the history books (written by men!).

During this 45-minute interactive schools’ event, Philippa and Katherine will talk about the women missing from the historical record. The almost infinite variety of ‘normal women’ – whose extraordinary lives were normal for their time. We’ll meet farmers, highwaywomen, pirates, ‘female husbands’, slaves, soldiers, criminals, writers, inventors, rioters and more. Women who were powerful and effective, adapting to whatever society demands whatever their circumstances. Women – protesting, working, playing, taking risks, getting rich (and getting even!). Normal Women are there is you look for them and their story is one of ingenuity, diversity, rebellion, survival – and sisterhood.

Philippa Gregory is famous world-wide for her historical novels like The Other Boleyn Girl - which was made into a movie - and The White Queen which was adapted for television.  She wrote the Princess Rules series for younger readers about a princess who writes her own royal rules - and she has published a Young Adult series called The Order of Darkness.  

Katherine Woodfine is the author of more than 15 books for children, including the Sinclair’s Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series. Her first published novel, The Clockwork Sparrow, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was nominated for numerous awards. 

Waterstones Virtual Author Visits are the perfect opportunity to encourage reading for pleasure, introducing children to new books as well as fabulous author & illustrators, and to help inspire a love of reading even in the most reluctant readers. 

Taking place on Zoom, this 45-minture webinar session will include a live presentation from the author, giving students the chance to hear about the authors book, career and experiences. There will also be a chance for children to have their questions answered live during the event!

Often pupils are very inspired to read the author’s book after the event, so we have created a special discount on Normal Women: Making History for 900 Years, for school account orders. Schools can save 30% on single copy or a class set by contacting [email protected]. Copies of the book can also be purchased at £9.00 (RRP £10.99 – incl. P&P) using the link below between now and the event on Thursday 6th March.

Once you register with your email address, you’ll be sent a Zoom link to the webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]