School & Library Program Highlights
(If you would like a different focus, we would be happy to construct a custom program for your school or library.)

An author's life...times two: Who we are - Chris is Vancouver Bureau Chief for Maclean's Magazine, Beverley is a freelance writer and marketing consultant. Chris has been writing for 25 years and traveled much of the world in search of stories. He's also been a disc jockey and drainage tile installer. Beverley was Operations Manager for Maclean's magazine for 12 years before leaving to start her own consulting company in 1992. She's also been a blackjack dealer and a horse wrangler.

Where a book comes from: How we got the idea for DogStar - the story of Patsy Ann, Official Greeter of Juneau, Alaska. How we developed the story and went about getting it down on paper. How we found a publisher and negotiated with editors, and what's involved AFTER you think you've reached "The End".
Props: early versions of the manuscript, as well as research material.

Reading: Bev and Chris (alternating) read two chapters from DogStar. We invite the teacher to choose the chapters. (Optional: can be lengthened or shortened according to class age and preference).

Spreading the word: An author's job doesn't end even after the book is published. What it takes to get a book noticed. We also talk about Patsy Ann's web site - www.patsyann.com.
Props: Reviews of DogStar and news articles about Patsy Ann from Japan, Belgium, USA and Canada.

Q&A with the Kids: Always the most fun part of the program.

Catofest: Allow at least 10 minutes for children to gather around Cato and give everyone a chance to pat him -- there's always a crush of kids eager to touch him while he basks in the attention!