Author: Caroline Fernandez

Ludwig, Sidura (Thornhill, ON)

Membership: Writers’ Union of Canada, SCBWI, CANSCAIP, Association Jewish Libraries.

Awards: Vine Award for Fiction, 2021 (You Are Not What We Expected); Danuta Gleed Award, finalist, 2021; Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award, finalist, 2008.

Presentation rates, in person:  $325 for one session, $500 for half day (two sessions), $1000 for full day (four sessions, max). For outside of GTA, $.50/km. Presentation rates, virtual: $200 per session.

RISING is the recipient of the Canadian Jewish Literary Award for children and youth

Sidura is an internationally published writer of books for children and adults. She has over 30 years experience leading creative writing workshops to students of all ages. She loves nothing more than being in front of the classroom and sharing her life-long love of writing and books. She is the author of the picture book RISING (Candlewick, 2024), the middle grade novel SWAN (Nimbus, 2024), the adult short story collection YOU ARE NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED (House of Anansi, 2020) and the adult novel HOLDING MY BREATH (Key Porter Books, 2007).

Presentations

Middle Grade (4-8) (one hour)

Rejection is Your Best Friend – my journey on how I became a full-time working writer, including the year I tried to get rejected as many times as possible, and what I learnt along the way. Includes reading from SWAN, question and answer and short writing prompt.

Writing Historical Fiction – learn the background to writing SWAN, from idea, to research, to deciding why to write in verse. Includes photos from research in Nova Scotia. Writing workshop on how to get started when writing historical fiction and the importance of curiosity and asking questions (I WONDER poem).

Grades 1-3 (one hour)

How I became a picture book writer – presentation includes how I became a writer (with images from childhood), and how picture books get made. I read from RISING and include a lot of interactive questions with students. Art workshop on making a picture book, using an unpublished manuscript, where students get to be the illustrators. All art supplies included.

JK-SK (45 minutes)

Let’s Eat! – interactive song and storytime about making challah and celebrating Shabbat. Discussion on what foods do you eat when you are celebrating something? Read from RISING. Two station art workshop afterwards: 1) drawing picture of what you eat when you’re celebrating 2) learn to “braid challah” with Play Doh. All art supplies are included.

Maximum number of students: Grade 1-3, 50; JK/SK, 30; grade 4-8, 100

Preferred location: library or classroom, but am fine with anywhere that allows students room to both my presentation and art workshop (for JK-Grade 3).

Equipment: (Grades 1-3) projector, screen, glass of water, tables with enough seating for students for art workshop; (JK-SK) chair and table for circle time, tables and seating for students for two-station art workshop; (Grades 4-8), projector, screen, microphone for large groups

Contact Sidura to book a visit:

    Rae, Rowena (Victoria, BC)

    Non-fiction science books for ages 9+, and decodable fiction books for striving readers ages 6–9. Member of the Writers’ Union of Canada, CWILL BC, and SCBWI. Winner of the Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award for YA Non-Fiction (for Salmon: Swimming for Survival). Winner of a Moonbeam Award in the Reading Skills/Literacy category (for Meg and Greg: A Duck in a Sock). Included on the CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books List for Students K–12 (2023). Nominated for a BC Red Cedar Book Award (2023 & 2025). Nominated for the Victoria Children’s Book Prize (2025). Included as a starred selection several times in CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens.

    I write both non-fiction science books for upper elementary and middle grade ages and decodable fiction books for lower elementary ages. I’m an experienced speaker who loves sharing my enthusiasm for science, nature, reading, and writing with young people in engaging, interactive presentations.

    Non-fiction science books

    My non-fiction science books are for ages 9 and up. I draw on my science education and experience as a field biologist to write about biology, ecology, the environment, and human health. As well as being a science enthusiast, I love history, so all of my science books also have a dose of history and stories from the past in them.

    Non-fiction book presentation: I talk briefly about how I started writing books and then discuss what I do to research and write a non-fiction book. I give examples and share stories and passages from one or several of my nonfiction books (teacher’s/librarian’s choice; see list below). I use slides with photos, bring props with me, and encourage participants to interact through questions and, if appropriate, whole-group activities. Every session ends with Q&A.

    Grades: 4 to 7

    Format: In-person or virtual

    Group size: Flexible; prefer up to about 50

    Session length: 45 to 60 minutes

    Rate: $300 plus GST for one session. Discount for booking additional sessions of the same presentation to be given on the same day. Plus travel fees for in-person sessions outside the Greater Victoria Area.

