Perseverance, hope and love in action are the hallmarks of Sue Farrell Holler’s work. An experienced presenter and workshop leader, her sessions are interactive, engaging and designed to get kids excited about reading, writing, and telling stories.
Sue uses props and digital photos to give a sense of the real people and places behind her stories. Whether it’s a group of Kindergarten kids sitting on the floor or senior high kids in a workshop, she always reads to the audience because, really, what’s better than having someone read you a story?
Grades K-3 – Picture books – RAVEN, RABBIT, DEER
Virtual session – 30 minutes
“Raven, Rabbit, Deer” is Sue’s newest picture book. This session includes a reading of the story about a child and his grandfather going for a woodland walk in which they greet the animals in English and in Ojibwemowin. Sue supplements the images in the book with photographs from one of her daily walks that show how animal tracks look in real life and discusses other ways to identify what animals might be hiding.
Curricular links
- Social studies – community, field trips, nature, FNMI
- Language arts – creating stories from real life, listening, reading
- Health – Empathy and understanding
Grades K-3 – Picture books - TO the POST OFFICE with MAMA/TO the POOL with MAMA
Virtual session – 30 minutes
With a combination of storytelling and reading from her picture books Sue brings students a message of perseverance and following your heart. “To the Post Office with Mama” and “To the Pool with Mama” are both set in rural Alberta.
Interspersed with reading her stories aloud, Sue talks about becoming a writer and her mother’s unfailing belief and encouragement.
If requested, for a Grade 3 class, she will read a section of “Lacey” which is set on the Siksika First Nation, rather than read a second picture book.
Curricular links
- Social studies – community, mapping, field trips, FNMI
- Science – using the senses
- Language arts – creating stories, listening, reading, looking for visual clues
Grades 4-6 – LACEY & the AFRICAN GRANDMOTHERS
Virtual session – 40 minutes
Set on the Siksika First Nation east of Calgary, “Lacey and the African Grandmothers” is based on the true story of a Blackfoot girl who uses her ingenuity and talents to help African women who are raising AIDS orphans.
This is a story of forgiveness and hope and a strong introduction to First Nations’ culture. In addition to reading from her work, Sue will show photos of the real people and the real place behind the novel to aid discussion of what she learned while researching the story.
Curricular links
- Social studies –community, social justice, social action, globalization (global community), FNMI
- Language arts – oral storytelling, creating stories from real life, listening, reading
- Health – Empathy and understanding
Grades 7-9 – Cold White Sun
Virtual session – 40 minutes
Empathy, understanding and seeking about us what is the same – rather than what is different – are the messages behind this session. Everyone has a story and sometimes the best thing we can do is listen and learn and find out what we have in common.
Based on a true story, Sue’s YA novel, “Cold White Sun,” tells of a teenage refugee from Ethiopia who arrives in Calgary one cold spring evening. He is disoriented, alone and has no resources. Based on extensive research and intense interviews, this is an emotionally-charged novel that details Tesfaye’s life in Ethiopia, his eventual escape, and what happens to him in Canada. "Cold White Sun" was a 2019 finalist for a Governor-General's literary award.
As well as talking about the development and writing of this book, Sue uses photographs and an interactive and fun oral multiple choice quiz, “How much do you know about Africa?” to teach students and help them move beyond the stereotypes of what they think Africa – and particularly Ethiopia – is like.
Curricular links
- Social studies –social justice, globalization (global community), politics, Africa/Ethiopia, refugees
- Language arts –creating fiction from real life events, writing, listening, reading
- Health – Empathy and understanding
Grades 10-12 & Adult – COLD WHITE SUN
Virtual session – 60 minutes
The research and writing of “Cold White Sun”-- Sue's novel based on a true story -- is the focus of this session in which Sue talks about how her awareness of Africa and the plight of refugees grew as she interviewed, researched and wrote about one refugee. This YA novel opened her eyes to her own culture and some of the difficulties newcomers face. "Cold White Sun" was a 2019 finalist for a Governor-General's literary award.
As well as talking about the development and writing of this book, Sue uses photographs and an interactive and fun oral multiple choice quiz, “How much do you know about Africa?” to teach students and help them move beyond the stereotypes of what they think Africa – and particularly Ethiopia – is like.
With broad experience as a journalist and author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, Sue is happy to respond to audience Q&A’s about “how-to” and careers in the literary arts.
Not every writer wants to be a novelist, but students who can write well need never be out of a job. If there is enough student interest, she will tailor a session specific to careers in writing – highlighting some jobs that students may not have considered.
Curricular links:
- Social studies –social justice, globalization (global community), political science, Africa/Ethiopia, refugees
- Language arts –creating fiction from real life events, writing, listening, reading
- Health – empathy and understanding
- CTS – careers in the literary arts
The Basics – All grades to adult
Virtual session – 15 minutes
Available to all grade levels and to adult audiences this is a bare bones basic Q & A session. It is best suited to a class that has read/studied one of her books, book clubs and those with a defined interest in writing.
There is no formal presentation. This is strictly a Q&A opportunity.
Queries, pricing and availability: info@suefarrellholler.com
