Robin Baird Lewis

Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s book illustrator, Robin Baird Lewis, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.  
 
This illustrator is taking bookings within a 150 kilometre radius of Guelph/Brantford.  
 
Robin would love to plan a visit to your school or library. Her rate is $250.00 per session, plus travel from Guelph.  

Hard on the heels of the special 25th Anniversary, Limited Edition, of Canadian classic: RED IS BEST in 2005, Robin turned to design work for a children's theatre company which gave birth to a number of workshop ideas easily adapted to school visits. 

Sponsored by a generous Ontario Arts Council grant for 2008-2009, Robin was able to thoroughly road test these ideas in schools and has carefully honed the best most impressive projects into 60 to 90 minute workshop formats adaptable to Grades 4 and 5. 
 
For the more general audiences, with a simple marker pen and lots of chart paper, Robin can whip up enchantingly entertaining drawings faster than the kids can dream up ideas. All work created is donated to your school library! With energy and wit she can adapt her demonstrations and insights into the world of book illustration for all ages, without missing a beat. She is repeatedly referred to as “excellent value” from her host teachers and one of the best-kept secrets of her hometown Brantford.  
 
Robin’s publishing bibliography and further details of her presentation follow this message.  
 
Robin is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and so schools wishing to invite her may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to off-set the cost of her visit. For details of this program, please contact us.  
 
Time slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please respond early if you are interested in booking Robin Baird Lewis.

 
 
PUBLISHED WORKS/WORKS IN PROGRESS: ROBIN BAIRD LEWIS  

2010 The Ale Sea by James McGorman
2009 Colouring Book for Child Abuse Survivors by Ellen Lacter Phd.
2007 Dramatic Crafts for Kids by Robin Baird Lewis
2006 I Wish I Was a Wishima Tree by Michael Chudnovsky
2005 Red is Best  25^th Anniversary Edition, Annick Press. 
2002 Baby Talk Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis MO  
2002 Touch the Moon Annick, Toronto  
2001 More Than Words Hanen, Toronto  
2000 To the Pool with Mama Annick, Toronto  
1998 You Make the Difference Hanen, Toronto  
1996 To the Post Office with Mama Annick, Toronto  
1992 Stephen's Baseball Mitt Annick, Toronto  
1991 Who is Sleeping in Aunty's Bed? OUP Toronto  
1986 Round the Mountain chapter reader, Nelson, Toronto  
1985 Aunt Armadillo Annick, Toronto  
1984 Upside Down King of Minnikin OISE/Annick, Toronto  
1983 Big or Little? Annick, Toronto  
1982 Red is Best Annick, Toronto  
1981 Canadian Children's Annual Potlatch, Hamilton  
1980 Canadian Children's Annual Potlatch, Hamilton  
 
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS  
 
IODE Choice Pick for Big or Little , Children's Book Centre, Toronto  
Red is Best on the Top Ten Children's Books published in Canada, by Maclean's, Canadian Living, etc. and a regular item on Children's Book Christmas List of the Year in Canadian media.  
 
ROBIN'S PRESENTATION DETAILS  
 
I start by asking who likes to doodle or draw in their note books (certainly NOT their text books!) and then explain how this “visual learning” style meant I always was an illustrator, even in Grade 4...and they might be too!  
 
As a former teacher, I know that curriculum or school ethics reinforcement can play a significant role in my offering of classroom  enrichment ...so any tips on current topics or events experienced by host group/s helps me validate those messages..  
 
My presentations require the use of a fully supported pad of large (preferably) unlined chart paper where I quickly draw the ideas each group generates. Building story ideas with pictures is my basic approach, with a lot of inter-active games, role-playing and “stump the artist” challenges thrown in for fun and good measure, depending on the age of the group. Tips for spin-off ideas to pursue later in the classroom always emerge so teachers benefit too!  
 
A select list of short prepared interview questions from the floor are a great way to get the kids ready for the visit and are entertaining for all (staff included!) as a grand and memorable finale before closing thank yous. 
 
Maximum 4 sessions per day (or 1 morning and 1 afternoon if schools close by).

I can present to grades K to 8. Also to high school Art classes.

Maximum number of students per session: K-4 : 30,  5-8 : 20 or so, High school : per class (20+)

May be flexible. Depends: special topics/occasions like cross-curricular themes and future careers for example.

Workshops available for Gr. 3-8.  "Creativity Tune-Up" lessons for High school levels as well.

Maximum participants for workshop: 15-20

I also offer...

Professional Development Workshops

Level 3C, 3U and 4C and 4U Creative Writing Workshops

I am comfortable in a classroom or library.