Tag: Ontario-based

Leatherdale, Mary Beth (Toronto, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Her picture book, middle grade and YA non-fiction have received many awards and accolades in Canada including Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, Silver Birch Honour Book, Red Maple nominee (2x), as well as in the U.S. (Excellence in Non-Fiction YALSA finalist, Kirkus Prize Nomination, Junior Library Guild Selection) and internationally (White Raven Award). $300 + HST for 1 hour presentation; $500 + HST for 2 + travel for locations outside Toronto.

Virtual Visits: $250 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype/Zoom/Google Talk. HST extra.

Mary Beth loves visiting schools and connecting with kids, sharing personal stories and engaging students with interactive activities. For more than 25 years, she has been involved with researching, developing and writing books, magazines and resources for students and educators. She holds a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE). Mary Beth’s books have been selected for readers’ choice awards in Ontario, British Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Texas and Bangkok. She has presented at schools and libraries in Ontario, British Columbia and Kansas City, Missouri.

Presentations:
JK- Gr. 3 – TERRY FOX AND ME: Storytelling session plus Q & A. For older children she includes a Powerpoint presentation, with an interactive look behind the curtain at how an idea becomes a book.
Gr. 4-8: STORMY SEAS: This presentation focuses on Mary Beth’s Silver Birch Honour 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 they must make, and the challenges of adapting to a new home. Works best in a classroom or library space.
Gr. 4 -8: WHAT WRITERS DO AND HOW THEY DO IT: As a writer and editor, Mary Beth has lots of experience in taking an idea and through perseverance and many drafts turning it into an award-winning book. Sharing fiction and non-fiction examples from both sides of the desk, Mary Beth will help students better understand real-life research, writing and revision process.
*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.

Grades: JK through 6
Maximum number of students per session: 60 for grades JK – 2, 80 for older grades
Setting: school library or classroom (no gyms, please!)
Requirements: digital projector, screen or Smartboard, a microphone if the presentation is more than 50 kids, small table. If a laptop is available at the school, let her know and she’ll bring her presentation on a USB flash drive.

Contact Mary Beth:

    Sher, Emil (Toronto, ON)

    Emil Sher - author photo

    Writers’ Union Member. Emil’s rates are (add HST) $350 for one session, $500 for two in the same half-day, $700 for three and $900 for four (max. 4 per day, min 2 per half-day if outside GTA). A limited number of subsidies are available for Unpacking the Holocaust: A Playwright’s Journey.

    Emil’s author visits have taken him across Ontario and to Quebec, Nova Scotia and the Yukon, and he has been warmly received by teachers and students alike.

    “Emil takes the students on an emotional, real and engaging journey through captivating visuals and heartfelt storytelling. Amazing!” (Clayton Park Junior High, Halifax)

    “Mr Sher – I think you should write a book about yourself. I think you should do more good work of teaching ‘cause it was amazing! Don’t change anything!” (Grey Mountain Primary School, Whitehorse)

    Emil writes for children of all ages, from babies to teens. His debut young adult novel, Young Man with Camera, was a Governor General’s Award finalist and described as “one of the few books for this generation that will stick with them into adulthood.” He has written acclaimed board books and picture books, and his adaptation of Hana’s Suitcase, the beloved book by Karen Levine, was heralded as “an exceptional means to teach young children about the Holocaust.”

    Young Man with Camera: Behind the Scenes (Grade 5 and up)
    Emil takes students behind the scenes of a novel punctuated with striking photographs. Students are given a glimpse of the writing process — how much of writing is rewriting — and then explore the book’s themes. In small groups they look at a photograph and are asked to make up a story about what might have happened beyond the frame, to consider a fundamental question about how we interpret the world: for all that we see, what goes unseen and unsai

    Unpacking the Holocaust: A Playwright’s Journey (Grade 5 and up)
    What are the challenges, the choices, the considerations when the Holocaust is to be both honoured and dramatized on stage? How can sets, costumes, masks, slides and silence give voice to an unspeakable tragedy? Emil uses projections and video footage from past productions of Hana’s Suitcase to explore the choices he made in taking a book and retelling it on stage.

    Away We Go: Storytelling with Sticky Notes (Grade 1 – 3) This picture book about a young child’s fears about going to sleepover camp for the first time is told entirely through sticky notes. Emil inflates a balloon and shares his board books and picture books to illustrate the basics of storytelling. This leads to a hands-on workshop where students use illustrator Qin Leng’s rough sketches to write and illustrate their own version of Away.

