Rona Arato

Silver Birch Non-fiction Nominee 2010

Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author Rona Arato, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.   

This author is flexible and will do visits to suit your schedule. Her rate is $250 per session. There is no travel charge within the GTA. For travel outside the GTA the standard kilometrage applies. 

Rona 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 offset the cost of her visit. Contact us for details of this program. 

Published Works 

On a Canadian Day,  Owlkids Books

Courage and Compassion, Ten Canadians Who Made a Difference, Owlkids Books

Ice Cream Town,  Fitzhenry and Whiteside 

Working for Freedom, the Story of Josiah Henson, Napoleon Publishing

Fossils Crabtree Books

World of Water Crabtree Books 

Awards and Nominations

Silver Birch Nominee 2009

Children’s Crown Award 2009 Finalist

CLA Children’s Book of the Year Award 2008 longlist

CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens 2008 
 

Rona’s Presentation Details: 

My readings and presentations are geared to students in grades four to eight. I use an interactive reading/discussion format to involve children and excite their curiosity. I link stories to current issues such as immigration and social responsibility. A theme that runs through much of my work is that one person can, and often does, make a significant difference. By involving the children in examining these issues, I help them think about the way they interact with friends, family and the community at large. 

Ice Cream Town

Issues: Immigration, gangs, and bullying and social conscience. Study guide: click here. 
 

Courage and Compassion, Ten Canadians Who Made a Difference

Issues: Canadian history, social responsibility, human rights, and “what makes a hero?” 

Working for Freedom The Story of Josiah Henson

Issues: Slavery, the Underground Railroad, human rights, and social responsibility 

On a Canadian Day: A Journey across Canada

Issues: Canadian history, growing up, slavery, immigration, and social responsibility

• My presentations are interactive. I involve the students at all levels. I tell them about myself and how and why I write.
• I give background on the book that I am presenting and talk about what motivated me to write it. I ask the students about their experiences as they relate to the book. In Ice Cream Town for example, I ask if any of them have immigrated or moved from another place. What were their feelings and problems?
• I will read and then discuss the section I’ve read.

Grades I will present to: 4 to 8  

Is this flexible? Yes. I will present to students up to grade 12 for Courage and Compassion and Josiah Henson.

Maximum number of students per session: 75-80 (Ideal)  

Is this flexible? Yes, I will consider a larger group. Please discuss this with me.   

Writing workshops available for grades 4-8.  

Maximum participants for workshop: A maximum of 16 for optimum results.   

Venues you’re comfortable in:  (classroom, library, auditorium, gymnasium)

I am comfortable in all settings.   

Equipment and other requirements:  

• A projector screen for a PowerPoint presentation if the venue is a gymnasium or auditorium.
• A power socket with multiple plug points
• I ask that a librarian or teacher be present throughout the presentation.