    Non-fiction book list:

    Where Land Meets Sea: Rising Oceans, Changing Coastlines

    Upstream, Downstream: Exploring Watershed Connections

    Salmon: Swimming for Survival

    Why We Need Vaccines: How Humans Beat Infectious Diseases

    Rachel Carson and Ecology for Kids

    Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives

    Decodable fiction books:

    My fiction books are the Meg and Greg series of decodable fiction stories (co-authored with my sister, Elspeth Rae) for kids who are learning to read and striving to improve their new-found reading skills. Each book builds on the previous one and introduces new reading/spelling concepts.

    Fiction book presentation:

    In this presentation, I introduce participants to the Meg and Greg stories’ main characters: Meg, Greg, and Rocket the dog. I talk briefly about how I, my co-author, and the illustrator work together to write and illustrate the stories, and then I lead a mini-lesson on a spelling concept from one of the stories (teacher’s/librarian’s choice). After the mini-lesson, I read a part of the story that uses that spelling concept and show slides of the book pages so participants can follow along and clearly see the illustrations. The session ends with Q&A.

    Grades: 1 to 3

    Format: In-person

    Group size: Up to 45

    Session length: 30 to 40 minutes

    Rate: $200 plus GST for one session. Discount for booking additional sessions of the same presentation to be given on the same day. Plus travel fees for in-person sessions outside the Greater Victoria Area.

    Meg and Greg series of decodable fiction – book list:

    Book 1: A Duck in a Sock, introducing CK, SH, CH, TH

    Book 2: Frank and the Skunk, introducing NK, NG, TCH, DGE

    Book 3: The Bake Sale, introducing Magic e words

    Book 4: Scarlet and the Ring, introducing r-controlled vowels AR, OR, ER, AIR

    Book 5: A Handful of Dogs, introducing common prefixes and suffixes

    Book 6: Train Day!, introducing long vowel sounds

    Book 7: Moose on the Loose, introducing gliding vowel sounds

    Book 8: The Unknown Knight, introducing silent consonants, consonant + le, soft c and g  

    Equipment:

    For in-person visits: Projector (that operates with a MacBook) and screen, whiteboard or blackboard and markers/chalk, a table to spread out my props, a microphone for larger groups or if room acoustics are questionable.

    For virtual visits: I use my own Zoom account or your preferred online platform. I will need a support person to moderate the chat and help with technical aspects. If participants are in a single room watching on a big screen, I will need a room moderator to help with group discussion and Q&A.

    Contact Rowena to book a visit:

      Cutler, Marcus Tecumseh, ON)

      A member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, SCBWI, and CANSCAIP.

      Rates: $250 for a single session, $200 per each additional session. For Kindergarten classes, two half sessions can be substituted for a full one. Plus a travel fee of $0.50/km outside of Essex County, Ontario. Virtual: $180 per session.

      Marcus began his career as an illustrator, and has since established himself as a writer, and presenter. He is the author and illustrator of the hilarious picture book I Do Not Eat Children, and is the illustrator of The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story, The Monster’s Travel Guide Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, the Lark Ba detective series, and many, many more!

      WORDS VS. PICTURES – WHO WILL WIN?!?

      Grades K-6

      50-60 Minutes, or two 30-minute presentations for kindergarten groups

      What’s more important in a picture book, the words or the pictures? Marcus fearlessly tackles this controversial debate head-on in this fun and enlightening presentation that pulls from his unique perspective as both an illustrator and author. Focusing on how artwork can support, expand, and even contradict the text, Marcus will read and discuss a book he illustrated, The Three Canadian Pigs by Jocelyn Watkinson as well as his own book, I Do Not Eat Children. Students will then participate in a lively improvisational art and caption game that will finally determine who reigns supreme, the words… or the pictures?

      MAKING MONSTROSITIES

      Grades K-5

      50-60 Minutes, or two 30-minute presentations for kindergarten groups

      What happens to all the books that don’t get made? Prepare yourself as Marcus opens his Vault of Monstrosities, and discover that what lies inside is not just monstrous… but also wonderful! Focusing on the themes of creativity and resilience, Marcus will take students on a behind the scenes tour – from manuscript, to artwork, to printed copy, and all the parts in-between, to see how books sometimes do, and sometimes don’t, get made. The presentation will include readings  and discussions of Travel Guide for Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, and I Do Not Eat Children, as well as a raucous call and response monster-drawing game that will teach students how fun it can be to make monstrosities!