    Emil’s presentations are approximately one hour. He has other presentations he can share upon request and is happy to create workshops for writers’ craft classes and to modify his talks to meet the curriculum needs of teachers.

    Equipment requirements: a screen and projector he can connect to his MacBook, and a table for materials.

    Contact Emil for a visit:

      Grant, Joyce (Toronto, ON)

      Joyce Grant

      Writers’ Union of Canada member; journalism, fiction, picture books. Rainforest of Reading Award winner, Top 10 Best Books (Ontario Library Association) and Best Books (Canadian Children’s Book Centre). All ages.

      $350 for an engaging, high-energy customized one-hour presentation (in-person or online), $250 for a Q&A session only.

      Joyce is a subject-matter expert on “fake news” and journalism. She is a freelance journalist and owner of internationally award-winning TeachingKidsNews.com.

      BOOKS:

      * Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts, 2022, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte. Illustrated non-fiction. Themes: Fake news, critical thinking, journalism.
      * Gabby picture books: Gabby, Gabby: Wonder Girl, Gabby: Drama Queen. Themes: text to concrete things, friendship, creativity, phonics
      * Middle-grade baseball novels for reluctant readers: Tagged Out and Sliding Home. Themes: bullying, diversity, teamwork, empathy

      Joyce delivers high-energy, interactive, engaging presentations and workshops for all ages. She has written picture books with a literacy angle, and middle-grade baseball novels that deliver baseball action with underlying social themes (immigration, bullying, diversity, teamwork).

      Joyce is also co-founder of TeachingKidsNews.com: free, kid-friendly news plus curriculum connections. She is a freelance journalist and her popular “How to Avoid Fake News” presentations can be tailored for students or teachers.

      “We were honoured to have Joyce Grant as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. Our audience of about 200 people (was) captivated by her content … students were incredibly engaged and just ate up what she had to tell us.”
      —Laura Alopaeus-Gomes, Literacy Lead K-6, Algoma District School Board, 2018

      CYBI cover - Joyce Grant
      Joyce Grant
      joyce grant

      NOVELS:
      SLIDING HOME
      This middle-grade baseball novel focuses on Miguel, who is holding down part-time jobs so he can bring his father to Canada from El Salvador. Set in Toronto's Christie Pits baseball field.
      (Sequel to Tagged Out.) Themes: immigration, teamwork, diversity, empathy, baseball.

      TAGGED OUT
      Fast-paced middle-grade baseball novel for reluctant readers. Includes a strong secondary character who is gay. Themes: diversity, tolerance, empathy, teamwork, baseball.
      A teaching guide is available free.

      PICTURE BOOKS:
      GABBY 
      When Gabby drops her magic book, all its letters fall out. Whatever she spells with those letters
      comes to life! Includes two pages of literacy activities. (Illustrator: Jan Dolby)
      A teaching guide is available free.

      Also in the series:
      GABBY: WONDER GIRL (Includes question words.)
      GABBY: DRAMA QUEEN (Includes words with consonant blends.)

      PRESENTATIONS—GENERAL INFO:
      Joyce customizes her high-energy, interactive presentations to suit your students and support their learning. She can speak to most ages, but asks that they’re grouped (ie, K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 5+).

      Groups can be small (one to two classes) or larger, depending on how hands-on you want the presentation to be. Presentations for younger students are 40 minutes; for older students, 45 minutes to an hour. All presentations include Q&A.

      HOW TO AVOID FAKE NEWS
      Gr. 4-7
      Identify and avoid fake news—and find the good stuff online. Includes how to think more critically.
      “Practical and engaging. The students are still talking about it, and the teachers have been using your ideas in their classrooms!”

      WORD SCRAMBLE
      K-3
      Super energetic, interactive presentations using scrambled letters. Includes a behind-the- scenes look at how picture books are made.
      “Interactive and fun!”

      CHARACTER, SETTING, PROBLEM, MAGIC!
      Gr. 2-3
      Together, we build an exciting story and then we act it out.
      “The kids loved it—we went back to the classroom and built more stories!”

      WRITING WORKSHOPS
      Gr. 4-9
      Journalism (writing headlines, interviewing, the 5 Ws) and picture book workshops. 
      “Real-world, hands-on learning.”

      GETTING KIDS READING
      Parents
      Parent/literacy night coming up? My popular, practical session for parents will help you get your kid reading.

