AUTHOR PRESENTATIONS

I bring over twenty-five years of experience as an elementary school teacher to my readings and workshops. I have taught children in grades kindergarten to grade seven. I have strong communication skills with children and present material that is highly appropriate and of interest for the various age groups. I use a variety of visual aids in my readings and involve the children in role playing, imagination games, questioning and active listening.

THE ENCHANTED THEATER

Grades one to three
Max: 40 students
45 minutes

This author reading is an exciting way to introduce children to the Enchanted Theater series, a time travel fantasy series of four books written at a grade two level. Jeremy and the talking cat Aristotle travel back in time into the ancient Greek myths, solving riddles, overcoming obstacles and meeting all kinds of scary monsters. I engage the children by using colourful props, including Zeus’s sparkly lightening bolt, the stuffed cat Aristotle, the Enchanted Theater Rule Book and Jeremy’s backpack full of magic objects that Jeremy uses to help him in his adventures. The students enjoy brainstorming and role playing imaginative ways to use the objects which include a ship’s flare, a sling shot, a flashlight, a pair of wacky sunglasses, an intriguing map and a ball of colourful yarn. One child is selected to dress up in Jeremy’s ancient Greek tunic! The readings from the books are interspersed throughout the presentation and are short, have lots of action and are of high interest. Teachers have found this presentation to be a great springboard for starting a literature or social studies unit on mythology and ancient Greece. I include a hand out with twenty-one ideas for using the series in the classroom. The presentation highlights the books Jeremy and the Enchanted Theater, Jeremy in the Underworld, Jeremy and the Golden Fleece and the latest release Jeremy and the Fantastic Flying Machine.

VOICES FROM THE PAST

Grades three to seven
Max: 60 students
60 minutes

This author reading focuses on the Ellie and Max historical series and the juvenile novel Never To Be Told (nominated for the Hackmatack and Silver Birch Awards.) The presentation begins with a gripping true story excerpted from an 1800’s account of pioneer life in Upper Canada. This story was the seed that sparked the Ellie and Max series. I read passages of high interest and excitement from two of the books and show the students the importance of solid research when writing historical fiction. Students enjoy the opportunity to view real artifacts from the 1800’s. Never To Be Told melds an historical story and a contemporary story. The students are intrigued by a series of slides of an abandoned homestead on the ranch where I live, with tantalizing glimpses of a real ghost. A suspenseful excerpt read from the novel compliments the slide show and highlights the connection between ideas and writing.

YOUR VERY OWN BOOK

Grades 2 to 7
Max. 20 students
Minimum of six one hour sessions needed

This series of writing workshops guides students through the stages of writing including pre-writing webs and maps, drafts, revision and editing. I use hands on props and materials to spark imagination and ideas. By the end of the sessions, all the students produce a piece of writing that they can be proud of. When time permits and with parent help with the typing, this takes the form of a bound hard covered illustrated book.

COLOURFUL CHARACTERS

Grades 2 to 7
Max: 30 students
60 minutes

In this interactive writing workshop, I use exciting games, drama, role playing and guided imagery. Students develop character profiles as they learn how to bring their story characters to life. Topics include the one surprising thing about your character, the object your character could not bear to part with, the use of sensory details and how to give your hero a hard time.


FEES:

One hour presentation $250
Second hour $150
Full day in school $500