      Virtual Visits:

      The classroom must have access to a camera and Google Meet or Zoom, and drawing materials for the students.

      In-Person Visits:

      The classroom will need a smart board or presentation screen, a pad of chart paper, and drawing materials for the students. Additional activity sheets will be provided. Marcus prefers a maximum group size of 35 to allow for higher personal engagement.

      Contact Marcus to book a visit:

        Hannigan, Jess (Hamilton, ON)

        Jess Hannigan is the author and illustrator of picture books, including Spider in the Well, The Bear Out There, and The Cow in the Dark at Night. Some say she has the heart of a designer and the sensibility of a professional clown. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario.

        Her picture books have been Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections, Kids Indie Next list picks, featured on NPR, honored by the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee’s 2026 Best Children’s Books of the Year list, and have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and SLJ.

        Book Topics: Hannigan’s picture books are all cheeky comedies, whether its spider webs and wishing wells, a familiar bear-related fairy tale with a twist, or a curious cow that may be lacking some stranger-danger senses. Librarians and booksellers have praised her books as great read-alouds, appealing to a wide
        range of age groups!

        In-Person Presentations: $350+HST for one session, $500+HST for two same-day sessions, and $900+HST for an all-day visit. For presentations outside of
        the GTA and Kitchener/Waterloo region, travel expenses may need to be
        included. Virtual Visits: $250 + HST for one session, and $100 + HST for each
        additional presentation on the same day.

        Presentation Format: Full presentation sessions are generally a 1hr, and covers
        her journey to becoming an author, developing her artistic style, and how she
        wrote and illustrated one or multiple of her picture books. This can also include a reading of the book, of course! The session can also be ended with a live drawing and/or a Q&A session. Also available is a shorter, story time session (30-45min), with a brief intro about Jess, a reading, and Q&A. Good for younger listeners!

        Jess typically works with children ages 4-9, but she’s also enjoyed presenting to
        older kids/teens about my life as an author and artist. Presentations can also
        provide advice for making creative work that feels unique to you!
        Happy to work around your needs or hear out your presentation ideas!

        Other Notes:

        ● A projector/screen is required for in-person visits if we want to show the
        slide presentation, as well as a microphone for larger groups of kids.
        ● For any drawing activities, an easel with paper, markers, and crayons for
        the kids to draw along with.
        ● A teacher/facilitator must be present for in-person presentations.

        Contact Jess to book a visit:

          Paruzel-Gibson, Natalia (Burlington, Ontario)

          Writers’ Union of Canada member. CANSCAIP member. Recipient of a Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) for Nina and the Missing Night. English language presentations for grades K-6; further age ranges available on request.

          In-Person Visits (45-60 minutes): $200 for 1 session; $150 for each subsequent session up to four sessions in one day. A session may be split into two 30-minute sessions for Kindergarten. Plus, a travel fee of $0.50/km if outside of Halton. 

          Virtual Visits (30-60 minutes): $100-$150 per session. A session may be split into two 30-minute sessions for Kindergarten.

          Natalia Paruzel-Gibson is a Polish-Canadian children’s book author, book marketing consultant, and writing coach. With a Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, she is the author of Something Lost Something Found and A Picture Day to Remember (Clavis, 2023), which has been translated into multiple languages. Her forthcoming book, Nina and the Missing Night (Pownal Street Press, Traditional Program), will be released on November 3, 2026, and is now available for pre-order.

          Natalia’s school presentations are engaging and interactive. For students in grades K-3, each presentation includes a discussion of her favourite books, the role of the author and illustrator, the inspiration behind the books, a book reading, a discussion about how to come up with a story idea, an overview of how a book comes to life, and an SEL focused activity. There’s plenty of time for Q&A too!

