“Mike Nicholson is one of our favourite author events. I organise author events on a big scale, often bringing along 400 children, each of which Mike expertly manages to engage and involve throughout the event. The hour is a good mix of interesting and helpful creative writing facts often injected with humour, and much enjoyed by both children and staff. His Museum Mystery Squad books are extremely popular, along with Grimm and Catscape which appeal to the slightly older reader. We look forward to continue working with Mike on future events.”
– Gill Peters, ESMS (Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools) Primary4-7 Librarian

“Most importantly, Mike demonstrated an awareness that each child in his writing group required a different level of support in enable to succeed. Their engagement and enjoyment of the masterclass was clear to see and I’m confident we will have more children writing 50 word stories in the future!”
– Dave Thompson, teaching staff, Wardie Primary School after  Masterclass Creative Writing small group event

“Mike visited our pre school to read his new story ‘The Giant Who Snored’. The children loved his input as he involved them in several ways. In the 40 minute session he not only read his book but managed to include some drama, rhyming games, two lovely songs, a snore classifying task, and most fun of all a case full of ideas of how to stop a snorer! The pitch was perfect for our age range and I would strongly recommend other nurseries to invite him along!”
– Kyra Okoth, Teacher/Manager, Greenbank Pre School, Edinburgh

“Thank you very much for your sessions at the Dick Institute last week. As a result of your talk the class are planning to come back to the museum to find artefacts as the basis for their own stories – it was great to hear that your visit has given such inspiration to the class and the teachers.”
– Rosie Milligan, Library Programmes Officer, East Ayrshire

“Mike was fantastic with the children and a gentle giant himself! The story is fantastic, especially the rhyming throughout. We all loved the catchy songs and can’t wait to download the audio book. He was very interactive and the props added so much to the telling of the story…..the overall experience was great fun and very age appropriate…would 100% invite him back.”
– Comments from staff at Bonnington House Nursery after a ‘Giant Who Snored’ event!

“We thought the whole ‘event’ was pitched at just the right level for nursery aged children….you had the children fully engaged as well as involved through the lovely activities. The songs were lovely, simple and catchy. It was wonderful to have someone in our nursery, reading their own book, not something that happens every day! Simple, but very effective entertainment – who needs flashing screens and gimmicks – good books, like The Giant who Snored, really are the best entertainment. A treat for staff and children – we all laughed and snored along with the Giant!”
– Comments from staff at Edzell Nursery after a ‘Giant Who Snored’ event!

“It was wonderful working with Mike on our recent author residency with primary schools in Cumbernauld. Mike has a natural talent for engaging with children and getting them excited about writing – even reluctant writers. It was great to see a group of pupils so enthusiastic about telling their stories, and excited about seeing the final product.”
– Catherine Jones, Creative Learning Manager, Edinburgh International Book Festival

“Events with Mike are full of laughter, song, games and great story telling.”
– Alice Watson, Kirkcaldy Waterstones

“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for your [Museum Mystery Squad] session yesterday. We had such great feedback from teachers and pupils after it and we all really enjoyed it too!”
– Sarah Cowie, Learning Officer (Schools), National Museum of Scotland

“Your [Museum Mystery Squad] talk today was fantastic, the children were absolutely delighted and we received some great feedback from the parents!”
– Bragela Hornal, Education Officer, Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, Dunfermline

“It was absolutely brilliant! The children were so excited and loved it! It was so well pitched for the age and the interaction and active participation was excellent. Great for them to get a better understanding of Scots words and rhyming.”
– Corrie Dougall, P2/3 Teacher, Dunkeld Primary School (used Thistle Games as part of a Games and Gatherings topic)

“The pupils thoroughly enjoyed Mike’s visit which led to writing their own version of ‘Gruesome Gladiator’. They were truly inspired to become creative writers.”
– Miss Ross, Lauder Primary School

“Thank you very much for such a cracking event (West Lothian Schools Festival) on Tuesday! The kids really loved it and we’ve had some very good feedback indeed from schools.”
– Sally Pattle, Far From the Madding Crowd Bookshop, Linlithgow 

“Mike’s visit to our school was a highlight of our Reading Week.  His sessions on what makes a reader keep on reading were pitched perfectly for children in P4 & P5 and then P6 & P7 (and staff loved them too!)  He shared with us how much he loved to read and the stories he enjoyed as a child.   He then inspired the children to write with challenges and then supported this creative process by visiting classes and spending time with the children.  A great experience for all of us!”                                              
– Karen MacGregor, Headteacher, Queensferry Primary School

“What an exciting day! 4B are absolutely thrilled with the story. It almost got to fever pitch when I asked which ideas they recognised! (after Story in 60 Minutes session)”
– Janis MacDonald, Teacher, Kings Meadow Primary, Haddington

“Dear Mike, When we were at the library it was really fun and I never knew it could be at a library! I never knew writing could be fun as well but since you showed us how you done it I’ve been doing a lot more at school and at home! I have been doing ok stories but I’m going to keep going over it like you had to to be a proper author obviously I amn’t but one day who knows. Thank you for making writing more fun for me.”
– Pupil from St. John’s Primary, Portobello