Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that
children’s author Frank B. Edwards, is now
scheduling visits to schools in Ontario and across Canada for the
coming school year.
Frank is the author of 24 children’s books including the
biography, Robert Munsch: Larger than Life, nominated
for the 2010 Silver Birch Award. He has been visiting about 50 schools
a year since 1999 which means he has presented to about 100,000
students.
Frank lives in the Kingston area and will be happy to plan a
visit to your school or library anywhere in Canada. He loves to travel!
A half day visit (two one-hour presentations) costs $500 plus gst. A
full day visit (four one-hour presentations) costs $900 plus gst.
Standard kilometrage and travel costs apply.
To help prepare students and teachers for his visits, he
provides a “preview collection” of 10 of his books (for grades one
through six) at half price.
Frank 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 a visit. Contact us for details of this
program.
Frank has travelled to nearly every province visiting
schools, including Labrador and the Northwest Territories, and can
present to all grades from one through high school. Here is what some
schools have said about his visits:
“… Frank’s presentation was both
professional and entertaining. His visit made a strong impression on my
students who are children in a “turn around” school that is focusing on
bringing the joy of reading to disadvantaged students.
“I highly recommend
him...”
Maya Jagger, Deseronto Public School
“…His presentations to our Grade One
and Grade Two classes are always
a huge hit!!! Not only does he inspire
our students to become authors, he also
creates a spark in them that can be
seen when they pick up one of his many
wonderful books… It’s a presentation
that the students don’t forget…
“Having the opportunity to meet a Canadian author is
something that
all children should have.”
Victoria
White, Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary
“Our board has been privileged to have
Frank B. Edwards visit each and every one of the schools in our
jurisidiction… Our school principals collectively said that he was the
best author to have ever visited their schools…
“Children are drawn to Frank's gifted approach. He seems to know how to
tap into their imagination by helping them draw from their own
experiences in an effort to understand how stories develop.”
P. Toffanello, Director of
Education, Northeastern Catholic DSB
________________________________________________________________
Published Works:
Robert Munsch, larger than life – a biography
(Fitzhenry Whiteside, 2009) *
*Silver Birch nominee – non
fiction 2010
Bug: The Adventures of Bug and
Frogger II
(Pokeweed Press, 2007)
The Greatest Zoo on Earth (Pokeweed
Press, 2000)
Frogger: The Adventures of Bug and
Frogger I
(Pokeweed Press, 2000) *
*Silver Birch
nominee – fiction 2001
Robin Hood with Lots of Dogs (Pokeweed
Press, 1999)
Treasure Island with Lots of Dogs (Pokeweed
Press, 1999)
Snug as a Big Red Bug (Pokeweed
Press, 1999)
A Crowded Ride in the Countryside
(Pokeweed Press, 1999)
Nightgown Countdown ( Pokeweed
Press, 1999)
Troubles with Bubbles (Bungalo
Books, 1998)
New at the Zoo (Bungalo Books,
1998)
Is the Spaghetti Ready? (Bungalo
Books, 1998)
Peek a boo at the Zoo (Bungalo
Books, 1997)
The Zookeeper’s Sleepers (Bungalo
Books, 1997)
Downtown Lost and Found (Bungalo
Books, 1997)
Melody Mooner Takes Lessons (Bungalo
Books, 1996)
Mortimer Mooner Makes Lunch (BungaloBooks,
1995)
A Dog Called Dad (Bungalo
Books, 1994)
Ottawa: A Kid’s Eye View (Bungalo
Books, 1993)
Grandma Mooner Lost Her Voice (Bungalo
Books, 1992)
Close Up: Microscopic Photographs
of Everyday Stuff
(Bungalo, 1992)
Snow: Learning For The Fun Of It (Bungalo
Books, 1992)
Melody Mooner Stayed Up All Night (Bungalo
Books,1991)
Mortimer Mooner Stopped Taking a
Bath (Bungalo Books, 1990)
Awards and Nominations
Silver Birch Fiction Nominee 2010
Silver Birch Fiction Nominee 2001
Frank’s Presentation Details:
My presentations are fast-paced and fun, filled with readings
from my stories as well as inspirational personal anecdotes and
interesting insights into the writing process. I use a colourful slide
show so that everyone can easily see the illustrations, photographs and
story boards that are being discussed. It keeps the audience focussed
no matter what size the group.
I use my own picture books as examples, illustrating how
stories are built on ideas – revealing the importance of colourful
characters with interesting problems that need creative solutions. I
talk about the need for multiple drafts and the careful checking of
work. Then I show how illustrator John Bianchi and I blend art and
words together and carefully plan the final layout.
Two of my most important messages are:
- A writer’s most valuable tool is his or her imagination
- Everyone has a story to tell, no matter where they live
There is usually time for a question and answer at the end.
Also, I bring a collection of affordable books with me – discounted to
$5 each – and autograph them for teachers and students.
Grades I will present to: Grades one to eight. (Also
parent groups, teachers and high school students.)
Is this flexible? Yes. In addition to my regular
presentations, I can also do writing workshops (grades four to eight)
and a presentaion about international literacy. These must be arranged
well ahead of the visit as they require planning and preparation.
Maximum number of students per session: 50 –
125 is typical but I can do larger groups too if there are audio
resources.
Is this flexible? Yes, I am very adaptable.
Preferred Venues: Gym, library, classroom, auditorium.
I am comfortable in all settings. My main consideration is that the
space can be darkened as I use a multimedia projector and laptop to
illustrate my talks.
Equipment and other requirements:
- I bring my own laptop and multimedia projector.
- I need an AV cart about four feet in height.
- A screen or suitable projection surface.
- A suitable extension cord with at least two plugs.
- Drinking water.