          Testimonials:

          “Natalia presented a well crafted, engaging and hands on presentation to our grade one classes. It left our students buzzing and provided us as educators with lots of wonderful jumping off points to engage our students in meaningful writing activities. Highly recommend Natalia for an in school presentation! Thank you for sharing your story and knowledge with us.” -Robin W. Grade One teacher, Frontenac Public School

          “We were absolutely thrilled to host Natalia at our school this week for a truly unforgettable author visit. Her engaging presence and amazing energy captivated our students, who were fascinated to learn about the behind the scenes magic of the writing process. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the reading of her book, “A Picture Day to Remember,” which left our young readers inspired and smiling. Thank you, Natalia, for exceeding all of our expectations—we are already counting down the days until we can welcome you back next year!” -Poonam G. Vice-Principal, Orchard Park Public School

          For students in grades 3-6, each presentation includes the above, plus an in-depth outline of the publishing process from concept through to the final product. This segment of the presentation is an excellent opportunity for aspiring writers to receive tips and suggestions to hone in on the craft of storytelling.

          Natalia is a very flexible presenter and can adapt her presentation to suit the needs of a school. If there is an interest in focusing more on one aspect of writing, she’s happy to accommodate.

          Natalia is glad to speak to an entire school or conduct more personal sessions where a few classrooms are amalgamated or split up by grade. Natalia requests a projector/white board for a Google Slides presentation, a table and coloured pencil crayons. For larger in-person presentations, she will require a table, microphone, and a PA system.

          Book Natalia for a visit:

            Frayne Sharon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

            Writers Union Member. Young Adult and Adult genres. $300 plus HST and travel ($0.50/km outside Niagara) for 1 session, $500 for 2, $700 for 3 and $900 for full day.

            Virtual Visits: $100-200 plus HST (depending on time required)

            Background: Sharon Frayne was born in St. Catharines, grew up on a Niagara farm and in Muskoka, and now divides her time between Niagara and Northern Ontario. She was a high school Visual Arts and English teacher, an Arts Department Head, and Elementary Principal. During her career, she worked with many special needs children, their families and teachers. She’s an award winning short story writer and novelist, whose contemporary tales include diverse characters, environmental issues, Canadian history and outdoor settings.  

            Public Speaking and Workshops: Sharon is a dynamic, engaging, experienced teacher and Principal who is comfortable leading small groups, individual classrooms or presenting in assemblies. She enjoys speaking to adult groups and book clubs. Presentations include visuals and are interactive, tailored to individual and group needs.

            Workshop Themes (samples, more are available and can be customized)

            How to Self-Edit (suitable for students in grades 4- 12. Meets Ontario Curriculum Guidelines)

            How to create amazing, realistic, empathetic characters (for short stories or novel length)

            Does Setting matter? It sure does – let’s do some world building to enhance your story.

            Seven Steps to writing a prize winning Short Story.

            What’s a plot line? How to develop one for a short story or novel.

            Who needs conflict? Your story does – here’s how to create some.

            For Better or for Worse – How does Social Media Affect Us?

            Materials Required for School Presentations:

            Classroom or Library setting preferred. Microphone (if acoustics are problematic), table for computer and materials, screen and data projector. Preference is for individual classrooms, or similar age/grade groups up to 100.

            Free Virtual Visits!

            15 minute virtual visits, with a short teacher/moderator led Q & A session are available to classes or clubs who are reading one of my books.  This works best with small groups.

            Writer in Residence option:

            This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a working relationship with a group over a pre-arranged time period. This could be writing workshops, feedback sessions, book discussions and can be arranged to suit interest and ability levels.

            Publications:

            Magazines and Newspapers: Eden Mills Writers Festival Chapter Publication (winning writers), CommuterLit, Agnes and True, The Ekphrastic Review, Uproar, The Local (NOTL Paper), The Lake Report (NOTL Paper), Stage of Life (USA online publication) and others

            Novels: The Sound of a Rainbow, (Latitude 46 Publishing),2023 (gr. 8 -12)

            Caught Between the Walls, (Bygones Press), 2016 (gr. 6 -12)

            Awards:

            Frayne’s short stories and poems have won in the South Simcoe Arts Festival, Eden Mills Writers Festival, the Northern Ontario Writer’s Workshop, the Banister Poetry Contest and Stratford Rotary Writing Contest. She won the Best Novel Award in the Muskoka Novel Marathon in 2019, 2020 and 2022. She’s been a frequent winner of the NOTL Rising Spirits Writing competition for both short stories and poetry. Her personal essay, ‘Stepping into a Lifetime’ was the USA national winner in the Stage of Life writing competition.

            She won the Halton District School Board’s Award of Distinction for Creativity in Education and was nominated for the Ontario Premier’s Award for Education.

