Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s graphic novel author, Liam O’Donnell, is available for visits to schools in Ontario across Canada in the coming school year.

Liam would love to plan a visit to your school or library. His rate is rate is $575 for two sessions, $825 for three and $1000 for four, plus travel from downtown Toronto. Liam is also available for a “Virtual Visit” to any school in Canada, using Skype or Tinychat.

Liam is the creator of the award-winning graphic novel series Max Finder Mystery and Graphic Guide Adventures. He writes action-packed and informative graphic novels aimed at reluctant readers. His writing has been praised in Library School Journal, CM Magazine and many others.

Liam is also an experienced Elementary Teacher, so he knows how to engage students from all grades with his interactive presentations. He has two curriculum-based presentations that will meet the needs of Primary, Junior and Intermediate Grade students.

Here's what the kids at Matthews Hall school had to say about Liam's visit:

“We really liked how easy he made it for us to visualize the steps in which he followed in order to make his graphic novels and comics.” Reaganne, Gr. 5

“It was the best presentation Matthews Hall has provided in years.” Emma, Gr. 5

“From that presentation I might want to read the series too!” Austin Gr. 4

Liam is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada. Schools wishing to invite him may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to off-set the cost of his visit.

Published Works

Graphic Guide Adventures Series

Power Play, 2011

Food Fight, 2010

Media Meltdown, 2009

Soccer Sabotage, 2009

Ramp Rats, 2008

Wild Ride, 2008

Max Finder Mystery

Max Finder Mystery: Collected Casebook 5, 2011

Max Finder Mystery: Collected Casebook 4, 2010

Max Finder Mystery: Collected Casebook 3, 2009

Max Finder Mystery: Collected Casebook 2, 2009

Max Finder Mystery: Collected Casebook 1, 2008

Graphic Science Series (Non-Fiction Graphic Novels)

Photosynthesis, Capstone Press, 2007

Food Chains, Capstone Press, 2007

Electricity, Capstone Press, 2007

Other Graphic Novels

A United Force (Timeline Series: Celts & Romans), Scholastic Canada, Spring 2007

Blackbeard's Last Stand, Stone Arch Books, Spring 2007

System Shock, Stone Arch Books, Fall 2006

My Dad the Rock Star: Rebel Without a Nose Ring, Kids Can Press/Nelvana, 2002

Moville Mysteries: Raiders of the Lost Jockstrap, Kids Can Press/Nelvana, 2002

Picture Books

Winston In the City, Soundprints, 2005

Daisy On the Farm, Soundprints, 2005

Pepper's Snowy Search, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Ginger Leads the Way, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Lucy and the Busy Boat, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Duncan: A Brave Rescue, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Baxter Needs a Home, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Tracker: On the Job, Soundprints Publishing, 2004

Non-Fiction Titles

The Real World of Pirates Series

Pirate Gear, Capstone Press, 2007

Pirate Ships, Capstone Press, 2007

Pirate Treasure, Capstone Press, 2007

The Pirate Code, Capstone Press, 2007

Awards and Nominations

Winner – 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award (Collected Casebook Vol.2)

Winner – 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award (Collected Casebook Vol.1)

Nominee - Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, 2008

Presentation Details

Become a Media Master

Grades: 4-8 Size: 60 students max. Length: 60 min (flexible)

Learn how media works to influence what we buy, wear, eat and talk about. Using my graphic novel, Media Meltdown, videos and interactive games, students learn the tricks advertisers use to sell their products and how we can all be media makers to create our own messages.

Panel Power: How Comics are Made

Grades: 4-8 Size: 60 students max. Length: 60 min (flexible)

Dive into the world of comics to see how writers and illustrators team up to turn ideas into full colour graphic novels. Each presentation includes an interactive reading of “Max Finder Mystery Theatre” and a hands-on look the scripts and sketches writers and illustrators create before moving on to the final draft. Writing tips, advice and a Question and Answer session are all included too. Each student will also receive a bookmark (while supplies last.)

Maximum number of students per session: 60 (2 classes)

I can be flexible.. My talks use a lot of handouts (actual artwork in progress, scripts, etc), so my talks are best suited for mid size groups.

I also offer...

Professional Development Workshops: Panel Power: Book-Hooking Readers with Comics: A 60 minute presentation for elementary and high school teachers and librarians outlining the literacy value of comics and offering techniques to use comics to springboard readers to traditional texts.

My talks for students work best classrooms and libraries. My professional development talk will work in an auditorium. (Just no gyms please.)

I require: A table for my books, an Data Projector and screen and an internet connection (a nice bonus but not necessary.)