Charlene Chua (she/they) is an author-illustrator & member of SCBWI and CANSCAIP. She presents for JK-2, or for highschool upwards.
Virtual visits start from $150 for a half hour presentation (JK-2), $200 for 1h presentation (highschool/adults). In-person presentations please email.
HST is extra. Travel fees apply for in-person presentations (the author does not drive).
Charlene is the author-illustrator of Hug?, as well as the illustrator on numerous picture books. Books she has worked on have been shortlisted for various awards including Blue Spruce, Silver Birch, LAMBA Literary, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award. Originally from Singapore, they moved to Canada in 2007, and currently live in Hamilton, ON.
Example presentations
Book reading + drawing demonstration (JK-2, approx. 20-30min)
Reading of a selected picture book, followed by a drawing demonstration based on the book. Q+A at the end.
Careers: How I became a picture book illustrator (Highschool-adult, approx. 60min)
Presentation of my career path from starting out in illustration to transitioning into a specialized illustrator for picture books
Other notes
For in-person presentations, I need a laptop and projector. For drawing activities, an easel with paper as well as paper, markers, crayons for the children to draw along with. In-person presentations for JK-2 max 30 per group, teacher/facilitator MUST be present (excepting festivals & events).
Author-Illustrator. Burlington, ON. Writers’ Union Member. Blue Spruce winner. Mainly K to 3, but also any age.
Virtual visit: $200 plus HST for one session, 20-60 minutes, and $150 for each additional on the same day.
In-person: $350 plus HST for 1 session, two for $600, three for $800 and four for $1000, + travel for destinations further than 50 km.
Rebecca has been working as an illustrator, designer, and art director in children’s publishing for over 10 years. She brings her expertise of book and story creation to her talks in hopes of generating a creative buzz among her audience. She is the author-illustrator of the popular Giraffe and Bird books and this year Giraffe and Bird Together Again has been nominated for the OLA Blue Spruce Award.
Presentation
Rebecca’s goal is to inspire children to imagine their own characters and stories and to act on it! The students will take part in creating illustrations, drawn live before their eyes, that will bring forth story ideas and animated discussion. She shares her journey of becoming an author-illustrator and her process for coming up with ideas. Rebecca requires an easel, chart paper, table, and a chair and prefers a maximum of 65 students per presentation.
For larger groups, a variation of this presentation is done with slides. Please note a projector and sound system is required for this option.
Workshop
Rebecca also offers a workshop on jump-starting a picture book. She shows the students how to go from creating a strong central character to a solid story idea. For this, tables or clipboards and basic drawing supplies are necessary.
The key to the success of my talks is stories—let extraordinary young activists deliver their hopeful and helpful messages in their own video-taped voices, or in their art and music. My aim is to inspire students to feel deeply, empower them to act responsibly, and motivate them to learn and think critically. By example, the activists show that by working together and making positive choices, even small efforts can make the world better and kinder.
Presentation rates:
Virtual 60-minute presentation rates:
One = $250
Two = $425
Three = $550
Four = $700
In person 60-minute presentation rates:
One = $350
Two = $550
Three = $750
Four = $950
Keynote for 150+ audience: $550
Add HST (13%)
*Special flat fee mileage: $25, $50 over 50k
Schools can share the day with a nearby school for additional savings.
The subject matter is best suited for grades 3 – 8.
Environmental & Climate Justice, animal protection, tree planting
First Nations: philosophy, values, water protection, education equity
Child rights & social justice: inequality, hunger, homelessness
Compassion & kindness, peace, Black Lives Matter, refugees,
In the days before the virtual visit, I send three 10-minute movies narrated by me, with excerpts from speeches and interviews of the featured activists. This allows students to prepare questions in advance of the hour-long Q & A.
The Climate Emergency: Kids to the Rescue!
Eco-Anxiety over the looming climate crisis is affecting many young people. When Greta Thunberg cried, “Our house is on fire!”, the world listened. Youth activism is making a profound difference. Speaking out and taking action is proving to be an antidote to children’s fear and worry about the future. Through inspiring true stories of young environmental and indigenous activists, this presentation encourages kids to learn the science, find their voice, and imagine a more sustainable way of living on our precious Earth.
First Nations Truth and Reconciliation:
Shannen Koostachin’s grade 8 class launched a national campaign for the right to a decent school in Attawapiskat First Nation—and won! This important true story raises awareness of contemporary FN issues such as inequality in education and services, true Aboriginal history and treaty rights, and the impact of residential schools. Shannen and the Dream for a School
Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action:
Hope and optimism is the antidote to the fear and worry young people are experiencing over disturbing news: the climate crisis, gun violence, racism, cyber-bullying, and animal extinctions, and on and on. Empowered child activists have taken action against injustice, inequity, and environmental degradation, and in doing so have made changes to improve their future. Children want to be part of the solution to the world’s problems. Our Future offers indigenous perspectives and simple suggestions to inspire the activist in all of us.
The Hero Within:
True heroes don’t need capes or radio-active rodent bites. They just need big hearts and the courage to be leaders, stand up for the rights of children, and take action against unfairness and injustice. Compassionate young role models show kids how they can make a difference and create a more equitable world.
Author-Illustrator. Burlington, ON. Writers’ Union Member. Blue Spruce winner. Mainly K to 3, but also any age.