            Associations: In addition to belonging to the Writer’s Union of Canada, she’s an NOTL Writer’s Circle board member, past president of the Niagara branch of the Canadian Author’s Association. She’s a past Editor of the CAA Niagara annual Anthology and has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous Arts Festivals. She was featured in a televised production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with the CBC.  She also belongs to the NOTL Pumphouse Art Gallery, and is a past board member with NOTL Newcomers Club.

            Contact Sharon To Book A Visit:

              Krampien, Celia (Welland, ON)

              SCBWI member.

              Celia Krampien writes and illustrates picture books and novels for young people. She grew up in a small town (population 400) in rural Southern Ontario where she spent most of her time reading and exploring the woods around her house. Celia loves creating bright, colourful, emotionally complex books. Celia’s books are best suited for students in grades JK – 8 but is happy to be flexible and adapt presentations to meet the needs of students of any age.

              Book topics: the power of stories, handling adversity, facing fears, differences in perspective, friendship, bullying, Halloween.

              RATES*:

              Virtual Visits

              $200 – 1 hour virtual presentation + drawing activity + Q&A  (Gr 3 and up)

              $100 – 30 minute picture book story time and drawing demo (Gr JK – 2)

              In-Person Visits

              $250 – two 30 minute picture book story time and drawing activity sessions (Gr JK – 2)

              $300 – 1 hour  presentation + interactive activity + Q&A (Gr 3 and up)

              $500 – two 1 hour presentations with interactive activity and Q&A (Gr 3 and up)

              $900 – all day visit, as many presentations/activities/Q&A sessions as we can fit! (Gr JK and up)

              In-Person, Large Groups (50+ attendees)

              $400 – 1 hr presentation + interactive activity + Q&A (requires podium, slideshow projection system, microphone & sound system)

              *HST will be charged on all fees

              Presentations (all can all be offered virtually or in-person)

              Storytime and draw-along – 30 mins (JK – Grade 2)

              – Picture book(s) read aloud

              – Drawing and colouring activity – students can draw and colour along as Celia demonstrates how to draw characters from her books

              – Q & A session

              Telling Stories with Pictures – 1 hour (Grades 3 – 5)

              – Slideshow presentation about using words and pictures as storytelling tools with examples from Celia’s recent book with Kristen Dickson, Fiona Builds a Fairyhouse

              – interactive drawing activity – students draw along with Celia, drawing their own fairytale creatures and creating a story to introduce them to the rest of the class (requires easel and large pad of paper)

              – Q&A session

              How a Story Becomes a Book (And Why Does it Take So Long?!) – 1 hour (Grades 4 and up)

              – slideshow presentation showing the step-by-step process of the creation of Celia’s spooky middle grade novel, The Bellwoods Game. Students will get a behind the scenes peek at Celia’s journey, starting at her first attempts at writing through to publication day

              – interactive activity- students will tryout different brainstorming techniques to answer the age old question of where ideas come from (requires easel and large pad of paper)

              – Q&A session

              Cover Stories – the making of a book cover (Grades 4 and up)

              – slideshow presentation about the step-by-step process of creating illustrated covers for middle grade novels and why sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover

              – interactive activity – students draw along with Celia to create their own book covers (requires easel and large pad of paper)

              – Q&A session

              Equipment Required:

              –      Projector to display slideshow (in-person visits)

              –      easel and large pad of paper for presentations activities

              –      Paper, pencils/crayons/markers for students for presentations with brainstorming and draw-along activities.

              –      Microphone, sound system and podium for larger groups (50+ attendees)

              Contact Celia to book a visit:

                Lukidis, Lydia (Montreal, Quebec)

                Award winning author Lydia Lukidis, recipient of a Silver Birch Express honor (Forest of Reading) Award, SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the North American division, and multiple Cybils Award nominations.

                Rates:For in-person workshops (Montreal and surrounding areas)- $300 for one sixty-minute session, $450 for two, $600 for three, $750 for four, plus a travel fee of $0.50/km.

                For virtual workshops- $200 for a session of up to sixty minutes, $100 for each additional session on the same day, up to four sessions in one day. Flexible and able to accommodate schedules in a range of time zones.

                Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. She also enjoys writing books with social emotional learning (SEL) themes such as friendship, empathy, and gratitude.

                Workshops:

                Lydia has 15 years experience working with children in elementary schools. She’s passionate about spreading the love for literacy and her presentations are dynamic and lively. The goal is to entertain and educate in a way that illuminates the magic of the written word.

