Adult talks
I give multi-media presentations to adult audiences and those on my newest book about the Titanic, Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage, are particularly popular. My talks about Canadians at war are also much in demand by adult audiences.
For a video of my talk at the Boston Public Library on Book TV go to: http://www.booktv.org/Watch/13394/Gilded+Lives+Fatal+Voyage+The+Titanics+First+Class+Passengers+and+Their+World.aspx
School and library talks for Young Readers
Remembering On Juno Beach, At Vimy Ridge and Dieppe
These books are subjects of great interest since so many Canadians have a direct family connection with World War I and II. Talks about them are particularly in-demand in the weeks before Remembrance Day. I bring a laptop slideshow and photos and artifacts.
In schools I find Grades 4 and up most receptive. I also enjoy speaking to high schools, since the subjects are curriculum-related. I am happy to speak to large or small groups.
For a video of me talking about my Dieppe book go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMIJRuXVKIY
Scholastic Canada has also prepared an excellent video about Prisoner of Dieppe on their site.
Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose
For this book I have a PowerPoint slideshow with music combined with paintings and photographs to evoke the world that John Singer Sargent painted. One unique feature is the parlor song that inspired the title of the painting. No recording exists of it so I have made one with a male trio. The talk can be tailored to adults or to children aged seven and up or to a mix of both. I also wear a Victorian gentleman’s outfit for this talk.
Canada’s Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are an ever-popular subject for all ages. For Breakout Dinosaurs, I have a PowerPoint slideshow featuring some of the art from the book plus photos of dinosaur bones and fossils. I also have museum samples of dinosaur teeth, claws and skulls that the students can touch. In schools, this talk is popular with Grades 1-4.
To view a podcast of me talking about dinosaurs please go to:
http://www.rom.on.ca/media/podcasts/display.php?id=59
The Titanic:
I have a popular slideshow for young readers about the ever-popular story of the Titanic and the three books I’ve written about it. I have also edited and compiled many other Titanic books and talk about working with Robert Ballard, the man who discovered the Titanic in 1985. Remarkable paintings by Ken Marschall of the Titanic on the ocean floor and in it’s heyday are combined with artifacts and historical images.
Fees and Travel:
Schools can check with the Canada Council for possible assistance with fee and travel financial aid. I am a member of the The Writer’s Union of Canada which also provides support for talks. Check their website. My fee is $275 per talk plus .42 km mileage. Two talks are $525.00. For more information, please contact me at: hbrewster@sympatico.ca
I live in Toronto but often tie in talks when I am in other cities.
TESTIMONIALS
“I have organized scores of author readings with three different library systems over my years as a librarian, and Hugh Brewster’s presentations are some of the best I have seen.” – April L. Cox, Manager, Fleetwood Public Library, Surrey, B.C.
“Hugh has the uncanny ability to make history come alive. His presentation is a strong blend of quality visuals and engaging storytelling. In the two talks that he gave here in Vancouver both audiences were captivated.” –Susan Redmond, Librarian, Cambie Library, Richmond, B.C.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation at our library earlier this week! We received very positive feedback from the school as well I enjoyed your talk very much, too. I learned a lot about the war, the Chevalier de Saint-George and ankylosaurus gas, among other things!” –An Edmonton librarian
“The kids just loved listening to Mr. Brewster and I’m sure the books will be flying off my shelves. Nothing but positive praise for Hugh. The kids as well as the adults could have listened for hours. “ –A teacher-librarian, Durham Region
“We have particularly noisy classes this year so that you managed to hold their attention for that period of time really speaks to how interested the students were in what you had to say. It was very educational, fun to listen to and sometimes even a bit gory which really makes things gripping for grade 5 kids!’ — A Grade Five Teacher, Edmonton
SPEAKING SCHEDULE 2013
April 9: 1:00 pm: Talk at Newmarket Public Library, Newmarket, Ontario
April 12: 7:00 pm:
Titanic talk for Lakeside Books & Art, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School, 576 Ridge St, N, Ridgeway, ON
June 6: 10:00 Talk for Mississauga Library in Celebration Square, Mississauga, ON
June 15: evening: Talk for DCMA dinner at Dufferin County Museum
July 20: 3:00 pm ‘Crowning Glory’ presentation at Elora Festival, Elora ON
October 25: 6:30 ‘Crowning Glory’ presentation at Casa Loma,Toronto, at dinner for Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
November 1: 10:00 am: Talk at King Township Public Library
November 6-8: Talks in Fraser Valley, BC
