Talks & Visits

For Kids

I love to visit schools and libraries to talk to kids about books and writing. As a former teacher, it’s like returning home. Virtual visits have much the same effect. Seeing enthusiastic faces, hearing probing questions, getting honest feedback from readers - it’s a magic mix!

As the author of picture books, middle grade novels, narrative non-fiction, and science-related materials, I bring an array of experience and information to each session. I blend stories, readings, activities, and media presentations to make them lively, interactive, and fun. I’ll have the tools of my trade at my side - drafts, artists’ illustrations, galleys, and of course, my books. Whether it’s a Q & A, a book talk, an author visit, or a session that explores a theme or writing skill, my goal is the same – to share the pleasures and processes of writing and illustrating fiction and non-fiction.

My sessions are designed for grades 1 through 8, and they can be tailored to suit different interests and needs. For visits to schools or libraries, I like to work in a close setting with audiences of two or three classes at a time. Sessions vary in length – roughly 45 minutes for grades 1 to 3, and 1 hour for higher grades.  Plenty of time is allotted for questions at the end.

Younger Grades….

For younger grades, I use high-interest subjects from my books – inventions, dogs, dinosaurs, treasure-hunting and the like – to spring into topics such as how to generate ideas, how to do research, and how to start a story.  We’ll cover the writing process and I’ll show how illustrators work, and how books are created and published.

Older Grades…

For older grades, I share stories from my books, compare fiction to non-fiction, and explore the hows and whys of writing each genre. I’ll show how a book comes to be, from its start as a burning idea, to its development on the page, to its final published interpretation.  Along the way, we’ll explore the roles played by different partners in the process - illustrators, editors, publishers, marketing directors and book sellers.  I’ll also share my own writing story, the reasons why I write, the habits I’ve developed, and I’ll offer tips to students that they can apply to their own writing.

For Adults

I enjoy speaking at professional conferences for teachers, librarians, and parents, and to literacy groups such as the Children’s Literature Round Table and Manitoba Library Association. My talks are supported by a variety of media materials and are tailored towards conference themes.

Bookings

To make a booking or for further information, please email me at larry.verstraete@gmail.com.