                Lydia offers writing workshops that tie in with educational curriculum for students from kindergarten to grade six. Each workshop begins with an initial presentation where she discusses her writing process giving particular attention to the art of editing. This will include some fun literacy games. Lydia will then help students brainstorm and start their own writing process. These workshops are an excellent opportunity for students to develop good writing and cognitive skills, improve literacy, and tap into creative self-expression. Study guides and follow up activities will be provided.

                The workshops are tailored for each grade, here are the various options:

                • Story Making 101 (1-6)
                • Character Development (K-6)
                • Fairy Tale Magic (1-4)
                • The Power of Mythology (4-6)
                • Persuasive Writing (2-6)
                • The Art of Poetry (2-6)
                • Personal Narratives (2-6)
                • Crafting Nonfiction (2-6)
                • Let’s Write a Book (2-6, a special 3-part workshop where students communally write and illustrate a book that Lydia will print)
                • Author Reading with Puppetry Workshop (K-3)
                • Advanced Narrative Building (6)

                (35 students maximum for in-person, 100 for virtual)

                Presentations:

                • Sparking Interest through STEM: This presentation will show children that STEM is not only all around us, but it’s also fun and exciting! (K-3)
                • Dream Big and Take the Leap: This presentation will highlight the perseverance required to achieve your dreams and how seeming “failures” can help you carve your path to success. The goal is to inspire students to dream big! (3-6)

                (100 students maximum)

                Suggested Reading:

                Grades 2-5:

                DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench is a lyrical spare-text STEM picture book that takes readers on a journey to where few humans have ever been. The narrative debunks scary myths about this mysterious place with surprising and beautiful truths about life at Earth’s deepest point.

                (Themes: STEM, deep sea, biodiversity, conservation, oceanography, biology, geology)

                Kindergarten-3:

                Grades 2-5:

                UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere: Look up–into the blue and beyond. What do you see? The sky–our atmosphere–may seem empty or invisible. But is it? Using spare, lyrical language, author Lydia Lukidis takes readers on an imagined journey up, up high to discover the surprising and wondrous things flying, floating, and happening between the treetops and the stars in this STEM-based picture book.

                Themes: STEM, weather, atmospheres, clouds

                Grades 2-5:

                DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights is the true story of Dr. Mae Jemison, whose lifelong passions of science and dance prepared her to become a trailblazing astronaut, making her the first Black woman to travel into outer space. Throughout it all, she pursued her love of dance.

                Themes: STEM, space, perseverance, breaking barriers, art meets science

                Requirements:

                Lydia will require a smart board with functional speakers for a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation. Students will need pencils, erasers, loose-leaf paper, and sometimes pencil crayons and markers. In order to ensure a successful workshop, it is essential that at least one educator/librarian remain in class for the duration of the workshop. For larger presentations in-person, she will require a table, microphone, and a proper PA system.

                Lydia also provides manuscript critiques for fiction and nonfiction.

                Contact Lydia to book a visit:

                  Join our roster

                  Open to canadian traditionally published authors and illustrators

                  Applications open June – September. Current year nominees may apply up until November.

                  If you are interested in being considered for our roster we invite you to apply via the Authors’ Booking Service online application. 

                  MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

                  • Get discovered by schools, libraries and event organizers through inclusion in the Authors’ Booking Service directory of Canadian, traditionally published authors and illustrators available for in-person and virtual presentations.
                  • Get booked for presentations and events through promotion of your author/illustrator presentations to schools, libraries, conferences, festivals and other organizations seeking Canadian children’s book creators.
                  • Customized author/illustrator profile on the Authors’ Booking Service website, including your bio, author headshot, presentation information, book cover gallery (up to 6 covers), contact/booking form and SEO.
                  • Booking and inquiry support – Authors’ Booking Service helps connect schools, libraries and other organizations with the right author or illustrator for their programming needs.
                  • Promotion and amplification of your professional profile and social media through opportunities to share and spotlight your books, presentations, events, news and achievements.
                  • Monthly newsletters to educators and librarians featuring calls to action to book Authors’ Booking Service members for school and library visits, both in-person and virtual.
                  • Announcements of professional opportunities including grants, residencies, festivals, conferences and other opportunities for authors and illustrators, with application deadlines where available.
                  • Members-only monthly Zoom sessions featuring professional development, industry insights, peer discussion and opportunities to connect with fellow creators.
                  • Professional resources and support to help you develop, refine and promote your school and library presentations, including guidance on presentation offerings and virtual programming.
                  • Opportunities for collective promotion that raise the profile of Canadian children’s authors and illustrators and help connect members with educators, librarians and the broader children’s book community.

