Smith, Sadé (Mississauga, ON)

Blue Spruce Award nominee for the Forest of Reading 2023 for her debut children’s picture book Granny’s Kitchen illustrated by Ken Daley. TWUC member.

Rates: $250 plus HST for one session, $450 for two, $675 for three, $900 for a full day (four sessions). Plus a travel fee of $0.68/km if outside Toronto or Peel.

Virtual visits: $150 plus HST for one session (60 minutes), $100 for each additional session on the same day to a maximum of four sessions.

Sadé Smith is a Canadian children’s book author of Jamaican descent. Her books often involve food with colorful illustrations to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the Caribbean islands. In addition to writing, Sadé is also a design technologist and she is very passionate about literature. She writes books of representation for young readers. She provides games, activities, book readings and writing workshops for young students aged 3-8 (grades Kindergarten to grade 3).

This collaborative school/library presentation includes:

  • Author introduction and background / biography
  • Introduction on writing / inspiration for the book
  • Showing of the Shelly-Ann or Julie doll. May be passed around (depending on age and size of group)
  • Social media handles and website / contact information. Information on where and how to purchase the book. Information about upcoming books and projects.
  • Information about the “Kidz Korner” tab on the Sadé Smith website where students may find fun activities and download reading and writing templates for their own use.

Julie and the Mango Tree Presentation includes: Topics about Jamaican fruits, culture and mangoes!

Fun activities involving the many varieties of mangoes around the world and Caribbean fruits. (Guess the name of the Jamaican fruit). Play a Jamaican trivia game called How Much Do You Know About Jamaica?

A live reading of JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE followed by a Question and Comment period.

Granny’s Kitchen Presentation includes: Topics about family, Jamaican food, culture, language and fun facts that are located on the back page of the Granny’s Kitchen book.

A fun activity involving live props (and/or a digital presentation) of cooking utensils, equipment, Caribbean foods and fruits. (Guess the name of the food/fruit/kitchen items). This is a fun and educational way for the readers/listeners to learn about new things and foods that they may not know about.

A live reading of GRANNY’S KITCHEN followed by a Question and Comment period.

Writing Workshops include: Introduction on writing a book. Ideas to find inspiration for writing a book. An in-depth step-by-step tutorial on writing a children’s picture book using the Writing Templates format from the “Kidz Korner”.

Let’s write a story! The students will write a short story together by using the Writing Templates and what they learned from the step-by-step tutorial. Students/classes may continue illustrating the book(s) and putting it together on their own time as a class assignment after the workshop.

Note: Workshops are 60 minutes in length and split into two parts to accommodate for a younger audience.

To encourage interaction during in-person presentations, Sadé would prefer to meet with smaller groups at a time with a maximum of 4 groups per day.

Equipment Required:

  • One table for presentation items and materials
  • Separate table and chair to accommodate for book sales and signings (if requested)
  • Computer with projector or television screen for displaying PowerPoint presentation from a USB drive or laptop
  • Blank paper and crayons (if children would like to draw their own flag).

Note: Author will bring all required decorations and props needed for presentation.

Contact Sadé to book a visit:

    O’Connor, Heather (Peterborough, ON).

    Writers’ Union of Canada member. Presentations and writing workshops in English. Kindergarten to Grade 12.

    Virtual visits (45 minutes): $150+HST. Virtual kindies (Two 20-minute sessions): $150+HST. In-person visits (45-60 minutes): $250+HST for one session, $450+HST for two, $600+HST for three, $800+HST for a full day (4 sessions). Kindies: two 25-minute sessions for $250+HST. Mileage for visits 100+ km from Peterborough.

    Heather M. O’Connor’s new picture book Fast Friends is a 2021 Blue Spruce Award nominee. She writes fiction and nonfiction for kids and teens.

    Heather is an enthusiastic presenter. She uses fun activities and clear, kid-friendly examples to engage with young audiences. “What it’s like to write a book? A lot like doing a school project,” she explains. Heather’s workshops and presentations can be tailored to your classroom. Most come with curriculum connections, follow-up activities and teacher resources.

    Presentations:
    Book talks

    Fast Friends (Blue-Spruce-nominated picture book)
    Suze and Tyson become friends speedy-quick, even though Suze is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. This story is inspired by Heather’s daughter Suze and her friends growing up. Themes and curriculum connections: body language, mime, inclusion, friendship, welcoming newcomers, working with
    an illustrator.

    Betting Game (high-action sports novel for readers 10+, ideal for reluctant readers)
    Jack is a hotshot soccer player. When a new player joins the team, Jack gets drawn into gambling. Heather plays soccer herself. To research this book, she toured the Toronto FC Training Ground and met TFC head coach Greg Vanney. Themes and curriculum connections: soccer, research techniques, friendship, asking for help, teen gambling.

    A writer’s life

    • So you want to be a writer (Spoiler alert – It’s a lot like being a student)
    • Digging up the facts: Research anecdotes and tips
    • Even authors need an editor: Revising process, tips and hacks, exercises
    • All roads lead to writing: Careers in writing (ideal for Grade 10 Careers)

    Creative writing for young writers

    • “What ifs” and “I wonders” (gathering ideas)
    • Going on a Bear Hunt (conflict and tension)
    • Let’s tell a story (plot)
    • World-building (setting)
    • Story polish (revision)

    Creative writing for older kid and teens and adults

    • Writer’s craft: Hands-on sessions that focus on a single element of story (character, setting, point of view,
    • conflict, plot, theme.) Book four elements, get fifth free.
    • Short story writing
    • Revision

    Nonfiction presentations and hands-on writing workshops
    Heather’s been a freelance writer for almost 20 years. Her favourite news beat is LesPlan Educational Services. Bring her in to work with your students.

    • Ask the right questions: Interview techniques
    • Google doesn’t know everything: Research methods (archives, newspapers, oral histories)
    • Persuade me!: Persuasive writing
    • News or opinion: What’s the difference?
    • Writing the news (interviews, outlines, 5 Ws, inverted triangle writing)

    Books titles and awards:
    Fast Friends, Scholastic Canada, 2020. Picture book. Blue Spruce nominee, 2021 Forest of Reading. Toronto Public Library First and Best, 2020.
    Betting Game, Orca Book Publishers, 2015. Young adult high-low sports novel. Recommended title, Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2015. Highly recommended, CM Magazine.
    Runs with the Stars, Second Story, Spring 2022. Dual language picture book, written with Darcy Whitecrow.

    Audience size and equipment needed:
    Classroom or school library preferred. Will present in gyms or auditoriums if microphone provided. Please supply podium and table, and if possible, a digital projector and screen.

    Contact Heather to book a visit…