C. J. Taylor
Biography:C. J. (Carrie) Taylor is an internationally-acclaimed author and artist of children’s literature. Her paintings are in many private collections across North America. Carrie has created art for her adaptation of Native legends that have been published as fifteen picture books. She travels extensively, sharing her stories with both children and adults. From kindergarten to university audiences, her presentations provide listeners with a better understanding of the wisdom and spirituality found in the mystical stories of her Native American ancestors. Her books have been translated into several languages and are used in classrooms worldwide. Her paternal Mohawk and maternal British/German heritages fuel Carrie’s expanding artistic skills in expressing the stories of yesterday and today. Whether her medium is children’s literature, poetry, sculpting, film, music, or paint, her expression is unique. Her work has been exhibited in both group and solo shows, and is in many private collections across North America. She is a self-taught artist and storyteller who has organized exhibitions of Native art across North America. Carrie has worked with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and Lacewood Productions to create and produce an animated series, “Legends of the Land” with Graham Green. Carrie’s twelfth book with Tundra, Spirits, Fairies, and Merpeople: Native Stories of Other Worlds, will be published in the Fall of 2009. Carrie Taylor lives in British Columbia. Presentation Information:Workshops.........Stories Through Words and Paint The storytelling begins with a short introduce to my native roots. I tell where my stories are found, why they were told and why it is important to pass them on. With slides and transparencies of the painted legends, I tell the stories and the stories behind the paintings. From an artist creative flow, the words and the artwork come together. There is time for questions at the end. Writing and Illustrating Workshop Making the Story Your Own A short storytelling with slides and transparencies to demonstrate the legend within the painting composition's story is told and discussed. Ideas are exchanged on key elements and characters. Illustration format is decided..storyboard or single illustration. The children then go to work making the story their own. Book List / Discography:Spirits, Fairies, and Merpeople (Tundra Books, 2009) All the Stars in the Sky (Tundra Books, 2006) Peace Walker (Tundra Books, 2004) The Messenger of Spring (Tundra Books, 1997) Et le cheval nous a été donné (Tundra Books, 1996) The Monster from the Swamp (Tundra Books, 1995) Bones in the Basket (Tundra Books, 1994) Des os dans un panier (Tundra Books, 1994) The Secret of the White Buffalo (Tundra Books, 1993) Le secret du bison blanc (Tundra Books, 1993) How We Saw the World (Tundra Books, 1993) Little Water and the Gift of the Animals (Tundra Books, 1992) Petit Ruisseau et le don des animaux (Tundra Books, 1992) The Ghost and the Lone Warrior (Tundra Books, 1991) Guerrier-Solitare et le fantôme (Tundra Books, 1991) How Two-Feather Was saved from Loneliness (Tundra Books, 1990) Deux Plumes et la solitude disparue (Tundra Books, 1990) Awards:All the Stars in the Sky Peace Walker The Messenger of Spring The Monster from the Swamp Bones in the Basket The Secret of the White Buffalo How We Saw the World Little Water and the Gift of the Animals The Ghost and the Lone Warrior How Two-Feather was Saved |
 Craft:author, illustrator, storyteller Genre:picture books Ideal Audience Size:50 – 75 is fine for a large library or room Maximum Audience Size:150 Grades:3 – 12 Special Equipment:overhead projector School Reading Fee:$157.50 per reading (includes GST) Public Reading Fee:$250.00 per reading (four readings covered by the Canada Council) Book Week Tour Contact:Carol-Ann Hoyte |