                  Campbell, Duncan (Toronto, ON)

                  Bilingual (English with some Spanish words) early elementary picture book in rhyming verse for all ages.

                  In-Person Workshops: $200 plus HST for 1 session of 20-60 minutes, $350 for 2, $500 for 3 and $650 for 4, + travel (60 cents per kilometer for SW Ontario).

                  Virtual Workshops: $150 plus HST for one session of 20-60 minutes, $125 for each additional session on the same day.

                  Books

                  Duncan admits that he’s always alert
                  For words he can use for a rhyme
                  Putting them into relatable verses
                  That hopefully you think sound fine
                  Sometimes it all comes out awesome
                  Sometimes it’s almost divine
                  And you can be sure that the best ones
                  Will cost you much more than a dime!

                  … But if you should find that your wallet
                  Is currently looking quite thin
                  He’ll do it for less than what’s written
                  So we can all have a big win!

                  Duncan has been playing with words all his life, is a terminal rhyming addict, and all three of his children have nominated him for the “Lethal Punster Award.” He is a writer of prose, poetry, and songs, an experienced speaker, and skilled in doing workshops with audiences of all ages on diverse subjects, including how to do rhyming poetry. He has travelled the world, working with a broad array of cultures and people groups, especially in Africa and Latin America. His areas of expertise include international relief and development, travel and adventure, cross-cultural experiences, and, of course, rhyming! Duncan is an experienced children’s worker, with over 30-years of teaching short, appealing lessons to children ages 4 and up, singing songs with actions, and organising fun games. He tailors his talks to each group, and is available to do multiple talks or workshops over the course of the day. He can share from his 30 years of international experiences, and from his life-long writing journey to finally becoming a published author. Duncan would be especially happy to do joint talks, presentations, and workshops with Ashlee Campbell, the main author of Señora Sanasana. (See Ashlee’s profile for more details.)

                  Examples of workshop options:

                  All presentations available in English, Spanish, French, or a combination of language of instruction.

                  JK- Gr. 2:

                  • Duncan only: 30–60-minute workshop, reading Señora Sanasana out loud, discussion about some of the verses and how they rhyme, definition of a rhyme, how to find rhymes and make rhyming verses, use of a Thesaurus, exercises to write one rhyming verse couplet and volunteers to share. Includes speaker-led, multilingual “brain breaks” for children such as fun games and action songs.
                  • With Ashlee: 60–75-minute workshop, Ashlee leading with study of character creation or learning the Spanish words, including exercises and sharing. (See Ashlee Campbell’s profile for more details.) Duncan would follow with the rhyming component and help with breaks throughout.

                  Gr. 3-6:

                  • Duncan only: 30–60-minute workshop, study more rhymes from Señora Sanasana, deeper dive into concept of rhyming and Thesaurus usage, longer exercise in writing rhyming verses.
                  • With Ashlee: 60–75-minute workshop, Ashlee leading, deeper dive into character creation based on common nursery rhymes, sayings and idiomatic expressions, longer writing activity, group discussions, and more sharing by students. (See Ashlee Campbell’s profile for more details.) Duncan intervening for rhyming components integrated throughout the workshop, and assisting with brain break games and action songs.

                  Highschool and Adult:

                  • Duncan only: 45–90-minute workshop, deeper and longer dive into the concept and practice of rhyming, creating rhyming verse, Thesaurus usage, increased content creation time to write a full poem or story in rhyming verse, and everyone sharing and critiquing each other.
                  • With Ashlee: 60-90-minute workshop, or two sessions for increased content creation time. Character creation as above, with discussion of “own voice” stories and introduction to constructive writing critique groups. (See Ashlee Campbell’s profile for details.) Duncan adding rhyming analysis, exercises, and critique throughout.

                  Duncan and Ashlee also take workshops on request.

                  All Venues. All Group Sizes. Equipment required: A table or podium. A microphone for larger groups and when room acoustics require it. A screen and projector for power-point and videos.

                  Contact Duncan to book a visit: