Member of The Writers’ Union of Canada; Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers; and Society of Environmental Journalists. Winner of City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. Finalist for: Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award; Young Readers’ Choice Book Awards of BC Red Cedar Award (x2); Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award; Green Earth Book Award; City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize; Lane Anderson Award; VanCity Book Prize; and Edna Staebler Award for Creative Nonfiction. Other book honours include: Gold Standard Selection (Junior Library Guild); and Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K–12 (National Science Teaching Association and Children’s Book Council).
In-person: $300 for one session; $550 for two (same day, same location); $800 for three. Virtual: $250. Plus GST on all fees. No travel costs within Greater Victoria region. For other areas, travel costs may include transportation (e.g., mileage at $0.50/km; ferry fares) and lodging, if required.
Frances Backhouse is an award-winning author of nonfiction books for children and adults, whose science writing draws on her experiences working as a biologist, park naturalist, and environmental journalist. Her engaging, fact-filled, photo-rich books for ages 9-12 explore the lives of iconic wildlife species, highlight their ecological importance and survival challenges, and introduce readers to scientists, conservationists, and young people who are working to ensure these animals will be with us forever. She believes in giving kids hope and the tools to make a difference in the world.
Frances also enjoys speaking to adult groups about her adult books and about writing. She has taught creative nonfiction and journalism to university students and community learners.
PRESENTATIONS
My presentations run 45-60 minutes and are best suited to grades 3 to 7, but can be adapted to suit audience interests and needs. I use photos from my books (shown as slides) and props (handed around if group size permits) to illustrate ideas, and read short selections from my books to encourage student reading. I love to interact with participants and I welcome questions. Topics and themes include nature, environment, ecology, conservation, biodiversity, human-wildlife relationships, and citizen science.
Owls Are Awesome
This presentation reveals the secrets of these popular yet mysterious birds and introduces participants to some of the 19 species that live in North America, ranging in size from the tiny elf owl to the hefty great horned owl. I also talk about the threats owls face and how kids can get involved in owl conservation, using real-life examples from the profiles of young people in my book Owls: Who Gives a Hoot? (a 2024/25 Yellow Cedar Award nominee).
What’s So Great About Grizzly Bears?
Grizzly bears, one of North America’s most iconic wildlife species, once roamed across half the continent. Today, their range and numbers are much diminished and they are dealing with many challenges. In this presentation, I explore what makes grizzlies special and what they need to survive and thrive. I also talk about my experiences working as a field biologist studying grizzly bears in northern British Columbia. This presentation is based on my book Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness (a 2024/25 Red Cedar Award nominee).
Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers
This presentation explores the history and biology of Canada’s national mammal – an animal that was almost hunted to extinction during the fur-trade era, but is now found in big cities, wilderness parks and everywhere in between. I talk about the beaver’s amazing engineering skills, explain the term “keystone species,” and highlight the important role these radical rodents play as habitat creators, water stewards, and climate change allies. Participants will also learn about young people who are contributing to coexistence efforts that make it easier for us to live alongside these endearing but sometimes frustrating animals. This presentation is based on my book Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers.
Bear Buddies, Beaver Boosters and Owl Allies: How To Be a Friend to Wildlife
Life is hard for many wild animals these days and people are their biggest problem. But each of us has the power to turn things around and be a wildlife supporter. In this presentation, I share ideas about how young people can take action and make the world a friendlier place for all kinds of wild animals. I also offer inspiration and examples with real-life stories and photos of kids profiled in my books – Owls: Who Gives a Hoot?, Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness, and Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers.
Better With Bison
A presentation about bison – North America’s largest land animal and an important cultural and ecological keystone species – will be available once my new book, Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers, is published in Spring 2025.
For all presentations:
Group size: Flexible; 45 maximum preferred.
Venue: Classroom or library preferred.
Equipment and tech needs:
In-person presentations – A projector and screen; speakers (only for presentations that include video clips); a table; a microphone for larger groups or if room acoustics are poor.
Virtual presentations – Access to your preferred online platform, including screen-sharing ability. A support person to help with technical matters and moderate the chat, if used. A room moderator to facilitate student participation and Q&A. The support person and room moderator can be the same person (e.g., a teacher or librarian). If the participants are in more than one room, each group should have its own moderator.
