Below is just a small selection (yes, really!) of the very nice things that students, teachers and organisers have said about John’s school visits, workshops and residences. If you are considering inviting John along, you might want to read a few of these!

“Thank you very much for a wonderful day of storytelling. The girls enjoyed the performance and the workshops immensely. I feel inspired to go back to my own writing!”

Sian Evans, Head of English, Bedgebury School, Goudhurst

“Thankyou very much for the great performances and workshops you gave when you visited us. They really did bring poetry and storytelling alive for the children. I am sure they will remember your visit for some time to come. You made an excellent contribution to our Book Week.”

Jeni Metivier, English Coordinator, Barming Primary School

“The response was extremely positive and both students and parents found your talk fun as well as providing them with the encouragement to take reading and poetry further in their lives.”

Tina James, Librarian, Uplands Community College,

Wadhurst, East Sussex

“Thank you so much for a great day! Everyone really enjoyed it, kids and adults alike. The Literacy Inspector was so impressed with it all and mentioned in particular your high expectations of the kids.”

Linda Telfer, Laleham School for Dyslexic Children, Margate

“Many thanks for your superb performances at our school – they were enjoyed greatly by both pupils and staff! It was a joy to see the spellbound expressions on the children’s faces as they listened to your poems and stories.”

Alison Springate, South Avenue Junior School, Sittingbourne

“The reason why I am writing to you is to thank you for the wonderful lesson you gave. The part I most enjoyed was the poem about the cat and the food-mixer. The reason why I liked you was because we missed out on geography twice.”

Becky Lindsay, Astor of Hever School, Maidstone

“I was totally impressed by your energy and how much you managed to fit into the two days, and all with your special brand of originality, charm and humour. You will be pleased to know that I have had great feedback from all your events at all sort of levels – so your hard work was worthwhile and very much appreciated by all of us.”

Jane Streeter, Lowdham Book Festival, Nottingham

“Thanks again for making our first outreach day such a good one.”

Kathryn Ross, Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh

“Thank you so much for an excellent day. Your enthusiasm seems to have inspired the children and I know that the teachers were impressed with some of the results!”

Lindy Bates, Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst

“Thank you for what has been an inspirational day. Your enthusiasm can light the tiniest spark from any would-be poet.”

Rosemary Cranfield, Combe Bank School, Sundridge, Kent

“Thankyou for coming to our school and giving us such a good day of poetry, song, story and mime. The children and teachers were enthralled – you have an enviable gift!”

Mike Norcock, Headteacher,

Sidley Community Primary School, Bexhill

“(Your reading) cheered me up no end after a tedious and dispiriting morning of laboratory management!”

Nicolas Ketley, Microbiologist,

Queen Elizabeth NHS Hospital, Woolwich

“Thankyou for two marvellous days with us. The children were so excited by your visit and I was thrilled by their creative efforts.”

Jacky Rampall. St Lawrence College, Ramsgate

“We had a fabulous morning when you visited our school as part of National Poetry Day. We felt very privileged that our school was chosen to experience a real, live poet and your presentation to the infants was enthralling. I know the juniors had an equally stimulating time. The songs and poems you introduced the little ones to will be remembered and used for weeks to come!”

“It was a real joy to see the children have so much enthusiasm and energy from one person!”

Joy Gilbert and Mrs Bourlet, Kingsnorth Primary, Ashford

“John worked with each of our Year 7 classes individually in workshops, explaining the structure and techniques used in storytelling in a focused and relevant way. The standard of the workshops was excellent and enabled the pupils to dynamically become involved in another of the Year 7 Literacy Objectives which focuses on delivering stories and anecdotes to an audience…The girls thoroughly enjoyed this original way of experiencing another aspect of their syllabus.”

Lesley Lee, Head Teacher, Highworth School for Girls, Ashford

“I wasn’t sure whether I should become a writer, neither had I considered being a poet as I thought it out of my reach, but after the workshop I realised what my goal in life is.”

Syn Yin, 6th form student, Highworth School for Girls

“I’ve had many positive, encouraging comments from the children and staff. You were a smash hit and a definite on our “must have again” list!”

Gail Brundle, St Bede’s School, Eastbourne

“Yet again can I express my enthusiasm and gratitude for a wonderful session with John Rice last Thursday. All three of us were inspired! Charlotte and Georgia have not stopped talking about it since!”

Gill Brooks, after she and her daughters attended ‘Hilarious Histories’, a family storytelling evening in Sevenoaks Museum

“I hope you will be pleased to know that your poetry is an abiding childhood memory for me and, I am sure, for many others likewise.”

Simon Feraday, aged 29, who wrote to ask for a replacement copy of my first children’s book which he had treasured as a child and which his Mum had thrown out when purging his old bedroom!

“Thanks so much for your day at Herne Bay High School. We’ve been talking about it ever since. You were really inspiring and it was such an enjoyable day.”

Sue Aylward, English Dept., Herne Bay High School

“Thanks again for the fantastic work you did with our Year 7 students last week. You really enhanced their learning experience and have given a further push to our progress in literacy.”

Peter Beck, Deputy Head, Astor College for the Arts, Dover

“The children have been truly inspired…so many parents have told me how much their children gained from your visit.”

Anne Moir, Seal CEP School, near Sevenoaks

“Wow! What an impact you made! Thank you so much for visiting Amherst – you really were the icing on the (Book Week) cake. The children are still buzzing and I have had lovely comments from both staff and parents.”

Natalie Brown, Amherst Junior School, Sevenoaks

“Thank you so much for the inspiring and creative Oral Tradition workshop you delivered at our school on Monday. It was so lovely to have an author visit where the children hardly get to sit down and don’t have to write anything to learn! The fast pace and activities were well suited to our children’s needs and the performance of work at the end of the day just showed how much the children gained from the time that they had with you. I will definitely recommend you to colleagues in the borough, particularly because of your enthusiasm and great way with the children. Thank you again!”

Kate Wood, Literacy Leader, Cheam Fields Primary School,                                    Cheam, Surrey

“Just a quick note to say a big thank you for such a brilliant day yesterday!!!

I have had a lot of positive feedback from teachers, children and parents. As a class we have had great fun sharing your poems and writing stories about Giant Gorbelly.”
Sally Toll, Wadhurst Primary School, East Sussex

“The two workshops with Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 were excellent. The teachers are still raving about them and this week they will continue the work that you started with the children.”

Linda Garrett, Hilden Oaks School, Tonbridge

“The 4^th October 2007 was my third National Poetry Day with John. The children were mesmerised every time, as he wove his unique web of words and song. His inimitable style reaches every child.”

Jancis Clegg, Glendower Prep School, Kensington, London

“It was both inspiring & charming to hear the fruits of your family writing workshops over recent months. The standard of work was excellent and worthy of publication, and everyone was having such fun showcasing their work. I hope that Sedbergh Festival of Books & Drama will continue to promote these kinds of inter-generational events that promote participation and collaboration in the community.”

Jane Sparrow-Niang

Extended Services Cluster Co-ordinator, Dent-Kirkby Lonsdale-Sedbergh

Children & Families Services, Cumbria County Council

“The girls really enjoyed your workshop – they found it entertaining and useful which is a perfect combination.”

Nicola Gatrell

Casterton School for Girls, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria