Susan Mitchell

Biography:

When Susan was a child, her mother would read books to her and her sister every night, and they loved the magic of looking at the intricate illustrations from books such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Wind in the Willows. The sisters would then spend hours making up their own stories and creating illustrations for them.

It seemed a natural progression to study art as an adult and she received a degree in Drawing and Painting from Edinburgh College of Art in 1984. She had various jobs after graduating, but unfortunately none of them had anything to do with illustration. Her most interesting and creative jobs were working as a scenic artist’s assistant at an old theatre and running art workshops for community groups.

In 1994, she emigrated with her husband from Scotland to Montreal. Just before leaving, she visited a gypsy fortune teller who told her she would not only move across the water and have an only son, but begin illustrating children’s books. This prediction encouraged her to pursue her illustration career instead of just dreaming about it. Shortly after a friend helped to put her portfolio website together, Susan received her first book contract to illustrate The Christmas Pop-Up Present for Simon & Schuster.

Susan now feels very fortunate to work full-time as an illustrator, with 15 published titles. When she is not drawing or painting, she loves to sew and make soft toys that resemble her illustrations. She has an ever growing collection of picture books and still loves to read stories and look at beautiful artwork.

Susan is married to children’s author P.J. Bracegirdle and has a twelve year old son named Ewan.

Presentation Information:

Bringing Stories to Life
In this presentation, artist Susan Mitchell gives children a look behind the scenes at how children’s books are illustrated. Using materials from her own published works, Susan explains the process from first receiving a story to sketching out ideas to finally creating the finished artwork.

With younger children, Susan then reads from one or two of her titles. If there is enough time, she then likes to include an interactive element, such as having the children create their own book characters. She will ask the children to help come up with a name, for example, while suggesting specific character traits and collaborating on other details. On a large pad, Susan then draws out their suggestions.

Susan ends her presentation by reading another book and by answering any last few questions. She then hands out colouring pages from her books so that the children have something to take back to class.

Book List / Discography:

My Mom and Me. Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. (Little Simon, 2009)

My Dad and Me. Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. (Little Simon, 2009)

Why Oh Why Does Baby Cry? Written by Matthew J. Kempler. (Golden Books/Random House, 2009)

Pumpkin Baby. Written by Jane Yolen. (Key Porter Books, 2009)

Paula Deen’s Cookbook for the Lunch Box Set. Written by Paula Deen and Martha Nesbit. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009)

Hugs for Baby. Written by Allia Zobel-Nolan. (Sandvik Innovations, 2008)

Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook. Written by Paula Deen and Martha Nesbit. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008)

Nana’s Bible Stories. Written by Roberta Simpson. (Thomas Nelson, 2007)

Comet Can’t Wait for Christmas. Written by Paul Bracegirdle. (Little Simon, 2007)

Christmas Lights. Written by Marion Dane Bauer. (Little Simon, 2006)

I Know that God is Near. Written by Dian Curtis Regan. (Little Simon Inspirations, 2006)

I Love You the World. Written by Allia Zobel-Nolan. (Reader’s Digest, 2006)

A Glorious Angel Show. Written by Dandi Daley Mackall. (Thomas Nelson, 2006)

The Christmas Pop-Up Present. Paper engineered by Rives. (Little Simon, 2005)

Claire and the Unicorn, Happy Ever After. Written by B.G. Hennessy. (Simon & Schuster, 2005)

Awards:

Nana's Bible Stories
Gold Recipient of the 2009 Religion & Spirituality, Mom’s Choice Award for Picture Books

Praise for Susan Mitchell:

"Susan Mitchell is an absolutely wonderful speaker! Her enthusiasm in front of the children and her passion for her trade were felt by all that were present. In fact, the teacher in charge wrote on her teacher report that it was a “Great Visit!”

Leeann Moss
Animation - Library Technician
Dollard-des-Ormeaux Public Library

"Susan had an excellent rapport with the students and was kind and encouraging in her teaching. The children and teachers responses to her workshops were always highly favourable and she was often requested specifically by those who had worked with her previously".

Louise Standjofski
Director of Faites des arts!
(Montreal, Quebec)

Craft:

illustrator

Genre:

picture books, non-fiction

Ideal Audience Size:

60 (2 classes)

Maximum Audience Size:

60 – 90

Grades:

K – 3

Special Equipment:

Flip chart with a large pad of paper and black markers.

Website:

Susan Mitchell’s Site

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:

Monica Winkler
c/o The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Tel: 416-975-0010
info@bookweek.ca