APPLY TO HOST ROYDEN LEPP (IN PERSON)
BIOGRAPHY
Royden Lepp is a Canadian-born author, illustrator, and animator known for creating the critically acclaimed Rust graphic novel series and the middle-grade sci-fi comedy series Jurassic Jeff. Born in Manitoba and now living in Seattle, Washington, Lepp has a diverse background in visual storytelling, including work in animation, concept art, and photography. His stories often combine emotional depth with imaginative, genre-blending settings. Lepp’s cinematic style and character-driven storytelling have made him a standout voice in modern graphic fiction.
Home Location: Seattle, Washington
Creator Type: Author-illustrator
Genres: Beginning readers, middle-grade fiction, young-adult fiction, graphic novels
Website: www.roydenlepp.com
Tour Region: Yukon
Target Audience: Kindergarten - Grade 12
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
The Power of Visual Literacy (60 minutes)
The one language spoken by the whole world
Target Audience: Grades 4 - 7
Preferred group size: 20+ students
Maximum group size: 300 students with teacher assistance for crowd control
Royden begins by presenting a slideshow on the importance and power of visual literacy. He introduces the concept of iconography, using examples like safety warnings and road signs that are universally understood regardless of language. He then discusses how our brains process auditory versus visual information, including body language and facial expressions. Students are encouraged to analyze photographs and interpret the narrative through evaluating body language and facial expressions. Finally, Royden transitions to comics and sequential storytelling, explaining their function and the potency of their visual language in today’s culture/
Moments of awe: Students amaze themselves as they describe photographs filled with emotion and pathos.
Required equipment: large digital projection / smartboard / large TV connected to computer
Required materials: none
We're All Storytellers (45 minutes)
The importance of the storyteller artist
Target Audience: Grades 2 - 5
Preferred group size: 20+ students
Maximum group size: 300 students with teacher assistance for crowd control
Royden begins by introducing himself as an artist and acknowledges other artists present, emphasizing that everyone possesses a “superpower” and the responsibility to use it to better their community. He asserts that artists have a unique calling to tell stories through drawings, and then outlines the most effective and straightforward method for crafting a compelling narrative. Collaborating with the audience, Royden guides them through the creation of a story using the “seven statements” method. Upon the story’s completion, Royden reads the story aloud and then performs a live drawing of the main character, demonstrating some of his illustration techniques, including ‘sketch building’ through layering.
Moments of awe: Students laugh and cheer as a silly story is told, and the character instantly comes to life on the screen in front of them.
Required equipment: large digital projection / smartboard / large TV connected to computer
Required materials: none
Draw Together (30 minutes)
Live step-by-step drawing!
Target Audience: Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2
Preferred group size:
Maximum group size:
Royden talks about the importance of making art, how artists have important roles in society, and then leads the group in a collective step-by-step drawing together, often usual final steps for a surprising reveal of the final image.
Moments of awe: Students laugh out loud as they try to guess what we’re drawing together.
Required equipment: large digital projection / smartboard / large TV connected to computer
Required materials: drawing materials, pencil, paper, preferred classroom setting with desktops or table tops
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beginner readers
Barnabas Goes Swimming. 2008
Barnabas Helps a Friend. 2008
God Loves You, Barnabas. 2008
Happy Birthday, Barnabas. 2008
Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Jurassic Jeff: Space Invader. 2023
Jurassic Jeff: Race to Warp Speed. 2024
Jurassic Jeff: Phone Home. 2026
Graphic Novels for Teens / Adults
2006 – David, Volume 1: Shepherd’s Song
2009 – How to Draw Big Bad Bible Beasts
2011 – Rust Vol. 1: Visitor in the Field
2012 – Rust Vol. 2: Secrets of the Cell
2014 – Rust Vol. 3: Death of the Rocket Boy
2016 – Rust: The Boy Soldier (Prequel)
2018 – Rust Vol. 4: Soul in the Machine
2026 – The Cedars