Ed Kavanagh
Ed Kavanagh is available for visits to primary and elementary schools in the St. John's area.
Biography
Ed Kavanagh grew up in Kilbride, Newfoundland and Labrador. He received
an Honours B.A. in English and a B.Ed. from Memorial University of
Newfoundland, a B.A. in Music from Carleton University, and an M.A. in
English and Creative Writing from the University of New Brunswick. He
has worked as a writer, actor, musician, theatre director, university
lecturer, and editor. His stories, essays, dramatic scripts, and poetry
have earned 15 awards in the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts and Letters
Competition.
Since the publication of his first book in 1986, Ed Kavanagh has
travelled widely, visiting many schools and libraries. As a musician
and writer of children’s songs, he adds variety to his visits
with musical selections on guitar and Celtic harp. He has performed
extensively throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as well as in Nova
Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, New Zealand and Ireland.
School Visits
Grade Level: The general grade levels for Ed Kavanagh's visits are K-5. Grades 2-4 are most appropriate.
Ed Kavanagh's sessions consist of a vibrant storytelling session (where
he draws on his experience as an actor), a question and answer period,
and a selection of original songs and music which invite the children's
participation. During the question and answer period the children get
an opportunity to see the original drafts of Amanda Greenleaf Visits a Distant Star, as well as Janice Udell's early drafts of the drawings in Amanda Greenleaf and the Spell of the Water Witch.
There is a lively discussion of the creative process: the children are
shown that while writing is an enjoyable process, it rarely turns out
perfectly in the first draft.
Particulars
Setting: A library/resource room is preferable. Gyms should be a
last or only resort. Ed Kavanagh prefers the children to sit on the
floor.
Numbers: The smaller the group, the better and more personal the
session. This is especially true because of the "hands-on" style of the
sessions, which includes the children's examination of story drafts and
illustrations. One or two classes at a time is optimal; where this is
not practical 80 should be the maximum number. Numbers higher than this
can make the sessions counterproductive. Larger numbers are better
divided into two sessions.
Length: Approximately one hour for grades 2-5, although more time may
be required if the children have a lot of questions. For Kindergarten
to Grade 1, 40-45 minutes is usually sufficient.
Preparation
Preparation is not essential. If teachers do wish to prepare,
classes that Ed Kavanagh has not previously visited should prepare by
reading (or having read to them) Amanda Greenleaf and the Spell of the Water Witch--the second book in the series. Mr. Kavanagh storytells Amanda Greenleaf Visits a Distant Star as part of his session; consequently, this book should not be read to the children prior to his visit. Amanda Greenleaf and the Boy Magician, as it is a sequel to Amanda Greenleaf Visits a Distant Star, should also not
be read until after the visit. Prior to the visit, it is a good idea to
tell the students a little about Mr. Kavanagh. Biographical information
can be found on the books; there is also an entry on Mr. Kavanagh in
the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Past School Visits
Ed Kavanagh has visited many schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. A selection follows:
Brinton Memorial, St. Andrew's Elementary, St. Lawrence Elementary, St.
Philip's Elementary, Vanier Elementary, Pouch Cove Elementary, St.
Francis of Assisi, St. John Bosco, St. Matthew's, St. Theresa's
Elementary, St. Peter's Elementary, Cowan Heights, Harrington
Elementary, Immaculate Conception, Mary Queen of Peace, McDonald Drive
Elementary and Morris Academy.
In addition, he has given readings in Corner Brook, Goose Bay, Labrador
City, Wabush, Cartwright, Black Tickle, Davis Inlet, Postville, Nain,
Marystown, St. Lawrence, Terrenceville and many other Newfoundland
communities. He has also performed throughout Nova Scotia, Ontario and
New Brunswick, Ireland and New Zealand.
From The Northern Pen, Thursday, May 7th, 1996:
"Hundreds of young students in the region had their imaginations
stretched to the limit last week as they were taken on a fairy tale adventure with Amanda Greenleaf."
As part of Newfoundland and Labrador Library Week, the character's
creator, St. John's author Ed Kavanagh, visited five communities in the
region. During stops at Red Bay, L'anse au Loup, Cartwright, St.
Anthony and Gunners Cove, Mr. Kavanagh gave a reading from one of three
books in the Amanda Greenleaf series. In an animated and descriptive
fashion, he held elementary-aged children spellbound for more than an
hour... While the floor may have been uncomfortable for the young
students, Mr. Kavanagh made them forget about their discomfort as he
paced back and forth in front of the room, waving his arms, making
strange faces and constantly changing the pitch of his voice as he told
the story of Amanda and her trip to the Blue Star.
Following the reading, Mr. Kavanagh took time to answer questions from his fascinated audience....
To book a school visit with Ed Kavanagh, and for information about the
Newfoundland and Labardor Arts Council's Visiting Artist Program
funding go to our main page.