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Janet Wilson

Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that award winning children’s author and illustrator, Janet Wilson is now scheduling visits in Ontario schools for this school year. 

Janet would love to plan a visit to your school or library. The minimum fee for a one-hour presentation is $300.00, two readings are $500.00 and four readings are $925.00, plus HST, plus standard mileage from Eden Mills, near Guelph, Ontario.  Janet belongs to The Writers’ Union of Canada which provides subsidies to presentation hosts.

Janet Wilson is inspiring young hearts and minds to create a better world. Through the power of stories—true stories—of children from Canada and around the world who have made a difference, Janet’s presentations are motivating students of all ages to “be the change they wish to see in the world”. Here are some testimonials:

“It was the words of Canadian author Janet Wilson that first inspired 7-year old Arjun to help his community. She visited our school...and told us that we could make a difference in the world. So, I decided to raise money for the hospital.” Yellowknife, NWT

“After your presentation, my friend and I were discussing how you inspired us. I want to write a book and be one of those children in your books who have made a difference.  Vidhi Kochhar,

“Thank you for your wonderful presentation…I’m sure you have inspired more than a few young minds today.” D. Kotsalis –Social Justice teacher New Westminster Secondary , BC

“Absolutely wonderful.  We came back to class and had a discussion and I can't begin to tell you how much you inspired them. I wish you could hear the impact that your presentation has made .” Amanda Mag-iba, Teacher, David Leeder MS,

“You have contributed greatly to our school's efforts to create an outward look and a feeling that students can create change. I still can't believe how engaged the older students were!” Andrea Tufts , Teacher/Librarian , Carleton Village P. S.

Shannen and the Dream for a School, Second Story Press, Kids Power Series, is a fictionalized account of the true story of Shannen Koostachin, from Attawapiskat First Nation, and her grade eight classmates’ Students-Helping-Students campaign to have their temporary portables replaced by a real school, after their old school was contaminated by a fuel oil spill. Shannen made a YouTube video and the students took their fight to Ottawa, inspiring people across the country to write letters to the Minister of Indian Affairs. This largest child rights campaign in Canadian history was successful in overturning the Canadian governments’ broken promise to build a school. Sadly, Shannen died in an accident, but her dream of equal education for all First Nations communities across the country continues to grow.

Janet Wilson's previous two books of nonfiction combine her passions for social and environmental justice, portraiture, writing, and research. They are lavishly illustrated collections of inspirational real-life accounts of the power of children, enhanced with artwork, poetry by young people, and photographs.

Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet- Second Story Press, 2010

Winner: the Science in Society Book Award 2010, Middle School Readers

American Library Association, Top 10 Environmental Books for Youth of 2010

A Smithsonian Notable Book for 2010

One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists- Orca, 2008

Winner: Children’s Roundtable 2009 Information Book Award

Finalist: Hackmatack, Rocky Mountain, Red Cedar Book Awards

Outstanding and Inspiring title of the year list Smithsonian Institute, Washington

Imagine That! Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000, author/ illustrator

            A fascinating Illustrated history of the twentieth century.

Illustrated Books

In Flanders Fields, the Story of the Poem by John McCrae, written by Linda Granfield, Fitzhenry and Whiteside.

            WINNER-Children’s Roundtable Information Book

            Red Cedar

            I.O.D.E. Award

Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace, by Linda Granfield, Fitzhenry and Whiteside.

Lighthouse: A Story of Remembrance written by Robert Munsch, Scholastic,

            Best Book-Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, NYC

Jasper’s Day, written by Marjorie Blaine Parker, Kids Can Press

              SPCA and Henry Bergh awards for Best Illustrated Book, USA;Mr. Christie’s Silver Medal

Solomon’s Tree written by Andrea Spalding, Orca Book Publisher

            The first non-native illustrator to be awarded the Native Reading Week Award.

No Two Snowflakes, written by Sheree Fitch, Orca Book Publisher

Me and Mr. Mah, written by Andrea Spalding, Orca Book Publisher

At Grandpa’s Sugar Bush, written by Margaret Carney, Kids Can Press

Selina and The Bear Paw Quilt, written by Barbara Smucker, Fitzhenry & Whiteside,

            Amelia Frances Howard Gibbon Award for illustration

Presentation Details

Presentations can be tailored to the requests of individual schools and grade levels. In addition to an inspirational presentation on themes of social and environmental justice, Janet includes a discussion about the creative process, the writing and illustrating of books from conception to publication, including the difficulties and challenges. The talk ends (if time allows) with a portrait demonstration of a child with the drawing donated to your school. With Q & A it is a well-packed hour!

Shannen and the Dream for a School raises awareness about a number of First Nations themes in addition to the story of the campaign: The history of the original settlers in the James Bay area and their relations with the new settlers and the Canadian government, Residential Schools, Treaty rights, the life of a family on a remote northern reserve, and the systemic problems and injustice in our Aboriginal policies.

Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet and One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists, can be presented together or separately. Includes information on issues and positive ideas on how one can help bring about change.

The creative process: Janet Wilson believes that there is a crucial stage in the mid-elementary grades when basic instruction and encouragement helps students evolve their drawings from two dimensions into the third. Without this guidance, many frustrated children lacking confidence give up drawing forever. If requested, presentations can be primarily about drawing and art.

Audience: Janet is flexible about numbers but 75 is preferred. Grades 3 to 12 are the most successful, but Janet can also give a more age appropriate and shorter presentation to younger children if requested.

Location: The school library is preferred. For a larger audience in an auditorium, please provide a microphone.

Equipment required: A computer with an LCD projector and screen. Please provide a table for props and for a book display; an easel for drawing if possible. No bottled water, please.