Tag: family

Daniel-Ayoade, Yewande (Calgary, Alberta)

Writer’s Union, CANSCAIP, SCBWI member. Author Visits (grades K-4), Writing Workshops (grades 5-12), Black History Month presentation (grades K-12).

Rates: $300 plus GST for one session, $500 for two, $750 for three, $1000 for a full day (four sessions). Plus, travel expenses if outside the Calgary area.

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

Willing to travel. Schools may consider booking together to split travel expenses.

Yewande Daniel is a management consultant and children’s book author of Nigerian descent. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration. Her writing focuses on introducing children to West African history and culture and draws heavily on her own immigrant experience.​ Yewande has done author visits for five years, taught large groups of children in a Sunday School setting for over twenty years, led virtual sessions as part of the Calgary Public Library’s Ultimate Summer Challenge, and delivered Black History Month presentations about the history of Blacks in Canada to schools in the Calgary area.

Presentation Details

Grades K-2

1 one-hour, or 2 thirty-minute presentations may include:

  • Author introduction and writing journey
  • Basics of story writing with games and practice exercises
  • Book reading and author Q&A

Grades 3-4

1-hour presentation includes:

  • Author introduction and writing journey
  • Behind the scenes – how a book gets published
  • Basics of story writing with games and practice exercises
  • Book reading and author Q&A

Grades 5 and up

1 to 2-hour workshop includes:

  • Author introduction and writing journey
  • Make your own picture book
    • Coming up with story ideas
    • Creating a rough draft
    • Outlining a picture book dummy

Kids in this workshop receive a free blank book to bring their story to life. Kids may complete the picture book as part of follow-on class assignment or at home.

Black History Month (all ages)

This highly interactive session introduces students to the history of blacks in Canada and includes:

  • A timeline of blacks in Canada
  • Black people that changed the world
  • Dealing with stereotypes

Can be customized to include any topics pertaining to black history.

School presentation requirements: a computer and projector for PowerPoint, a microphone for presentations in gyms. Students can be seated at desks or on the floor.

Workshop requirements: a whiteboard or paper flip-chart (along with markers). Paper and writing / drawing utensils.

Contact Daniel-Ayoade to book a visit:

    Thompson, Julie (Whitby, ON)

    The Writer’s Union of Canada, Society of Children’s Book Writers, Writer’s Union of Canada 2024 Grant Recipient.

    In-person rates:  $400 for one session, $750 for two, $1100 for three and $1400 for four, + travel (.68 cents per km, round-trip within the GTAH). Each session runs between 45 – 60 minutes. Virtual Visits: $300 a session. Each session runs between 45 – 60 minutes.

    Julie will collaborate with teacher’s and librarians to tailor her presentation to meet curriculum requirements. Students and staff can purchase signed copies of “When Isaac Hears the Rain.” Contact Julie for details.

    Julie Thompson creates stories that reflect and celebrate the lived experiences of children everywhere. As a mother of two boys, Julie is especially drawn to books that honor Black Boy Joy. She hopes that her stories will encourage open dialogue within families and their communities.

    Julie’s stories are inspired by the people, places, and experiences that have shaped her 27-year career in youth services, community outreach, and law enforcement. She lives with her two sons in Toronto, where she teaches yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation. Julie is eager to meet with you and your students.

      Levels: Grades 1-3

      Key themes: curiosity, environment, mindfulness, friendship, kindness, family, diversity, black boy joy

      Maximum group sizes for presentations: 30 kids ideal.

      JK 45-60 minutes. Author reading session ((When Issac Hears the Rain)

       with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

      Grade 1-2: 45 to 60 minutes: Author reading session (When Isaac Hears the Rain). Question and Answer with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

      Grade 3: 45 to 60 minutes: 45 to 60 minutes: Author reading session (When Isaac Hears the Rain). Question and Answer with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

      Presentations are preferred in the library.

      Equipment needs for in-person visits:  Table, stool, a microphone for larger groups or 30 or in the gym. A screen and projector to connect computer. Teacher/librarian must be present.

