Jamie Bastedo
Biography:Promoting Environmental Literacy and Empowerment Through Story. My work is all about taking science and culture to the streets. I do this through every popular medium I can get my hands on. These include books for all ages (K to 12, adult), magazine articles, posters, videos, radio, theatre, live music, tours, talks, slideshows and workshops. Whether playing zany environmental songs at a remote outdoor education camp; hosting a lively nature show as a weekly CBC North radio columnist (17 years and counting!); performing as an arctic explorer, prospector, or fur trader at schools and museums; leading ecotours for overseas students; portraying a backwoods nature nut on video; or writing both fiction and non-fiction works, my aim is to spread a catching love of learning and an enthusiasm for the land wherever I go. As a professional ecologist, outdoor educator, nature tour guide, radio broadcaster, video script writer, actor, musician, and children’s entertainer, I have been involved in numerous projects that bridge the realms of science, art and culture. My ability to weave these realms together in creative, street-friendly formats was recognized in 2002 when I received Canada’s Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion (one of only five given each year) and the Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal (see Awards list). Over the past two decades, I have made a deliberate shift away from highly technical, scientific publications in ecology to more popular works that promote wider appreciation and wise use of nature. When writing books for children, I harness the magic power of story to translate scientific and cultural concepts or issues into a format that is accessible, entertaining and inspiring to young readers, as testified by one reviewer of On Thin Ice. "Sometimes good fiction gives the reader a more intense experience of the real world than non-fiction. Such is the case with Jamie Bastedo's latest young adult book, On Thin Ice...The theory of climate change and the concept of traditional [aboriginal] knowledge become exciting experiences for the teen reader to feel and thereby understand – all packaged together in a darn good read." (WWF Bulletin) Whether writing about climate change, habitat loss, threatened species, snow ecology, geology, shamanism, or history, my success in achieving this goal – essentially to promote environmental literacy and empowerment through story – is testified by these additional book reviewers: "An engaging storyteller who combines the knowledge of a naturalist with the eye of an artist and the curiosity of a child.” – Arctic “Interesting and funny, educational and intimate, [Reaching North’s] easy-to-follow, sweep-you-away style is a delight to read. – Nature Canada “Bastedo, a writer with a gift for explaining the mysteries of the natural world, clearly loves the land where he lives and the people he finds there. His enthusiasm is infectious." – Up Here “The author situates himself in the landscape with passion, immediacy and refreshingly sharp powers of observation." – Canadian Geographic "Bastedo writes life into [Tracking Triple Seven] with all of the color—and emotional impact—of the tundra in summer." – Globe & Mail “Parents, teachers, and librarians will appreciate [Free as the Wind] for its historical relevance and for the lesson it teaches: that lobbying can result in effective change." – Quill & Quire "[On Thin Ice] is told with richness of language, culture, and emotion, but its sense of place sparkles brightest." – VOYA “A masterful blend of clever plot, commentary on current social and environmental challenges, and characters as real as the problems they face.” – Books in Canada “Both an exciting mystery and a touching lesson in the relationship between humans and the environment.” – Canadian Geographic My latest novel, Sila's Revenge, the sequel to On Thin Ice, is an action-packed adventure that propels a gifted teen from her storm-battered Arctic village to the searing Outback of Australia as she and her troupe of avant-garde throat-singers tackle climate change head-on (see below). Presentation Information:In keeping with my ambition to “promote environmental literacy and empowerment through story”, I use every tool I can to engage students of all ages (K to 12) in stories about the land and land-based cultures. I do this using a variety of props, writing exercises, musical instruments, costumes, and audio-visual presentations. For instance in telling the story of how the Yellowknife landscape evolved over 3 billion years to a group of ten-year olds at a local museum (based on my book Blue Lake and Rocky Shore) I come on stage dressed variously as a volcano playing the bongo drums, a T-Rex playing a mandolin, or a homesick prospector singing the blues on guitar. Other props could include a rubber Earth ball, an Inuit drum, a cowboy hat, a boomerang, or a polar bear tooth – depending on the story we’re exploring. To help bring my stories alive while de-mystifying the writing process, I often use audiovisual presentations (eg PowerPoint) to take kids behind the scenes – like a “Special Feature” section for their favourite video – and show them the “making of” the book. I draw heavily on “real world” science and history in my novels. So, for instance, to bring the grizzly bears of my novel Tracking Triple Seven alive, I show pictures of real bear biologists at work on the tundra and tell stories of my own experience working at an Arctic diamond mine. Similarly, I take kids behind the scenes of On Thin Ice by showing images of melting permafrost, storm-battered coastlines, and ancient shaman masks. Lastly, for Free as the Wind: Saving the Horses of Sable Island, I show pictures of wild horses, the island landscape, and the many shipwrecks that surround it. I also read bona fide letters to Prime Minister Diefenbaker written by kids in 1960 who helped save over 200 wild horses from being turned into dog food. Another way I use audiovisuals is to show segments of my “Ernie’s Earth” videos (The Wonders of Winter and Room to Roam) to illustrate themes from my books. I can also draw from over 15 years of recordings from my own CBC radio nature shows. Lastly, two of my novels are supported by Teachers Guides (e.g., Grizzlies of the Arctic Tundra) and a dedicated website (www.onthinice.ca) which contain a wealth of lesson plans, novel study questions, and fun classroom activities, all of which I draw on for my presentations. As exotic as my book settings may seem – the Arctic coast, the tundra diamond fields, remote Sable Island, or the Australian desert – I always make a point of “bringing it home” for the children, wherever they may live. I do this by encouraging them to tell their own stories of their own land through simple writing exercises (e.g., leading topics, inspiring questions, fill-in-the-blanks, song-writing, letter writing, etc.) In other words, by drawing on a variety of fun and creative tools, I do my best to adapt and customize my presentations to the specific age, place, interests, and concerns of children wherever they may live. Book List / Discography:Sila’s Revenge (Red Deer Press, 2009) Free as the Wind. Illustrated by Susan Tooke (Red Deer Press, 2007) On Thin Ice (Red Deer Press, 2006) “Fever on Nipple Mountain” in The Horrors: Terrifying Tales, Book Two. Tracking Triple Seven (Red Deer Press, 2001) Falling For Snow: A Naturalist’s Journey Through the World of Winter (Red Deer Press, 2001) Awards:Winner of Canada’s Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion in 2002 Winner of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 On Thin Ice Free as the Wind: Saving the Wild Horses of Sable Island Tracking Triple Seven The Horrors: Terrifying Tales, Book Two Falling for Snow Praise for Jamie Bastedo:“As an author, actor, teacher and proponent of fun and learning through literacy, Jamie is an excellent candidate for Canadian Children’s Book Week. Every couple of years our school organizes and hosts a youth conference for 2 to 3 hundred teens. Jamie has been a mainstay facilitator for the last four conferences. His workshop evaluations, completed by the kids in his audiences, consistently show that Jamie connects with the youth; his messages about science, history or learning in general are effectively communicated and, most convincing, the kids want him back. In working with Jamie over the years, I have always been impressed by his positive, ‘can do’ attitude. If our program requires variety or flexibility, Jamie always works hard to deliver. I clearly recall an instance from a couple of conferences ago where I observed the closure of one of Jamie’s trapper sessions, with the old man sweating in his fur cap, axe in hand. Minutes later, in the same room, I introduced the environmentalist author to a group of eager kids with questions on global warming. The transition was seamless. I’m confident that you and your kids will enjoy Jamie’s work as much as we have over the years.” Robert Byatt, Principal “Jamie Bastedo was recommended to us as a presenter who our students would love and find incredibly entertaining and informative. We did invite Jamie to the Literacy for Life Conference and he presented to students from grade three to grade twelve. We were indeed delighted with his presentations and the response of the students to him. Jamie’s presentations were participatory and incredibly engaging for the students and adults in attendance. He related to the students, his thinking in the crafting of these stories, the basis for the stories he creates, his knowledge of science and the environment and his joy of sharing this knowledge through story. He brought the stories to life for our students enticing them to read further and find out what happens to a particular character. He invited students to share their ideas with him by letter and email. We heard many stories of students rushing to their school libraries and bookstores after his presentation to find his books. We had high school students, who may never have read a book, sharing their enthusiasm with other students about his presentation and their desire to read On Thin Ice. We enjoyed Jamie’s dynamic presentations so much that we invited him back the following year, as a keynote speaker." John Barton, Principal “I have known Jamie for over two decades and am very familiar with his creative talents in telling stories and encouraging people to learn about the human and natural heritage of the Northwest Territories. Jamie is especially talented at bringing his written stories to life through humour, skits, songs and exploring the great outdoors through hands-on learning activities. Over the past 15 years, Jamie has delivered educational and highly entertaining public education programmes to hundreds of children and families at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. He is a well-known author who brings a lively and northern perspective to all who meet him. His books have inspired many children to learn more about important Canadian topics such as snow, bears, ravens and rocks.” Barb Cameron “My group really enjoyed meeting Jamie. They especially enjoyed the second half of morning as Jamie discussed life in the north, bears etc and showed his slide presentation. Jamie kindly left some of his books for our school – they were quickly scooped up and are being read. One student, Wyatt, LOVES Tracking Triple Seven and said he would like to put the book in a plastic bag and pin it on his bedroom wall. We have to limit the amount of time that he reads the book during class time, as he would read it all day!!” Lisa Smith “By adding science to his books, not only can he create a plausible storyline, but also, a learning experience and an adventure all in one. For instance, in Jamie’s book On Thin Ice, he combines three hooks: the arctic, polar bears, and climate change, all grabbing the attention of his readers.” Erin Henderson |
 Craft:author, storyteller Genre:picture books, YA fiction, teen fiction, non-fiction Ideal Audience Size:30 students (or 1 class) Maximum Audience Size:no more than 80 (without professional sound system); Grades:K – 12, adults Special Equipment:- microphone and amplified sound system (when in a large room, gym or auditorium) Website: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:Kathleen Martin |