Member of The Writers’ Union of Canada; the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers; and the Society of Environmental Journalists. Winner: City of Victoria Butler Book Prize; Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society Book Award for BC Authors. Finalist: Green Earth Book Award (x2); Young Readers’ Choice Book Awards of BC Red Cedar Award (x3); Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award; Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award; City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize; Lane Anderson Award; VanCity Book Prize; Edna Staebler Award for Creative Nonfiction. Other book honours: Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection (x2); National Science Teaching Association and Children’s Book Council Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K–12 (x3).
In-person: $300 for one session; $500 for two (same day, same location); $700 for three (same day, same location). 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.
- Bison: Community Builders and Grasslands Caretakers is a finalist in the Youth/Middle-Grade category for the 2026 High Plains International Book Awards.
- 2025 BC Red Cedar Book Award Nominee
- 2025/2026 Young Readers’ Choice Book Awards of British Columbia’s Red Cedar Award
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
These STEAM/STEM-related presentations run 45-60 minutes and are best suited to grades 3 to 7. I use slides and props (handed around if group size permits) to illustrate ideas, and read short selections from my books to encourage student reading. Each presentation includes a participant activity and time for Q&A. Topics and themes include nature, environment, ecology, conservation, biodiversity, human-wildlife relationships, and citizen science.
Better With Bison
Bison – also known as buffalo – are North America’s largest land animal, but that’s just one of their claims to fame. They are also an important keystone species whose range once covered most of what is now the United States, western Canada and northern Mexico, and they are foundational to many Indigenous cultures. In this presentation, I talk about how bison were nearly hunted to extinction, how they were saved and why returning bison to the land is so beneficial. I also share the stories of some of the young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who are welcoming bison back home and are profiled in my book, Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers (winner of a 2025 Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society Book Award for BC Authors).
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 2025/26 Red Cedar Award nominee, 2024/25 Yellow Cedar Award nominee and 2025 Green Earth Book Award finalist)
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 and 2024 Green Earth Book Award finalist).
Amazing Beavers
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 (a 2022/23 Red Cedar Award nominee and Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award nominee).
Wild About Wildlife
Many kids are animal lovers, just as I was. This presentation reflects on what it means to be wild about wildlife and offers inspiration from young people who are helping to make the world a better place for animals they care about. During the presentation:
- I share some of the cool facts that I’ve learned about beavers, grizzly bears, owls and bison while writing books about these animals.
- I talk about my journey from being a nature-loving kid to a biologist whose professional adventures included doing hands-on grizzly bear research to an animal-book author. I also discuss what it’s like to be a writer, with a focus on the process of writing non-fiction books.
- I introduce students to some of the young people who are featured in my books and talk about what being “wild about wildlife” means to each of them.
- I lead students through an activity that invites them to explore their own relationship with wildlife.
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 Owls: Who Gives a Hoot?, Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness, and Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers.
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. To ensure a successful presentation, at least one educator/librarian must remain in class for the duration of the session.
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.