      HOW TO TEACH KIDS TO AVOID FAKE NEWS
      Teachers
      Practical, popular presentations for teachers and teacher-candidates.

      KEYNOTES AND SKYPE VISITS
      Students or Adults
      Memorable keynotes for conferences and meetings (price to be discussed), and Skype visits
      ($250/45 mins). 

      EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
      I use PowerPoint, so I’ll need a projector and screen. Oh! And a bottle of water, please. My voice projects well (a-hem!), but if you think your space requires a microphone, I’ll need you to supply that—preferably hand-held.
      I’m fine with small groups (one or two classes) or larger auditoriums. The bigger the group, the less hands-on the session, so workshops are best with a smaller group. I have great presentations for nearly every age group. Here are the preferred grade groupings: K to 1, grades 2 to 3, grades 4 to 6, grades 5 and up. I also present to teachers and teacher-candidates and to parents (ie, literacy night).

      To book Joyce, please send us an email using the form below:

        • Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts, 2022, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte. Illustrated non-fiction. Themes: Fake news, critical thinking, journalism.
        • Gabby picture books: Gabby, Gabby: Wonder Girl, Gabby: Drama Queen. Themes: text to concrete things, friendship, creativity, phonics
        • Middle-grade baseball novels for reluctant readers: Tagged Out and Sliding Home. Themes: bullying, diversity, teamwork, empathy

        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.

        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:

          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)”

          Carmichael, LE PhD (Trenton, ON)

          Carmichael1

          Writers’ Union Member. Award-winning author of more than 20 STEM books for kids.

          Fees for on-site visits: $350 + HST for up to one hour, $600 + HST half day, $900 + HST full day (4 hours). Travel and/or accommodation fees may also apply. Fees for virtual visits: $300 + HST for up to 1 hour, $200 + HST for each additional presentation on the same day, to a maximum of 4 hours.

          Lindsey specializes in making science engaging, relevant, and above all, fun. She also has 20 years’ experience as a writing instructor, offering workshops for both children and adults. 

          NEW STEM PROGRAM for 2023-24!

          (Ant)Arctic Adaptations: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth. The polar regions are bitterly cold, freeze-dried wildernesses, where the wind can blow harder than hurricanes. They are also the only places on Earth where day—and night—last up to six months. And yet, many animals not only survive in these extreme environments, they thrive! After a brief introduction to the Arctic and Antarctica, kids will be asked to brainstorm a list of polar species. We’ll discuss the adaptations that help their favourite animals stay warm, find food, and raise their babies, all in two of the harshest habitats on the planet. Then, we’ll explore the extreme adaptations of some less-familiar species… including one that protects itself with projectile vomit! 

          This presentation draws on Lindsey’s experience living in the Arctic, her PhD research on northern wolves and arctic foxes, and her favourite facts from her all-new STEM book, Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth. Best for grades 4-6.

          STEM Programs for K-3

          What Is a Forest For? Introducing the Boreal Forest. The boreal forest is the largest, most northern forest in the world… and 29% of it is right here in Canada! This introduction to the boreal biome will help kids understand why forests matter. We’ll explore biodiversity with a look at the animals – both iconic and obscure! – who call the boreal forest home. Using a movement activity, we’ll then discuss photosynthesis and how it helps forests prevent climate change. This program runs approximately 30 minutes, leaving plenty of time to answer students’ questions.

          Laura and the Locusts. In 1875, a swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts destroyed Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family farm. This presentation integrates Laura’s descriptions of the swarm (from On the Banks of Plum Creek) with the newest scientific information on Locust Migration. It’s creepy, crawly fun!

          STEM Programs for 4-6

          Fur and Feathers and Frogs, Oh My! Amazing Animals of the Boreal Forest. Who calls the boreal forest home? Moose and loons and beavers are both iconic and familiar; tanukis and teals and star-nosed moles, not so much! After a brief introduction to the boreal forest, kids will be asked to brainstorm a list of boreal species. We’ll take a few moments to learn about some of the biome’s more unusual occupants, through a reading from The Boreal Forest that brings these species to vivid life. From the reading, kids will identify three common adaptations for surviving boreal winters, with examples of animals that use each one. We’ll then discuss two extreme winter adaptations before ending with plenty of time for questions.