      Contact Julie to book a visit:

        Maheshwari, Priti (Cambridge, ON)

        Priti Birla Maheshwari is an award-winning children’s author and teacher. She is the recipient of the 2023 CCBC and TD Grade One Book Giveaway, as well as many other awards for her debut picture book Chaiwala! (illustrated by Ashley Barron, published by OwlKids Books 2021).

        Priti is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP). She gives English and French language presentations and workshops for grades K-3 in the category of fiction.

        In-person rates: $400 for 1 session, $650 for 2, $900 for 3 and $1100 for 4, + travel (.68 cents per kilometre, round-trip for SW ON).

        Virtual Visits: $300 for one session, 45-60 minutes, $200 for each additional session on the same day.

        Priti is an experienced educator and speaker who tailors each presentation to the group in front of her through fun interactive sessions. She can do up to four daily presentations in the same school. As the author of a picture book and an early reader chapter book series, Priti can offer a vast range of workshops for kindergarten to grade 3 students.

        She will gladly collaborate with teachers and/or librarians to customize visits to meet the children’s interests and the teachers’ curriculum requirements. Students and staff have the option to order personalized, signed books which will be delivered to their school. Priti will provide ordering instructions.

        In-person visits:

        Priti begins with a PowerPoint presentation that immerses the students in the sounds and sights of India. This is followed by an interactive reading session and then an art activity where the students make personalized teacups.

        Participatory Reading & Activities: Age level: K – grade 1; Duration 45-60 minutes. Best for up to 30 students for optimal engagement.

        Priti introduces students to facts about India and a fun participatory reading session of Chaiwala! Priti also discusses idea generation and the inspiration for the story. This includes a small moment activity and an art activity.

        Key concepts: diversity, arts

        Key themes: curiosity, exploration, family and traditions, cultural appreciation

        Explore a Book! Age level: Grades 1-3; Duration: 45-60 minutes. Appropriate for classroom visits.

        Students will explore the picture book Chaiwala! through the lens of a reader, writer, and artist. They’ll discover how the author and illustrator work together to create a picture book, and how the world in which we live is interconnected with “small moments”. Students will do an activity on what makes a moment special and end with an art activity.

        Key concepts: picture book creation, writing process

        Key themes: curiosity, exploration

        Levels: Grades 1-3

        Equipment needs for in-person visits:

        • Laptop with PowerPoint – presentation is on a USB stick (or Priti can bring her own laptop if it can be connected to the school projector)
        • SmartBoard or digital projector and screen for presentation
        • Microphone if the space is larger than a classroom
        • Table to set materials
        • Chair or stool

        For virtual visits, school Zoom account (or similar). Student supplies depend on the session which will be discussed before the visit. The teacher or librarian must be present for all presentations, virtual or in-person.

        Contact Priti to book a visit:

          Camlot, Heather (Toronto, ON)

          Writers’ Union Member. Fiction and nonfiction writer.

          Heather’s rates are $300 for one session, $550 for two, $800 for three. For virtual presentations: $300 for one session, $500 for two. HST applies to all sessions. No travel costs within Toronto or if I am in your city (I travel to Montreal several times a year). Able to present in English and French.

          Heather is an award-winning children’s author, journalist, editor and translator. Her two middle-grade novels, CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE, received Skipping Stones Honor Awards and nominations for Forest of Reading, among other honors. CLUTCH was also named a 2017 Best Book from Kirkus Reviews.

          CCBC Book Awards: David Booth Award for Children’s and Youth Poetry nominee

          The Other Side Heather Camlot

          Heather is also an accomplished nonfiction writer. SECRET SCHOOLS and THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER were named Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? True Stories of Imagination and Determination received a Skipping Stones Honor Award. Her next nonfiction book, Becoming Bionic and Other Ways Science is Making Us Super,

          In her presentations, Heather aims to entertain and educate, leaving the audience interested in writing fiction and nonfiction as well as looking into their own history for inspiration.

