David Bouchard
“Reading is the single most important gift we can hope to give our children. My goal is to share this gift of reading"" - David Bouchard
Contents
About David Bouchard
David's School Visits
David's Latest Books
Recommendations & Reviews
To make a Booking
Download Information Sheets for Schools
About David Bouchard
David Bouchard is an award winning Canadian children's author. David has written over 35 books based on his North American Indian heritage, many of which have become best sellers and household names. David is renowned throughout Canada and the US for his inspirational and emotional school presentations that help motivate children to read. He regularly lectures and presents workshops to educators, parents and librarians providing practical solutions for inspiring children to read, based on his acclaimed book 'The Gift of Reading'.
All of David's books are beautifully illustrated by leading artists in Canada and many have become collector's items as works of art.
David speaks to educators, parents and students about the importance of reading. He inspires educators and parents to share the most valuable gift we can give our youth, the gift of reading.
"There is only one pre-requisite to success in school; that children be readers. By law, anyone working with children should have to understand how children and adults come to read, and because modelling is key to children becoming readers, all who work with children should be required to be readers." - David Bouchard
David Bouchard is North America's foremost champion of literacy. He has spoken to hundreds of thousands in the past decade. His message is realistic, accessible and challenging: "There is nothing that affects achievement as does a child's ability to read...nothing. Yet, achievement is not the only reason we want to get our kids reading..."
David Bouchard understands how one comes to read & he shares that knowledge with passion. As a teacher, administrator and father, David shares the fire it takes for us to become the readers we should be and the advocates for literacy our children need to succeed.
This YouTube video features an interview with David Bouchard, made as part of the 2007-2008 LearnMichif project, a project dedicated to helping Canada's native Métis people connect with their past and with their future.
Back to the top of About section
Back to the top of page
David's School Visits
David’s presentations are dynamic, interactive and inspirational. David has experienced huge success in his home country of Canada, using the mythology and culture of North American Indians to inspire a love of reading in children from all backgrounds.
David’s ‘I am Raven’ presentation is based on his latest book; a compelling tale that encourages readers’ self-understanding through animal spirit guardians, often referred to as totem - not unlike Disney’s movie Brother Bear. Through music, poetry, dance and re-enactment, David’s presentation is inspirational if not magical!
A visit from David is a unique experience for your children; one that cannot fail to inspire them about reading.
Back to the top of Visits sectionBack to the top of page
David's Books
David has written over 35 books based on his North American Indian heritage, many of which have become best sellers and household names, of which the following are just a sample. Please visit David’s publisher’s website to view his other books: www.mtwpublishers.com
I am Raven
Some will tell you that your totem is something you were in a previous life or something you might become in the next. That might be true. Others will tell you that your totem is the source of your strengths and weaknesses. This I believe to be true. Understanding my totem helps me to understand myself. And when I come to know someone else’s totem, it helps me better understand that person.”
“Bouchard’s evocative text relates a story told to the book’s narrator by his grandmother. A great, kind and wise chief decides to erect a new totem pole. Knowing that he will soon die, the chief wants the pole to be representative of him but also to reflect the importance of others in his life. A series of birds and animals then try to convince the chief that their image should be carved into the chief’s totem pole.”
Gregory Bryan, children's literature teacher at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Education
Please visit David’s publisher’s website to view the entire text
and illustrations of 'I Am Raven': www.mtwpublishers.com
The Gift of Reading
In this book, David Bouchard and Wendy Sutton speak to parents, teachers and administrators. They speak to all adults who have children in their lives. They remind you, the reader, that you need to take responsibility for getting those children reading. Helping children learn to read and to love reading is not someone else's responsibility, it is yours!
The dedication says it all: "For the Sally Benders and Anne Letains of the world. For you and the other teacher librarians who are out there carrying the torch! That The Gift of Reading might serve you and your cause."
Back to the top of Books section
Back to the top of page
Recommendations & Reviews
Reviews of I Am Raven
“…As beautiful and lyrically poetic as Bouchard’s text is, Everson’s alluring illustrations threaten, almost, to steal the show. The intriguing mixture of realistic, photographic images with totemic depictions creates a series of very powerful images perhaps suggestive of the thin veil between this world and another, more spiritual, world. I also find the seamless mixture of realism and totemic depictions is suggestive of the all-inclusive, non-discriminatory approach that Bouchard and Everson seem to have taken when working on the book.
I Am Raven is an exquisite book and will become a treasured addition to family book collections. It has been my experience that each time I open the book, I discover new details both in the text and the illustrations. Each time, I feel more and more charmed by the book. I Am Raven represents excellent value for money because I am confident that readers will, like me, return to this book over and over again ... Highly Recommended."
- Gregory Bryan, children's literature teacher at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Education
Reviews of The Gift of Reading
"This very readable and interesting guide challenges the reader - whether parent or educator - to take responsibility for "helping children learn to read and love reading." The authors are both respected leaders in education and literacy in Canada. ...A "must-purchase" for all school and public libraries and every principal's office. Highly Recommended."
- Lorraine Douglas is the Youth Services Coordinator for Winnipeg Public Library in Winnipeg, MB.
"This is a must read for all educators - those who agree with the premise and those who need convincing. Highly Recommended."
- Jane Cabaya, Media Specialist, Century High School, Rochester, Minnesota for Library Talk - a US magazine aimed at teachers, circ. of about 35,000.
"This is an excellent book for parents and educators... With the current emphasis on literacy, this book is a must for all adults who have responsiblitily for the care and education of children. Highly recommended."
- Victoria Pennell for Professional Resources - Volume 7 #3
Back to the top of page
To Make a Booking
To make an enquiry about David Bouchard, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please phone Trevor Wilson on +44 (0) 1535 656015, or email him at trev@caboodlepromotions.co.uk
Further information on David Bouchard is available from his website: www.davidbouchard.com
Download Information for Schools
The following information is useful for schools to provide to parents. Please download, print out and make copies for the pupils to take home with then.
Book Information SheetStandard letter to send to parents
Order form for books
Back to the top of page