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APPLY TO HOST MIREILLE MESSIER (IN PERSON)
BIOGRAPHY
Mireille Messier is a bilingual children's author. She has published over thirty picture books and chapter books, some in French, others in English. Some have even won awards! Mireille shares her time between the very big city of Toronto, Ontario, and the very small village of Paradise, Nova Scotia.
Home Location: Paradise, Nova Scotia
Creator Type: Author
Genres: Picture Books, Beginning Readers, Early Chapter Books, Middle-Grade Friction, Non-Fiction
Website: mireille.ca
Tour Region: Manitoba
Target Audience: Junior Kindergarten - Grade 3
Cost: For one 60-minute presentation: $300 plus 5% GST
NOTE: The fee of $300 (plus tax) will be paid to The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) upon receipt of an invoice from the CCBC. After Book Week, the CCBC will pay the author their presentation fee of $250 (plus taxes, if applicable).
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
Mireille Messier will be available to offer presentations in English or in French.
*Priority will be given to schools/libraries who would like presentations given in French or in a bilingual format where the majority of the content is in French.
Fern & Newt and The Lost Loot / Fémi et Lou et le trésor perdu
Learning about monarch butterfly habitat (and metal detecting!)
Target Audience: Grades 1 - 3
Preferred group size: 12 - 25 students
Maximum group size: 60 students
In this dynamic presentation, Mireille will show students the awe-inspiring transformation of Monarch butterflies, from egg to majestic insect.
Using her chapter book as a framework, students will experience a fact-packed presentation that touches on the importance of plants and insects. Mireille will explain how her fictional story is inspired by true information about the importance of the conservation of animal habitats.
Additionally, Mireille will touch upon another fun aspect of her book - metal detecting! In a fun activity using magnets, students will try to predict which objects will set off the metal detector. This will be followed by a short presentation about quirky things Mireille has found on her own property using her metal detector.
The presentation will end with a Q&A with the author where students can ask questions about her writing craft and her writing and publishing journey.
Required equipment: laptop computer with internet access, LCD projector, whiteboard or screen
Required materials: none
Nevin Knows / Ce que Samuel sait
Self confidence, making choices and intergenerational relationships
Target Audience: Junior Kindergarten - Grade 1
Preferred group size: 10 - 20 students
Maximum group size: 30 students
You may be small, but you already know many things!
Mireille will read her new picture book Nevin Knows (or the French version Ce que Samuel sait) and then will engage with the students about what Nevin knows in the story. This will lead to a fun discussion about what they are proud to know themselves and what they are looking forward to learning. Mireille will also lead them in a silly sing-along inspired by the book.
At the end of the presentation Mireille will lead students in a self-portrait drawing activity and will leave a fun hand out colouring page of the cover of the book.
Required equipment: none
Required materials: paper handouts printed by school, coloured pencils or crayons
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fern & Newt and the Lost Loot / Fémi et Lou et le trésor perdu. Orca Book Publishers, March 2026. (Orca Echoes Collection). Illustrations by Catarina Oliveira. Early chapter book for readers 6-10. (English and French versions)
How To Read a Very Serious Book. Illustrations by Kelly Collier. Owlkids Books, March 2026. Picture book.
L.O.U.P.E. Tome 5 - Embrouilles à Embrun. Éditions David, November 2025. French chapter book for readers 8-12.
Océane et Saute-Mouton. Soulières éditeur, August 2025. French poetry for readers 6-9.
L.O.U.P.E. Tome 4 - Coup de théâtre à Stratford. Éditions David, April 2025. French chapter book for readers 8-12.
Nevin Knows / Ce que Samuel sait. Illustrations by Éléna Comte. Orca Book Publishers, February 2025. Book for preschoolers. (English and French versions)