          Ocean Migrations – Over the Ice and Under the Sea. What do wolves, humpback whales, and arctic foxes have in common? Whether over the ice or under the sea, their life cycles all include migration. Drawing on discoveries from Humpback Whale Migration and Lindsey’s award-winning PhD research, this program explores different types of migration and how the world’s oceans influence animal movements. The potential impacts of global climate change on wildlife migration are also discussed.

          STEM Programs for 7-12

          Source or Sink? The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change. Carbon sinks are ecosystems that trap more CO2 via photosynthesis than they release into the atmosphere each year. As our climate changes, scientists fear that some carbon sinks could become carbon sources… accelerating further warming. In this presentation, we’ll explore the stages of the carbon cycle in the context of the boreal forest and the polar regions, showing how regional events connect to a global process.  After discussing the impacts of climate change on life in northern and polar ecosystems, kids will take action by brainstorming simple strategies they can use to reduce their carbon footprints, influence climate policy, and preserve these vast Canadian wildernesses for future generations.

          Writing Workshops

          Grades 4-6: What’s Your Book About? How to Decide What to Leave Out. “What’s your book about?” is the second-most-common thing people ask a writer – just after “Where do you get your ideas?” But before we can tell other people, we have to be able to tell ourselves. Knowing what the book is really about lets us research efficiently, revise strategically, and avoid time-consuming tangents… producing a final draft that’s concise, cohesive, and effective. In this presentation, I share the coolest animal facts that aren’t in The Boreal Forest, and explain exactly why I cut them. Then, we’ll walk through each draft of the book’s opening scene, exploring the step-by-step-decision-making process of rewriting. Throughout the program, two-minute challenges will give students a chance to apply these techniques to their own manuscripts.

          Grades 7-12: Writing Down the Feels. Why do we forget some stories, while others stay with us for years? Be they nonfiction, fiction, or poetry, stories with staying power are the ones that make us feel. This workshop explores the connections between language and emotions, teaching writers how to manipulate their reader’s response. Students will harness the emotional resonance of vivid words and figures of speech, bringing their descriptions to life.

          Important Info:

          For on-site visits, Lindsey requires a laptop and projector for PowerPoint slides.

          For virtual visits, Lindsey can present in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and YouTube Live. She can accommodate schedules in a range of time zones.


            Kay, Edward (Toronto, ON)

            Rates: $300 for one session, $550 for two, $750 for three, and $900 for four (plus HST). No travel charges within the GTA.

            Virtual Visits: $150.00 + HST for one hour.

            Age range: Grades 2 to 8 for Germy Science, Grades 6 to 12 for Comedy workshop.

            Awards:

            • Red Cedar Award nominations x 2 (Stinky Science, current nominee, Germy Science)
            • Hackmatack Award 2022/23 current nominee for Germy Science
            • Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Winner (Stinky Science) 2019 – Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
            • Japan Prize for Excellence in Educational Television (two nominations)
            • Canadian Screen Awards (three wins for best comedy writing, three nominations)
            • Canadian Comedy Awards (three wins for best comedy writing)

            About Me:

            As an award-winning comedy writer with a passion for science, I love making STEM fun and showing kids how it’s a very relevant part of their everyday lives. One of my career highlights was being chosen from an international field of writers to work with renowned physicist Stephen Hawking to adapt his George’s Secret Key to the Universe novels as an animated kids’ television series. I am currently collaborating with NASA scientist Kennda Lynch on developing a new kids’ science show for broadcasters in the United States. I also created, produced and wrote the award-winning television science series for grade-school children, Finding Stuff Out for TVO and Discovery.

            “Gross Science” School Presentation:

            My “Gross Science” school presentation is based on my series of the same name for Kids Can Press, consisting of three books: Stinky Science, Germy Science and Poopy Science. They are currently being adapted for television by Shaftesbury Films (Hudson & Rex, Murdoch Mysteries), so animated clips are available to show. It is a lively, hands-on presentation that includes a visit from a Venetian Plague Doctor in full costume (me, seen below taking the stage at the Toronto International Festival of Authors, 2022).

