Andrew Larsen

Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that author Andrew Larsen is now scheduling visits in the Greater Toronto Area. 
 
Andrew would be delighted to visit to your school or library. His rate is $250 per session, or $350 for an entire morning. Andrew has been known to visit with an entire school in a single morning. Andrew is a morning person. He doesn’t drive but if there’s a way to get to your school or library via public transport he’ll find it! 
  
Andrew’s book, The Imaginary Garden, has been recognized both nationally and internationally.

Here’s what Teacher-Librarian Pina Rocha of Ernest Public School in North York has to say about this author:  
  
“Andrew Larsen’s presentations are full of contagious positive energy!! He has visited our school three years in a row and all of our JK-Gr.6 students thoroughly enjoyed his visits. He tailored his presentations to the ages/interests of each group and he kept everyone engaged! He even signs autographs!

His inspiring message rings clear: ANYONE can be an author!!”   
  
Published Works

The Imaginary Garden, Kids Can Press, 2009

Bella and the Bunny, Kids Can Press, 2007 

Awards and Nominations

For The Imaginary Garden

• Short-listed for the Governor General’s Literary Award, 2009, Children’s Illustration
• Short-listed for Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award, 2010
• Outstanding International Book Honor List, USBBY, 2010
• Short-listed for the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, 2010

For Bella and the Bunny

• Resource Links Best of 2007

Andrew’s Presentation Details

Grades JK – 3: (approximately 40 minutes) I talk about the similarity between playing and writing. I engage the students in recognizing how we are surrounded by ideas that are just waiting to grow into stories. I show them the process through which ideas grow into stories. I do a little show and tell to illustrate the process as the story moves from journal to manuscript to published book. I do a few rudimentary writers’ exercises with the students. I even do a little magic. Then I read. I encourage questions.

Grades 4, 5 and 6: (approximately 50 minutes) I begin by telling the students that a story is a story is a story. The essence of a picture book is the same as that of a chapter book. I try to instill the sense that we all have stories to tell and that it’s important that we tell them. I speak of the challenges of writing and illustrate some of these challenges by reading a work in progress. This is a great way to engage the students and to get them talking about the creative process. It’s also a great way to show them the joys of writing. Finally, I read and encourage questions.

For me, school and library visits are one of the best parts of being an author. The students that I meet are a constant source of inspiration.

I will present to:

Grades JK - 6.

I will happily present to any number of students. I have presented to as few as 2 and as many as 250.

I will present in a classroom, library, gym or any other place that you can think of.

I also offer: 

Presentations for Literacy Nights

I require: