Leatherdale, Mary Beth (Toronto, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. SCBWI. CANSCAIP.  Mary Beth’s rates are $300 for one session, $500 for two, $800 for three. HST applies to all sessions. No travel costs within Toronto or if I am in your city. www.marybethleatherdale.com

Mary Beth Leatherdale is the award-winning author and editor of many books for children and youth, including You Can Be an Activist, Terry Fox and Me, and Stormy Seas. Her books have received many starred reviews and have won or been shortlisted for awards including the Silver Birch Award, the Norma Fleck Award, the YALSA Excellence in Non-Fiction for Young Adults Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, and have been selected for readers’ choice awards in Ontario, British Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Texas, and Bangkok. Mary Beth has presented at schools and libraries in Ontario, British Columbia, Missouri, Texas, and Turkey. Her work has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Korean, German, and Turkish.

Before becoming a freelance editor, Mary Beth was the editorial director at Owlkids and the editor of Chirp and OWL magazines. She has a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE).

 Ms. Leatherdale’s book, Stormy Seas, and the personal rapport she was able to develop with our students during her virtual visit have made a lasting impact on this next generation.

Alice McGoldrick, St. Rita’s School, Dallas, Texas

PRESENTATION STYLE SCHOOL VISITS:

JK- Gr. 3 – True Stories With a Twist
Storytelling session with two of her picture books plus Q & A. For older children she shares a PowerPoint presentation, focusing on the challenges of finding a fresh take on a familiar story and showing how an idea turns into a book.


Gr. 4-8: – When the Water is Safer than the Land
This social-justice-related presentation focuses on Mary Beth’s award-winning book STORMY SEAS. In an interactive presentation, students are invited to take on the roles of the young boat refugees featured in the book. Through discussion and PowerPoint resources, we explore the factors that force families to leave their home, the difficult choices asylum seekers must make, the challenges of adapting to and the contributions immigrants make in their a new home. Works best in a classroom or library space.


Gr. 4-8: You Can Be an Activist
Want to make a positive impact on the world? But not sure how? Drawing from the You Can Be an Activist handbook, this interactive presentation leads students through a workshop on how they can use their own strengths, passions, and interests to create social change that benefits people and the planet in their community and beyond. Practical tips on choosing a cause, setting goals, making a plan and leading a team will be discussed. As well, there will be an opportunity for student-directed learning on human rights and social justice issues.

*ALL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIRTUAL VISITS.

Mary Beth is happy to adapt her presentations to meet the curriculum needs of teachers. Educator’s guides are available online.

Contact Mary Beth:

    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

    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:

      Rasberry, Gary (Kingston)

      Gary Rasberry Philosopher. Poet. Imagination Consultant. Musician. Artist. Educator. Juno-nominated children’s artist. Award-winning classroom creativity workshop facilitator. Workshop rates: $250 for one, $450 for two, $650 for three,$850 for four. Concert rates: Same as above for divisional concerts (JK, Primary, Junior, Intermediate). Full school performance: $550. Combo day: three workshops plus full school performance: $1000, plus travel. Continue reading “Rasberry, Gary (Kingston)”

      Hune, Bernice (Toronto)

      Storytellers of Canada. Gold Mountain Stories. Traditional Asian folklore & Canada’s immigrant history (FDK – 12). Per session, 80-100 students. Three Sessions $625 + travel from Toronto. Continue reading “Hune, Bernice (Toronto)”

      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)”

      Sherrard, Valerie (Miramichi NB)

      Valerie Sherrard

      GG nominated, award-winning author.

      Virtual Visit: $225.00 for a 60 minute presentation.

      In school visits: $300 for a single presentation or $550 for two at one location. Full day workshop 700.00.  Expenses are included in all fees. For in-school visit dates — please contact Valerie and she will let you know when she plans to be in Ontario.

      Valerie is an experienced presenter (in-person and virtual visits) who uses humour and an interactive style to engage her audience. Feedback from her school and library visits has been enthusiastic.

      Birdspell Corbin Hayes is used to being alone. His mom’s illness means lost jobs, constant moves, new schools and friendships that never get to grow. So, when a classmate offers Corbin the talking bird she can no longer keep, he sees a chance to fill the gap in his life. But when things begin to spiral out of control, Corbin can no longer cope. At his lowest moment, he’s forced to do the one thing he fears the most. Young Adult.

      Finding Avalon  Avalon Monday doesn’t mind telling schoolmates that her mother ran off with a guy she met on the internet. After all, that’s way less embarrassing than the truth. But when the past collides with the present, exposing her secret and threatening to leave her new life in ruins, Avalon discovers there are some things you can never truly leave behind.

      Cooper Clark and the Dragon Lady  (Chapter Book) Desperate measures are called for when a boy is secretly afraid of dragons, but his new babysitter is rumoured to have a dragon in her basement!

      Presentations: I will present to grades 1 – 9. A signed bookmark or postcard will be provided for each student at all in-person presentations.

      Grades 1 – 3: There’s a COW Under My Bed! or Down Here! Fun and interactive talk about expressions and language, and students’ own creative abilities. Reading with audience participation. I end with a short Q & A. For these grades you may book two half hour presentations in the place of a single 60 minute session if you prefer.

      Middle Grades: Engaging interactive presentation on literacy, with or without issue-based segments depending on the book being presented. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

      Young Adult: Engaging and interactive presentation on literacy, believing in oneself and a variety of writing or issue related topics, depending on the requested focus. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

      Workshop for grades 6 and up: A Story’s Voice. This full day workshop is designed to help young people develop distinctive voices in their writing by examining the way character, setting, perspective, dialogue, tense etc. impact in telling a story. Writing exercises will demonstrate how each of these support a story in different ways, and help them to recognize which components will work best for their stories. Limited to 15 participants. Available virtually – contact to discuss a suitable arrangement.

      I am flexible on audience size but in my experience, smaller in-person groups result in the greatest benefit to students. I am comfortable in all settings, including classroom, library, auditorium or gymnasium.

      A sound system may be necessary depending on audience size, acoustics and the number of presentations booked.

      Contact Valerie:

        McKay, Sharon (Burlington ON)

        Writers’ Union Member. Sharon travels across Canada several times a year. Sharon E. McKay (Mick-EYE) writes fact-based fiction for young adults. Multi-awards, all ages.

        Flat fee of $900 for a full day, four sessions and includes a free (optional) brown-bag lunch for anyone interested in writing. Flat fee of $600 for an afternoon. Parents and media are welcome in all sessions.

        Virtual Visits: $150, 60 minutes, Skype. Continue reading “McKay, Sharon (Burlington ON)”

        Storms, Patricia (Toronto)

        Writers’ Union Member. Fun and funny cartoonist, children’s illustrator and picture book author and ukulele lady. $300 + HST for 1 session, $500 for 2, $800 for 3 and $1,000 for 4. Continue reading “Storms, Patricia (Toronto)”

        Boudreau, Hélène (Markham ON)

        Not available for bookings at this time. Writers’ Union Member. Parents’ Choice Award. Fiction. Non-Fiction. Humour. Picture Book. Middle Grade. Tween. K to 8. Hélène’s rate is $250 for one 45-60 min session, $450 for 2, $650 for 3, $850 for 4 (max 4 per day), plus travel by car. HST extra. Continue reading “Boudreau, Hélène (Markham ON)”

        Zweig, Eric (Owen Sound ON)

        Writers’ Union Member. Hockey historian and author. Available for school and library visits. Eric’s rate is $300 for one session, $500 for two, or $750 for three, plus HST. Mileage costs can often be negotiated for multiple bookings or for presentations in the GTA. For virtual visits, the fee is $200 per session.
        Continue reading “Zweig, Eric (Owen Sound ON)”