Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based children’s author with a background in theatre and broadcasting. She has published over thirty picture books and chapter books, some in French, some in English. When she is not writing books, Mireille works in children's television as a scriptwriter and director for various programs. She also enjoys doing corporate writing of youth-oriented material for such clients as the Dairy Producers of Canada, General Mills, Scholastic Canada, TFO, Kraft Foods and Via Rail.
On average, Mireille gives one hundred school presentations per year to French, French immersion and English groups across Canada.
Grades JK – 1:
(In French or bilingual, 30 min.) Mireille introduces herself and her books. She then introduces the students to the French vocabulary of her book «Une bestiole à l'école» (an insect-themed picture book). This is follwed by a reading of said story in her special giant book and a short book-related activity.
Grades 2 – 4:
(In French or bilingual, 40-50 min.) Mireille introduces herself and her books. She then reads from one of her picture books in her special giant book. If presenting "Ma branche préférée", Mireille will talk about the real events that inspired the story. If presenting «Fatima et les voleurs de clémentines», Mireille will explore the story's vocabulary and, season permitting, a clementine peeling activity will follow. Both presentation offer a Q&A period.
Grades 2 – 6:
(In French or in English, 50 minutes) Mireille introduces herself and her books. She then present her historical picture book "Sergeant Billy: The true story of the goat who went to war/Sergent Billy : La vraie histoire du chevreau devenu soldat" from her giant book. The reading is followed by a fun, interactive presentation about military mascots and goats. If time and venue permit, the Q&A period is followed by a Remembrance day-themed craft.