          PRESENTATIONS (60 minutes, grades 3+)


          Heather engages students with a fun and interactive presentation, customized to audience and interest.

          • Generally speaking: Heather shares the inspiration and the challenges of writing works that delve into history and social justice. She also discusses the basic elements of writing fiction and/or nonfiction, how to give stories life through research and why bringing the past to the present is so important. Q&A session and reading are included.
          • What does it mean to be a superhero?: This STEM/STEAM-related presentation draws on BECOMING BIONIC. We’ll delve get into how science is turning us into superbeings – powering up our bodies with what we may not have been born with and what we may never have thought we’d need. We’ll discuss what those powers look like in the real world, based on the sections of Becoming Bionic. We’ll create our own superhero identities and answer the ultimate question: Cape or no cape.
          • Stand up and speak out: This social-justice-related presentation, based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER, begins with a quote from Captain Alfred Dreyfus: “My only crime is to have been born a Jew.” How would students fill in the last word of Captain Dreyfus’s quote to reflect their lives or world around them? We’ll discuss the meaning of social justice, play a game of news fact vs news fiction, and discuss ways to stand up and speak out.

          Maximum presentation size: 100 for virtual presentations; 60 for in-person reading/Q&A. Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

          WORKSHOPS (60 minutes, grades 3+)

          • Look no further: A simple moment can kickstart the writing process. Students choose a moment in their own lives or family history and turn into a work of fiction or nonfiction. Based on CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE.
          • What’s news?: Bias in the media is not difficult to spot. This session will delve into media literacy and how to determine if what you’re reading is fact…or fiction. I’ll test students’ knowledge of news fact vs news fiction through a fun game and we’ll create a reference guide to better judge whether what they are reading, seeing, hearing is objective, biased or completely fake. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER.
          • A single object: A single object can inspire an entire world. Students will begin with an “item of interest” and learn how to add different layers — setting, storyline, character, big reveal — to build a short story. Based on THE OTHER SIDE.
          • Just the facts: How do you write a nonfiction book that makes tough subjects compelling and easy to understand all the while ensuring it stick to the truth? Based on her nonfiction books.
          • Get activ-ist!: “What cause would you defend…and how would you defend it?” We’ll discuss various forms of activism and what is important to students right now. We’ll come up with methods to get messages across and students will put ideas into action by creating a poster for their cause. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER and I CAN’T DO WHAT?
          • Customized topic: Heather is happy to tailor workshops to your needs and audience, including educators and the general public. Topics can include social injustice, advocacy, World War II, the Holocaust, antisemitism, soccer, baseball, media literacy, arts and entertainment, etc.

          Maximum workshop size: 30 (flexible).
          Equipment required: Flip chart and markers, screen and projector, microphone and podium (for large rooms), paper and pencils (for workshops). Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

          Heather offers the services of professional editing, copyediting, proofreading and
          translating. She also provides manuscript evaluations – fiction and nonfiction.

          Contact Heather to book a visit:

            Kress, Adrienne (Toronto, ON)

            Writers’ Union Member. Winner of the Heart of Hawick Award (UK). Shortlisted for the Red Cedar (BC), MYRCA (Manitoba) and Audie Awards (USA). OLA Best Bet. Many of her books have been optioned for TV/Film.

            Grade 4 – Adult

            Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical, Friendship, Horror, Reluctant Reader

            $300+HST for a single session; $500+HST for two sessions; $900+HST for a full day. Prices for larger groups, workshops, panels, etc., to be negotiated*. For outside the Toronto area, add kilometrage/accommodation. Virtual Visits $100 – $200

            ABOUT:

            Adrienne Kress is an enthusiastic and creative presenter with a background in acting that makes her engaging for audiences of all ages. She has toured with TD Children’s Book Week and presented at MASC in Ottawa. She is a Toronto-born actor and author who, so far, has twelve novels to her credit (with an upcoming graphic novel in 2025), as well as essays, plays, screenplays and short stories. She has spoken to children and adults in a large variety of circumstances, from school assemblies and classroom workshops to writers’ associations and conference panels. Her presentations have taken her across Canada, the United Kingdom and the US. Adrienne is a dynamic, skilful speaker, insightful, knowledgeable and fun to be with.

