Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author, Jo Ellen Bogart, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.

Jo Ellen Bogart would love to plan a visit to your school or library. Please contact us for dates. Her rate is $325 plus HST for one daytime session, $600 plus HST for two and $825 plus HST for three, all plus transportation. An evening session to parents and students including one presentation of 45 minutes or two half hour sessions, with additional time for book signing and visiting is $350 plus HST, plus travel from Guelph, Ontario.

Jo Ellen has written books in many genres including picture books, non-fiction for older readers, and early chapter books. Currently, she is also writing song lyrics. Her bibliography and details of her presentation follow this message.

Here’s what a California teacher of has to say about Jo Ellen's book, Jeremiah Learns to Read:

This is an excellent book to use to inspire the reader in all of us. Jeremiah's story teaches us that it is never too late to learn how to read. I first heard this book read to me at a teacher conference. It left many of us in tears. I then bought the book and read it to my second graders, some of whom are struggling at reading. They too were equally moved. I highly recommend this book for use in the classroom or plain and simple reading enjoyment.

Jo Ellen is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, so schools wishing to invite her may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to off-set the cost of her visit. For details of this program, please contact us.

Time slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please respond early if you are interested in booking Jo Ellen Bogart.

Big and Small Room for All, Tundra, ill by Gillian Newland, 2009
Out and About with the Big Tree Gang Orca Books ill. Dean Griffiths, 2006
Crazy About Puppies Scholastic Canada 2006 photos by Mark Raycroft
The Big Tree Gang Orca Echo early reader Orca Books 2005 Ill Dean Griffiths and co-authored with Jill Bogart
Emily Carr: At the Edge of the World Tundra Books Canada 2003 Ill Max Newhouse
Capturing Joy, the Story of Maud Lewis Tundra Books Canada 2002 Ill. Mark Lang
The Night the Stars Flew, Ill. Ginette Beaulieu Scholastic North Winds Canada 2001
Jeremiah Learns to Read North Winds Press Scholastic Canada 1997 Ill. Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson
Gifts North Winds Press Scholastic Canada 1994 Ill. Barbara Reid 
Sarah Saw a Blue Macaw North Winds Press Scholastic Canada 1991 Ill. Sylvie Daigneault  

Awards And Nominations

Daniel’s Dog
Children’s Choices for 1991 list of the Joint committee of the International Reading Association Children’s Book Council.

Gifts
IBBY Honor List 1996
Short-listed for the Ruth Schwartz Award and the Mr.Christie’s Book Award
Toronto Public Library’s 100 Best Canadian Books for Today’s Children and
Teens

TD Grade One Book Giveaway Book for 2011.

Jeremiah Learns to Read
OLA Best Bets 1997
Ruth Schwartz Award 1998
Tiny Torgi Award 1998 (Printbraille Book of the Year) from the CNIB

Money, Make It Spend It Save It
Red Cedar nomination 2004

Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis
Hackmatack nomination 2004
Finalist 2003 Information Book Award

Emily Carr: At the Edge of the World
Chapters Best of 2003 list for children’s non-fiction
Honour Book 2004 Information Book Award
Short-list Red Cedar 2005-2006

Big and Small, Room for All

Finalist , Lane Anderson Award 2009 for best science book for young readers

Presentation Details

My presentation usually begins with one of several stories about my childhood in Texas. I then recount a bit about moving to Canada as an adult. I often show an example of my early magazine writing and it helps to illustrate my strong interest in nature.

I have produced a Power Point presentation to accompany discussion of my book Big and Small, Room for All. It has been well received by all grade levels.

I usually read from two books and discuss how they came to be written. I sometimes show the early line drawings that precede the final illustrations and talk about the various media used to do the art. A selection of interesting items in my bag can be pulled out when appropriate during a reading.

I ask for an hour for my presentations because I want to have time for the children to ask questions and make comments.                                       
                          
I present to grades JK-8, but prefer groups made up of no more than three adjacent grades, if possible.               
                                                   
The preferable maximum audience size for my presentations is: 70-80
                                                                                       
I offer writing workshops for grade three and ups
                                      
Maximum number for workshops- about 30                                  

I also offer Professional development workshops: on using literature in language studies, social studies and science         
and Grade 12 Writers' Craft Workshops.                    
                                      
I am most comfortable in the school library, but can present in the gym if the library is too small.
                           
I require an extension cord and outlet, an AV cart, and a media projector. I have my own voice amplification system for small venues, but can use the school’s system if I am in the gym.