Gillian Richardson

2011 Silver Birch non-fiction nominee

Authors' Booking Service is pleased to announce that children's author Gillian Richardson is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools in May 2011 to coincide with the Forest of Reading festivities.   

Her rate is $250 per session, $650 for full day (3 sessions).

No travel charges within the GTA. Due to her unfamiliarity with the area, a driver/escort might be required, or detailed public transit instructions from downtown TO are appreciated when confirming bookings. For travel outside the GTA, car rental and accommodation costs may apply.

Gillian grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and is a former Teacher-Librarian. She is an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and also reviews children’s books. She currently has 16 published books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has published numerous articles and short stories in children’s magazines such as KNOW and CRICKET. Her writing is aimed at young readers from 7-14.

Here’s what Julia Cox, Youth Services Librarian at Penticton Public Library had to say about Gillian’s presentation:

“It was great to have an author with such a diverse writing background. Gillian was able to talk about the different challenges of writing nonfiction, novels, picture books and magazine articles. One of the most interesting parts of her talk concerned the size of an idea…she maintained opportunities for participation and offered lots of visuals.”

Reviews of her latest book, Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds:

“With comic-style sound-effect headings and fact boxes galore, Kaboom! highlights the supercharged of the natural and manmade worlds, from astronomy, geology, biology, herbology, and entomology to chemistry, mechanics, pyrotechnics, and art…. Kaboom! is an engrossing attention-getter, effectively tapping the sensationalism of all types of blasts.” School Library Journal

“Packed with information and illustrated with many color photos, this book looks at the causes and effects of explosions…. Fun for browsing…” Booklist

Published Work

Nonfiction

Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds. Annick, 2009

Machu Picchu. Weigl, 2009

Mountain Extremes. Crabtree, 2008

Hiking. Weigl, 2007

Henry Kelsey. Weigl, 2006.

Dan Gutman. Weigl, 2005.

Ecosystems: Species, Spaces and Relationships. Weigl, 2004

Saskatchewan. Lerner,1995.

Fiction

A Friend for Mr. Granville. Scholastic, 2007

Bryce, on Track. Scholastic, 2006

Ragdoll Rescue. Scholastic, 2006

Ants Belong Outside. Scholastic, 2006.

Too Ba-a-d! Scholastic, 2005.

The Migration of Robyn Birchwood. Nimbus, 1991.

One Chance to Win. Ragweed Press, 1986.

Awards & Recognition

Ontario Library Association, Silver Birch Nonfiction Award 2011 nominee:

Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds

2011 Alberta Rocky Mountain Book Award nominee:

Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds

Canadian Children's Book Centre, Best Books for Children and Teens 2010:

Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds

Our Choice Selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre: A Friend for Mr. Granville

Our Choice Selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre: Saskatchewan

Our Choice Selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre: One Chance to Win

SWG Literary Award, 1993: "The Great Goose Round-Up"

Presentation Details

Many youngsters think only of ‘stories’ and ‘books’ when they think about what authors do. I like to make them aware of writing for magazines too, with a focus on nonfiction.

My goal is to motivate students to recognize:

* that each of us has a unique, personal gold mine of ideas

* ideas from our memories, knowledge, emotions come alive with imagination

* the enjoyment and value of reading and writing.

Ideas are at the centre of all writing, so I ask children to share how they choose ideas for their own writing. I show/tell examples of my ideas that were “not big enough to become books”, and those “big ideas that did become books”, and discuss how a writer decides the best way to use an idea.

For readings that coincide with the Silver Birch Award celebrations, I’ll focus on my nominated book. My PowerPoint presentation examines several of the exciting topics included in Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds, including a 4 minute video of one historical explosion. Hear about the research challenges, and about the writing and editing process for this book. Find out some of the amazing facts that didn’t make it into the book.

If time permits, I like to finish by sharing a picture book based on a personal experience.

Grades I will present to: Grades 3 to 8  

Is this flexible? No, since my books are aimed at these age groups.   

Maximum number of students per session: 60 students is ideal. 

Is this flexible? Depending on the venue, up to 80 is acceptable for some interaction.  

Venues you’re comfortable in:  Library, classroom, but no gymnasiums.   

Is this flexible? I will consider your school’s needs.

List any equipment or other requirements you have: chair, table, digital projector and screen suitable for PowerPoint presentation using my own laptop.

I require a teacher’s presence throughout the presentation for supervision. As well, kids pick up on this indication of your interest, and your attendance will enable you to do follow-up to maximize the students’ experience.