>Margriet is available for virtual author visits via Skype and ZOOM.

To arrange for a face-to-face classroom presentation, please email Margriet for rates and details.All of Margriet’s presentations are very flexible. She adapts the content of each talk to the appropriate age level, using books like Emma’s Eggs and A Pacific Alphabet with students in PreK, K and Grade 1; books like In My Backyard and Wake Up Henry Rooster in Grades 2 and 3; and books like Amazing Animals and A Brush Full of Colour with older students.

When working with Grades 3 and up, her talks include more details on the editing and rewriting process. For high school students, she focuses on the craft and profession of being a writer and on how illustrators complement her text.

Typically, in one day in a school, Margriet can do 4 one-hour presentations. Audience size can be discussed. Author talks with PowerPoint slideshows can have a specific focus such as:

• nonfiction
• fiction, or
• poetry

Margriet uses different books in each presentation, including talks on the making of Stepping Stones and The Elephant Keeper.

If Margriet is at a school for more than one day, she often does writing workshops. Writing workshops can focus on:

NONFICTION: how to research, voice, etc. Based on her book No Dogs Allowed, students learn to interview elders and share true stories. Or they can write nonfiction poems, based on several examples, about the place where children live, about their own lives, and more. Using her alphabet books as examples, they can also create alphabet books about their country, city, school or any other topic.

FICTION: planning a story, plot, voice, tense, etc. Students can create a picture book story and experience the editing and illustrating process by having peers function as editors and illustrators. Completed books can be shared with younger grades and displayed in the library.

POETRY: doesn’t have to rhyme to be poetry! Margriet’s nonfiction poetry workshop is very popular and suitable to short time frames. After a writing workshop for a class or a whole school, poems may be celebrated by sharing them on a Poet Tree in the library, by creating an anthology or through performing.

In addition to the above, Margriet is available to conduct PARENT workshops and EDUCATORS workshops focusing on using books throughout the curriculum and getting students excited about their own writing.

For specific scheduling please contact Margriet.

“I have never seen my students so motivated to write!”
– Teacher, Kelowna B.C.