Member Profile

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Karen Patkau

Karen was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours degree. She continued her studies at the University of Alberta and received a Master of Visual Arts degree in Visual Communication. Karen lives in Toronto, where she works as an author, illustrator, designer, visual artist, and arts educator.

E-mail: kpatkau@sympatico.ca
Phone number:
416 260 1915

Publications

Don't Eat Spiders – Robert Heidbreder • illust. Karen Patkau . Oxford University Press, 1985
One Watermelon Seed – Barker Lottridge • illust. Karen Patkau . Oxford University Press, 1985
Ringtail – Patricia Sillers • illust. Karen Patkau . Oxford University Press, 1987
Seal is Lost – Priscilla Galloway • illust. Karen Patkau . Annick Press, 1988
In the Sea – Karen Patkau . Annick Press, 1990
Python Play – Robert Heidbreder • illust. Karen Patkau . Stoddart Kids, 1999
Sir Cassie to the Rescue – Linda Smith • illust. Karen Patkau . Orca Book Publishers, 2003
CREATURES Great and Small – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2006
CREATURES Yesterday and Today – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2008
One Watermelon Seed – Barker Lottridge • illust. Karen Patkau . Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008
WHO NEEDS AN ICEBERG? An Artic Ecosystem – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2012
WHO NEEDS A JUNGLE? A Rainforest Ecosystem – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2012
WHO NEEDS A SWAMP? A Wetland Ecosystem – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2012
A Good Trade – Alma Fullerton • illust. Karen Patkau . Pajama Press, 2012
WHO NEEDS A REEF? A Coral Reef Ecosystem – Karen Patkau . Tundra Books, 2014
WHO NEEDS A DESERT? A Desert Ecosystem – Karen Patkau. Tundra Books, 2014
WHO NEEDS A PRAIRIE? A Grassland Ecosystem – Karen Patkau. Tundra Books, 2014
One Hungry Heron – Carolyn Beck • illust. Karen Patkau . Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2014

Awards

Ezra Jack Keats Memorial Medal - UNICEF / USSBY for Don’t Eat Spiders, 1986
Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” Award for Python Play, 1999
Resource Links “Best of the Year” for Sir Cassie to the Rescue, 2004
Shining Willow Nominee for Creatures Great and Small, 2008
Toronto Public Library’s “First & Best 2008” for One Watermelon Seed, 2008
Green Book Festival Honorable Mention for Who Needs a Swamp?, 2012
Green Earth Book Award Shortlist for Who Needs a Reef?, 2015
Links:
Website
http://www.patkauillustration.com
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

Karen Patkau (pronounced “PAT-co”) shares two passions in her presentations. One is her love of nature. The other is the art of the picture book. Karen aims to educate and entertain, as well as to give children and teachers insight into the creative process. She would love to come to your school or library. For more information about her visits or to buy books contact Karen.

TOPICS

1. RETELLING / DRAWING ACTIVITY – JK to Grade 1 with Reading Buddies
This session includes a reading of One Hungry Heron and a retelling/drawing activity that incorporates math, language and visual art.

2. WHO NEEDS AN ECOSYSTEM? – PowerPoint Presentation for Grades 2 to 5
This session includes a presentation based on Karen’s Ecosystem Series: Who Needs a SWAMP?, Who Needs an ICEBERG?, Who Needs a JUNGLE?, Who Needs a DESERT?, Who Needs a PRAIRIE? and Who Needs a REEF? plus an optional Ecosystem Survival Game.

3. HOW A PICTURE BOOK IS MADE – PowerPoint Presentation for Grades 3 to 6
This session includes a presentation about the picture book illustration process and a drawing activity.

VENUES, EQUIPMENT AND DETAILS

• Karen can present in a classroom, library, auditorium or gymnasium.
• Sessions are 45 to 60 minutes in length.
• PowerPoint presentations for Grades 2 to 6 are on a USB Flash Drive.
• A computer, digital projector, screen, display table and chair are required for PowerPoint presentations.
• Presentations to Grades JK to 1 are without AV equipment. Chartpaper, a stand and a wall to tape up drawings are required. Students require copies of handouts, drawing materials, tables and chairs.
• Karen has her own voice amplifier for small rooms, but prefers a microphone for large venues.
• A ten-minute alert before the end of a session is requested.

Presentation Length:
45 to 60 minutes
Genre:
Information Picturebooks
Grades:
K to 6
Audience size:
maximum 80
Workshop Description:

Northern OAC WITS:
No
GST:
GST applicable

Equity Initiative

As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, we are committed to increasing awareness of authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability. This author identifies as:

  • Living with a disability