Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author, Peggy Dymond Leavey, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.  
 
Peggy is available anytime within a 250 kilometre radius of Trenton, which includes Ottawa, Petawawa, Huntsville, and Brampton. Peggy is also available occasionally elsewhere in the province and across Canada. Please, just ask. 
 
Peggy would love to plan a visit to your school or library. Her rate is $200 for one session, $300 for two, three for $400, and four for $600; plus travel from Trenton, Ont. 
 
Peggy’s novels for children have been nominated for several awards, and one, “The Deep End Gang,” was a Silver Birch Honour Book and Finalist. Her bibliography and details of her presentation follow this message. 
 
Here’s what Librarian Dianne Cranshaw had to say about Peggy's visit to her library:

 
“The Wellington Branch of the County of Prince Edward Public Library was very fortunate to have Peggy Dymond Leavey give a workshop on creative writing to children from eight to twelve years of age. . . . Peggy's quiet manner, coupled with her ready sense of humour and her own enthusiasm soon had their creative juices flowing onto the paper. Peggy has the ability to make each child's contribution a valuable part of the exercise. The children were delighted with their experience. . . . Peggy is well-organized, punctual and efficient- every event planner's dream- but also inspiring, thoughtful and entertaining- every participant's wish!” 

Teacher/ Librarian Lezlie Foster had this to say about Peggy's presentation at Colborne Public School:

 
“Our students were very excited to meet a (three-time) Silver Birch Award nominee. … a lively and engaging discussion. I appreciated the time (Peggy) took to answer their questions.” 
 
Peggy is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada. 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.

Novels for Young Readers

Growing up Ivy. 2010
Trouble at Turtle Narrows. 2008
Treasure at Turtle Lake. 2007 
The Path through the Trees. 2005 
The Deep End Gang. 2003  
Finding My Own Way. 2001 
Sky Lake Summer. 1999 
A Circle in Time. 1997 
Help Wanted: Wednesdays Only. 1994 
 
 

Awards and Nominations 

The Path through the Trees, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award nominee, 2007; CCBC Our Choice selection, Silver Birch nominee, 2007. 

The Deep End Gang, Silver Birch Award Honour Book & Finalist, 2004; Arthur Ellis Award nominee. 

Finding My Own Way, Our Choice Award, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2002. 

Sky Lake Summer, Our Choice Award, Canadian Children’s Book Centre; Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award nominee, 2001; Silver Birch Award nominee, 2000.

A Circle in Time, Our Choice Award, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 1998-99. 

Help Wanted: Wednesdays Only, Our Choice Award, Canadian Children’s Book 
Centre. 

Presentation Details

Grades 4-6

My presentation usually includes a short reading from my latest book, although I'm happy to adapt to any theme. If there is a particular book of mine that the students are reading I can tailor a presentation to suit that need, although I will need 3 weeks notice for this.

I talk about how I started writing, and we discuss the best places to look for story ideas. I share some personal stories about my writing and give background information on my books. Among the visuals are examples of the various stages in a book's development – from first, hand-written draft to finished product.

I welcome feedback from the children and like to hear how they choose which book to read. This leads to a discussion of cover art & writing “blurbs,” where every word counts. I like to end the session with Q. & A.

Grades 6-8

“An Ontario Family in The Great Depression” is a presentation for grades 6-8, based on my latest novel, Growing Up Ivy (Dundurn, 2010). Using a slide show of photos from the 1930s and historical background from the novel the students can decide for themselves whether or not they could have survived the hardships their great grandparents may have endured during the Depression.

I read selections from the book and talk about what inspired me to write it.

A retired librarian, I have many years' experience talking to children and nurturing in them a love of reading and writing. I provide bookmarks, posters and teacher handouts of classroom activities and ideas for further discussion.

 

Writing Workshops

I offer writing workshops for grades 4 - 8, which are usually 90 to 120 minutes in length.
 
Hands-on activities include looking for story ideas, using the senses, developing characters, choosing colourful verbs, writing effective openings, using dialogue, writing fiction from truth and looking at story structure. Student handouts are provided.

 
Number of participants: 25 is ideal, 40 is maximum. This is negotiable.

A quick overview:

Grades: I present to grades 4-6, and 6-8, with a spread of no more than two grades in each group. A presentation lasts 45-60 minutes.

Audience size: 70 is ideal; 100 is maximum. I like to move among my listeners, so a smaller group works best.

Venue: I prefer to present in the school library, classroom, or small auditorium. In a larger venue, I might require a hands-free microphone, depending on the acoustics.

Equipment: I require a table for display purposes for presentations, a blackboard or flip chart for workshops. For the slide show that accompanies the discussion of Growing Up Ivy, I will bring my own laptop. I would need a LCD projector and screen.
 
A bottle of water is always appreciated. I look forward to speaking to your students!