Paul McAllister

Background

Through the publishing of my Herman books, I have taught children in a variety of multidisciplinary settings. I have been doing live readings and creation exercises in schools, libraries, and public presentations at festivals and special events. At each reading, there is a participatory/educational aspect, where the children are invited to create characters, sing songs, make masks, and/or engage directly with the work. I have collaborated with the Calithumpians to complete dramatic readings of A Herman Tale, engaging the young audience in creative exercises to connect them with the arts – music, visual art, theatre, and storytelling.

Before Herman, I was a regular guest artist at Gibson Neil Memorial School, educating the children about my work as a visual artist, and guiding them through painting exercises. I filled this role for seven years.

In Spring 2018, I accompanied Theatre New Brunswick to schools across the province, as they presented a dramatic recreation of the Herman story. I performed readings and completing art activities in classrooms as an accompaniment to TNB’s programming.

With the launch of Cornelius’ Conundrum in October 2018, I will embark on an Eastern Canadian book tour, focusing on Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Contact me at the email address to the left, or call 506-471-3310.

Publications

There and Back Again: A Herman Tale (December 2015)
A New Song for Herman (October 2017)
Cornelius’ Conundrum: The Sewer City Star (October 2018)

In addition to the Herman the Monster series, I run Monster House Publishing, and will have published 5 other authors’ works by the end of 2018.

What I Offer

I am able to work in a variety of capacities, and as such offer several different learning opportunities:

1. Live Readings (max 250 students/reading)
– digital projector is an asset
– includes live reading, presentation about literacy & publishing, group engagement exercises
– generally last 30-45 minutes

2. In-Class Appearance (max 40 students)
– projector is an asset
– includes live reading, with options for interdisciplinary group art activity & character building
– generally last 30-45 minutes, or up to 4 hours with art activity

3. In-Class Residency (K-5 preferred)
– working with a class over several days & appearances to create a monster story, illustrations, & collaborative learning opportunities
– minimum of 3 days, hours to be determined with teacher