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Cary Fagan

Author’s Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author Cary Fagan is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year. 

Cary would love to plan a visit to your school or library.  His rate is $300 for one session, $550 for two, $800 for three, and $950 for four. There is no travel charge within the GTA.  For travel outside the GTA the standard kilometrage applies. 

Cary is a member of the Writers’  Union of Canada, and so schools wishing to invite him may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to offset the cost of his visit.  Contact us for details of this program. 

Here is what Reisa Smiley Schneider, Cultural Arts Director of the Jewish Community of Greater Vancouver, has to say about Cary’s presentation: 

He is a joy to work with, not only a great children’s author but a fabulous presenter as well.  He keeps the students’ attention from the moment they enter the room until the end of the session. 

Published works

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas Tundra Books 2009

Ten Lessons For Kaspar Snit Tundra Books 2008

Thing-Thing Tundra Books 2008

Mr. Karp’s Last Glass Groundwood Books 2008

My New Shirt Tundra Books 2007

Ten Old Men and a Mouse Tundra Books 2007

Directed by Kaspar Snit Tundra Books 2007

The Fortress of Kaspar Snit Tundra Books 2004

Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina’s Life (with Chan Hon Goh) Tundra Books 2002

Daughter of the Great Zandini Tundra Books 2001

The Market Wedding Tundra Books 2000

Gogol’s Coat Tundra Books 1998 

Awards and Nominations 

Ten Lessons For Kaspar Snit Silver Birch Award Nominee 2010 

Thing-Thing TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award Finalist

                     Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Finalist

                    Best Book of the Year, Globe and Mail

                    Best Book of the Year, Quill & Quire

                    A Best and First Book, Toronto Public Library

Beyond the Dance Norma Fleck Award Finalist 

My New Shirt Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Finalist

                       Blue Spruce Award Nominee 

Directed by Kaspar Snit Silver Birch Award Nominee 2008 

Daughter of the Great Zandini Mr. Christie Silver Medal 

The Fortress of Kaspar Snit Silver Birth Honour Book 

The Market Wedding Canadian Jewish Book Award

                                   Sydney Taylor Honour Book 

Cary’s Presentation Details 

*My presentations vary according to the age of the audience, whether the kids  have been prepared for the visit, and the length of time that I have.  As well, the book that is presently a focus of the presentation is a factor.  For example, because one of my recent books contains some song lyrics, I sometimes teach a song (most appropriate for earlier grades).   

*I like to give kids an insight into the writing process, hoping to encourage their own story-making.  I begin by talking about where ideas come from, from adapting an old story to taking a real incident from my childhood and turning it into fiction.  I talk about the experience of writing itself; for example, kids are always amazed to learn that I wrote one of my picture books, set in 19^th century Russia, in a Tim Horton’s donut shop. 

*On some visits I bring visual aids.  For example, when talking about Thing-Thing, a story about a stuffed animal, I bring my own childhood rabbit.  I may bring a homemade banjo with me for Banjo of Destiny presentations.

*Because I believe that learning to articulate what you think and feel is important for everyone, I want to encourage kids to create their own works–in words, pictures, theatrical presentations etc.  For that reason I emphasize the liberating, exciting aspects of writing.  However, I’m also very candid about the difficulties of being a writer–both the writing and the financial challenges.   

*Of course a reading is always part of my presentation.  I am careful not to read too long–usually ten to fifteen minutes.  On longer visits I may read a second work.  Quite often I will read from an unpublished manuscript so that the kids will realize that books don’t magically appear but simply start with words on a page.  

*I try to use humour to engage the kids.  I love questions and take them seriously.  When a well-prepared class comes with many questions, I’ll stop periodically for Q&A sessions to be sure to get many of them in.  I may even use questions as a way to organize a presentation as it progresses.  Every group is a little different and I try to be as responsive as I can.  I want the kids to get as much out of the presentation as possible. 

Grades I will present to: K-6.
(I can also do a modified program for JK. Ask me about this)

Presentations work best when the audience age range is not too great.  (In other words, it’s best not to have grade 1s and grade 6s at the same presentation).  While Ks are a little young, some schools like to include them when I do a presentation to grades 1-3. 

Maximum number of students per session:

I leave this up to the school.  While I much prefer a more intimate setting (from a single class up to 80 or 100 kids), I have successfully spoken to gymnasiums full of kids (with a microphone!). 

I am comfortable in all settings. 

No equipment needed. 

Although I prefer working without a microphone, a gymnasium setting or very large group may require one.