TD Canadian Book Week 2019!

Adopt an Author Program
Taking 75 grade 4/5's down the publishing path of
Family of Spies: Paris.

I have extremely awesome news! I've been selected to take part in the TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2019 and tour school and libraries in Ontario. So very grateful for this opportunity. I love presenting nearly as much as I like writing. 

So, what is it all about?

Here is a snipping from the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Page:

Sharing books I wrote at age ten, with ten-year-olds.

TD Canadian Children’s Book Week is the single most important national event celebrating Canadian children’s books and the importance of reading. Each May, over 400 readings are given to over 28,000 children, teens and adults in roughly 175 communities across the country as we make every possible effort to reach children in more remote regions and communities. Hundreds of schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres host events as part of this major literary festival.

When is it?

The next TD Canadian Children’s Book Week touring program will run from Saturday, May 4 to Saturday, May 11, 2019. Thirty Canadian children’s authors, illustrator and storytellers will be visiting schools, libraries, community centres and bookstores across Canada throughout the week.

                                                          Who organizes it?

Using our Senses with Grade Three's.

TD Canadian Children’s Book Week is organized by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, in partnership with the Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada, and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and funders.

If you are a teacher, librarian or bookstore in Ontario, please visit the website. I would love to meet you and your students and spread my love for reading, writing, and following our creative passions.

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food with Grade One's

Looking for reviews for Family of Spies: Paris?

"It is an absolute page turner, and I spent every spare minute I had reading it. My favourite character is Ellie, because she is really organised, however Ford and Gavin are really good as well! This review has been a great joy to write, and I’ve only just come back from being on holiday, and this is the first thing I’ve done. Congrats Jodi, and thanks for sending an advance copy!" Mango Bubbles Books 

Mango Bubble Books is a site where kids read, write and draw book reviews. No adults allowed! The Guardian has called it "The most influential children's review site in the UK."  

Presenting at an I Love to Read Month Assembly
to 600 Students, Staff and community members.

CM Review of Materials Highly Recommends Family of Spies and awarded it a four out of four!

"Family of Spies will grip readers from the first page and will not let go. While Carmichael has done her research and briefly ventures into the scientific realm of time travel and psychic ability, Family of Spies forces readers to suspend their disbelief and just enjoy a really good story. Told in the third person, this time travel tale successfully immerses readers in the City of Lights during both the 21st century and WWII, highlighting the incredible food, culture, language, history and architecture. The WWII era scenes, complete with marching Nazi troops and flapping swastika flags, are replete with vivid description that captures all of the senses. Chock full of action, suspense, history and intrigue, Family of Spies is a must-read with something for everyone!"

"Such a joy to race through Paris with brothers Ford and Gavin and cousin Ellie as during family reunion/vacation they discover not only that Ford is clairvoyant, but that through him they might solve a mystery swirling around their great grandfather's WWII service. The novel is fast moving-- literally! I mean, those kids never stop running! And eating, which made me crave French pastries something fierce. Jodi Carmichael effectively entwines humour with a truthful punch of history that will not only engage young readers, but also breathe life into a past that is just too important to ever forget. The novel ends with a very clear indication of the next adventure, the next in this series." Anita Daher, Vice Chair of The Writers' Union of Canada and Author of Forgetting How to Breathe, Two Foot Punch and Itty Bitty Bits

Speaker Testimonials:

"Our goal for adopting Jodi was for students to see the hard work and determination that it takes to get a book published. We wanted them to connect with the author, but also the journey. As a teacher, it was heart-warming to see how excited the students were when they knew Jodi was visiting. Jodi’s rapport with students was confident and relaxed. Her presentations were organized and included visuals and artifacts to make it personal for our students.

At the book launch, which was outside of school hours, almost half of the students attended with their families. One student created a book trailer for Jodi and others built an Eiffel Tower which she displayed at the launch. The impact Jodi had on our students last year was lasting.

I hope more students across Canada can have the same meaningful experience as the kids at Beaumont. " - Colleen Nelson, Teacher Librarian, Beaumont School

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"As part of our I Love to Read celebrations, we invited author Jodi Carmichael to present her ‘Reading, Writing and Editing’ workshop to our Grades 2/3 class. 

Jodi’s workshop was well planned and at an appropriate level for the students.  From the outset, students were engaged as Jodi shared her experiences as a young reader and writer in elementary school, even bringing samples of her earliest work to share!  The PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the workshop included photographs and images that helped the students to make connections with what Jodi was sharing.  Likely, the favourite part was when Jodi guided them through a writing activity, drawing on their five senses, and using props to deepen their experience.  Jodi modelled the writing process through a shared writing activity, honouring the ideas and abilities of all the students.  This workshop built upon and expanded the work we have been doing as a school to improve writing skills.  Our students came away inspired and excited about reading and writing because of this personal connection with a local published author. 

I would highly recommend Jodi Carmichael as a presenter!" - Trish Steadman, Teacher Librarian, Ecole Crane

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"Jodi visited 4 grade 4 classes, talking to them about being a writer and encouraging them in the writerly life! She was well prepared, very at ease with the students and full of excitement. As Jodi shared her story of becoming a writer with all of us she certainly removed some of the mystery surrounding writing and getting a book to the publishing stage!

Our staff would eagerly recommend Jodi's high powered and insightful workshop for any other school. As Teacher Librarian, I was very pleased with the outcome of Jodi's visit and would certainly recommend her as a presenter to other schools." - Claire Sutton, Teacher Stanley Knowles School

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"Jodi is a dynamic speaker with a natural ability to encourage spontaneous participation while maintaining the students' attention and respectful listening.  She was able to very quickly adapt her presentation when, minutes before the children assembled, she realized the classes had not yet read her book.

I would definitely recommend Jodi Carmichael as a speaker for diverse groups of elementary students to help with learning to appreciate differences." - Karen Slippert, OTReg.(MB) Occupational Therapist, Pembina Trails School Division