New Brunswick child and young adult author, Valerie Sherrard plans to be in Ontario in the coming months and would be pleased to visit your school or library during that time.

Valerie’s fee is $300 for one session, $550 for two sessions and $750 for three sessions at a single location. An additional $50 per session is applied to assist Valerie with expenses such as travel and accommodations.

Because she has published picture books, junior novels and young adult novels, Valerie is able to present to all grades.

Valerie’s work has won the Geoffrey Bilson Historical Fiction for Young People Award, the Ann Connor Brimer Award and a Bronze Medal Award for Regional Fiction from the Independent Publishers Association. She been shortlisted for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and the CLA Book of the Year for Children, had honour titles in the Red Maple and White Pine Awards and been shortlisted for numerous other readers’ choice award programs.

Valerie is an experienced presenter who uses humour and an interactive style to engage her audience. Feedback from her school and library visits has been enthusiastic. Bobbie Henley had this to say about Valerie’s visit: “When Valerie Sherrard came to BCI the students found her approachable, earnest and real.  Her offbeat sense of humour appealed greatly to all.  Feedback from staff and students was very positive!”

Valerie is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, which offers a number of programs to assist schools and libraries in arranging author visits.    

Published Works

Picture Books

Miss Wondergem’s Dreadfully Dreadful Pie   Illustrated by Wendy J. Whittingham (2011)

There’s a GOLDFISH in my Shoe!   Illustrated by David Jardine (2009)

There’s a COW Under My Bed!   Illustrated by David Jardine (2008) 

 

Junior Novels 

The Glory Wind (2010)

Tumbleweed Skies (2009)

Young Adult Novels

Testify (2011)

Accomplice (2011)

Watcher (2009)

Three Million Acres of Flame (2007)

Speechless (2007)

Sarah’s Legacy  (2006)

Sam’s Light  (2004)

KATE  (2003) 

 

The Shelby Belgarden Mystery Series:

Searching for Yesterday (2008)

Eyes of a Stalker (2006)

Hiding in Plain Sight (2005)

Chasing Shadows  (2004)

In Too Deep  (2003)

Out of the Ashes  (2002)

Selected Awards and Nominations

Junior Novels:

 The Glory Wind

Winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Historical Fiction for Young People Award.

Winner of the 2011 Ann Connor Brimer Award

Bronze Medal winner: The Independent Publishers Association in the 2011 Canadian Regional Fiction category.

Shortlisted for The CLA 2011 Book of the Year for Children

Shortlisted for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award

Shortlisted for the Silver Birch Fiction Award for 2012

 2010 Best Bets Selection from the Ontario Library Association

 Tumbleweed Skies

Shortlisted for the 2010 Ann Connor Brimer Award

Shortlisted for the 2012 Hackmatack Award

Shortlisted for the 2012 Diamond Willow Award

Shortlisted for the 2012 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards

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Young Adult Novels:

 Speechless:

OLA Best Bets Selection: Top Ten Junior Fiction, 2007

Shortlisted for the 2009 Snow Willow Award

Shortlisted for the 2008 Ann Connor Brimer Award

Sarah’s Legacy

Shortlisted for the Red Maple Award 2008

Chasing Shadows, a Shelby Belgarden Mystery

Shortlisted for the 2007 BC Stellar Award

Sam’s Light

Shortlisted for the 2006 Snow Willow Award

Shortlisted for the 2006 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards

KATE

Honour Book: White Pine Award 2005

Recommended title, 2003, National Chapter of the IODE, Violet Downey Award

Out of the Ashes, A Shelby Belgarden Mystery

Honour Book: Red Maple Award 2003

Finalist, Arthur Ellis Award, 2003

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Picture Books:

There’s a COW Under My Bed!

Shortlisted for the Blue Spruce, 2010

Shortlisted for the Shining Willow, 2010

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Valerie’s Presentation Details

Grades JK – 3: Interactive talk about expressions and language, and students’ own creative abilities. Reading with audience participation. Please note that for younger grades, three 40 minute presentations may be booked at the two session rate.

Grades 4 and 5: Interactive presentation on literacy and a comparison of life today versus the 1940/50s. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

Grades 6 and up: Interactive presentation on literacy, believing in oneself and a variety of writing related topics, depending on the interest and grade level of the audience. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

I distribute a signed bookmark or postcard to each student.

I will present to: Grades JK - 12.

Maximum number of students per session:

40 for JK to 1

60 for Grades 2 – 5

80 for Grades 6 and up

I can be somewhat flexible on audience size but in my experience, smaller audiences provide the greatest benefit to students. 
  
I offer half and full day workshops for grades 6 - 10.  

Workshops are most productive if there is no more than a three grade span. 
Maximum participants for workshops: 15 
  
I also offer: 

Professional Development Workshops: Reluctant Readers; Promoting Literacy outside the Classroom 

I am comfortable in a classroom or library.  I will also present in an auditorium or gymnasium, but only if a sound system is provided. 
 
I require a display table and, when possible, a podium. A sound system is requested for any groups of 40 or more. For workshops, an overhead projector may be needed. 

A bottle of water is always appreciated.