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, and 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 for seven years, educating the children about my work as a visual artist, and guiding them through painting exercises.
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 embarked on an Eastern Canadian book tour, and intend to continue touring the Herman the Monster series across Canada and into Germany in 2020.
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, one of the province’s only publishing houses for children’s literature. The Monster House catalogue includes 6 titles so far, with four more to be published by the end of 2020.
What I Offer
I am able to work in a variety of capacities, and as such offer several different learning opportunities:
- 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
- In-Class Appearance (max 40 students)
– digital 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
- 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