            Students will learn fun and amazing things, such as:

            • There are more germs on their thumbs than there are people in all of Canada.
            • This tiny dot . can hold more germs than the Rogers Centre can hold people!
            • Most germs are harmless and many help keep us safe and healthy by helping us digest our food, making oxygen that we breathe, and killing the bad germs that make us sick.
            • How vaccinations work, and that the first known immunization was done in ancient China, by blowing powdered smallpox scabs up your nose! (gross, but it worked!)
            • Bad breath and body odour are actually made by germs, not us.
            • Stinky feet and stinky cheese smell the same because they have the same microbes!
            • The amazing reason why some things smell good to us and others smell bad!
            • Animals that use stinky smells as a defense.
            • That girls’ sense of smell is better than boys’.
            • That artificial flavorings were once made from beaver butt secretions! And whale poop was used in ice cream!
            • That some of the shooting stars we see at night are actually astronaut poop from the International Space Station burning up in the atmosphere.
            • That our bodies help keep us healthy by making a cup of snot per day!
            • Reproductions of what Ancient Romans used to clean their teeth and wipe their butts with (note: these are two different objects!)
            • Simulated spider poop to show how tiny it can be.
            • A model of the largest human feces ever discovered (it was from a Viking, but don’t worry, my reproduction smells like Oh Henry bars!)
            • Sneak previews of the animated television adaptation of my Gross Science books.
            • Illustrations from the book shown on a video monitor (optional).
            • Simulated dinosaur poop to show how paleontologists and other researchers learn about an animal’s diet, environment, and health.

            Kids will learn practical things (but in fun ways!), such as that the reason they should brush and floss their teeth isn’t so that their dentist won’t nag them but because microbes are constantly pooping acid into their mouths, which rots their teeth! Or why they shouldn’t pick their noses because fingernails make tiny scratches through which germs can get into their bodies! There is lots of audience participation to keep things lively, as well as sneak previews of the animated series based on the books.

            “How to Be Funny” Comedy Writing Workshop:

            My science writing is closely tied to my comedy writing. There is a growing body of data-driven research proving that humour helps us stay healthy, cope with stress, build relationships, communicate and retain information more effectively, and be more successful in life. With that in mind, I also offer a workshop entitled, “How to be Funny“. Although the orientation is on comedy, my workshop is also useful for teaching students writing techniques that apply to all situations, as well as creative problem-solving skills that can be applied in many areas of their lives. The presentation is highly interactive. Students will learn what makes a picture, story or joke funny as well as specific exercises and techniques to find funny things to write about, create funny characters, learn how to play with language and ideas to create jokes with setups and punchlines, and how to create stories with comedic arcs and callbacks.

            Maximum number of students per presentation: 100 (35 for comedy writing workshops)

            I am comfortable presenting in: classroom, library, auditorium.

            Equipment and other requirements:

            For Gross Science, ideally I would like to have either a video monitor and DVD player or a video monitor and computer with a Wi-Fi link to play back a 30-second musical introduction and several two-minute clips from the Gross Science television series, as well as show illustrations from the books. However, if for any reason your school does not have this equipment, it’s not a deal breaker. There is still lots of great show and tell, and lots of fun interactivity for students. For younger students, drawing materials are highly recommended, as I find that encouraging kids to draw some of the things that we are discussing – germs, poop, dinosaurs, etc. – is a great way to keep them engaged.

            For the How To Be Funny comedy writing workshop, I require a blackboard and chalk or dry erase board and markers, as well as a DVD player and television for showing some age-appropriate comedy writing in completed form, drawn from my television shows. Students will require writing and drawing materials.

            I request that a librarian, teacher or other school representative be in attendance throughout the presentation.

            Biography: Edward was a staff writer and producer on the hit political satire series, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, during its four most successful seasons and was a contributor to Rick Mercer’s Talking to Americans. Since then, he has gone on to create three hit television series for kids, including Jimmy Two Shoes (Teletoon, Disney) and the comedy inflected science series, Finding Stuff Out (TVO). He is the author of three middle grade novels as well as four non-fiction science books for kids, including the Gross Science series, and, as co-author, Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge (to be released in May 2023). Edward enjoys reading and performing in front of audiences, and has appeared at Toronto’s Word On The Street literary festival and the Toronto International Festival of Authors, and been a guest speaker at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.   

            Contact Edward Kay:

              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)”

              McNicoll, Sylvia (Burlington)

              DEAL:To celebrate The Great Mistake Mysteries travelling to Russia, Sylvia McNicoll will include a free Snake Mistake with every author visit booked before November 30.

              Writers’ Union Member. Silver Birch Winner, Creative Writing Instructor  Grade 2-Adult

              RATES: $300 solo session, $525 for two sessions Continue reading “McNicoll, Sylvia (Burlington)”