            PRESENTATIONS/READINGS/WORKSHOPS

            “Adrienne first visited our school for a book reading and discussion about her writing career. We were so impressed with her dynamic and engaging approach to children that we immediately looked for other opportunities to bring this very talented individual back to the school. The almost-instantaneous connection she has made with our students is a testament to her extraordinary ability to work with young people.”

            – Jonathan Harris, Head of School, Fieldstone Day School

            READINGS:

            Readings based on middle grade books are geared towards children in grades 4, 5, 6 and 7.  They are 45 minutes to 11⁄2 hours in length depending on needs. She is comfortable with any group size. She has spoken to small groups in a cozy huddle on the floor in a library and to large groups of a couple of hundred in gyms and auditoriums.

            As a passionate author, professional actor and teacher, Adrienne brings a large array of skills to her readings.  She starts with a short talk about “how a book gets published” and “working with your editors is like working with your teacher,” continues with a dramatic reading from one of the books and ends with a question period and a book signing opportunity. When her session arises from one of her more swashbuckling books, Adrienne is happy to add a fencing lesson (no swords required!).

            PRESENTATIONS:

            Presentations can be geared to any audience, for example, Writer’s Craft classes, writers’ groups, book clubs.   The length of the presentation varies according to the needs of the group, but is most often 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours in length.  The content can be individualized to suit the interests of the group, but usually covers topics like the trials and tribulations of getting published (including how to get a literary agent), the writing process, working with an editor, identifying your audience, trends in modern literature and the importance of studying past works and authors.

            WORKSHOPS:

            “It was all amazing, Adrienne Kress is a fantastic author and person, she is very engaging and super nice.”

            “I really liked all the exercises, and how all the exercises really make you think. I think it really helped with my writing!”

            — MASC Young Authors & Illustrators Student Participants

            Workshops can be geared to any audience, for example, elementary school students, Writer’s Craft classes, writers’ groups, book clubs. The length of the presentation varies according to the needs of the group but is most often 1 1⁄2 hours to 3 hours in length, though it can be expanded.  The content usually covers topics like honing your writing skills, creating your own voice, creating a “world” for your stories, the use of dialogue, humour – its types and where to use it ­­– identifying your audience, etc. 

            Comfortable in all venues. Equipment required: A glass of water, a microphone for larger groups or in the gym, a screen and projector for power-point.

            To book Adrienne email:

              Groth, Darren (Vancouver)

               

               

               

               

               

               

              Vancouver BC. Writers’ Union Member. Aussie adopted by Canada; Finalist in GG Lit Awards and BC Book Prizes, multi awards in Australia.

              Fees: $300 for 1 session, $500 for 2, $700 for 3, 850 for 4 (plus HST). A day can be
              shared between two cooperating schools. For the GTA (and Toronto bookings near GO stations), Darren can GO TRAIN (not buses or subway) travel both ways all day; he requires pick up and drop off at the GO stations. Where GO Trains are not feasible, car or taxi pick-up from Darren’s hotel is requested.

              Virtual Visits: $100 plus HST, 30 minutes; $150 plus HST, 60 minutes FaceTime.

              Continue reading “Groth, Darren (Vancouver)”

              Winters, Kari-Lynn (St. Catharines)

              St. Catharines. Writers’ Union Member. World traveling picture book and non-fiction author, storyteller, and performer. $375.00 for one session (50-55 min), $600.00 2nd 50-55 min session, $850.00 3rd 50-55 min session, $1000.00 4th 50-55 min session. 30 min. sessions for kindergarten are $175.00 when booked with at least of one full 55 min session + return travel to St. Catharines.
              Continue reading “Winters, Kari-Lynn (St. Catharines)”