Karen Patkau

Readings

Karen Patkau shares two passions In her presentations. One is the picture book art form – storytelling told through words and images. The other is learning about nature and telling young people how amazing it is. Karen aims to educate and entertain, as well as to give children and teachers insight into the creative process.

She begins her reading with several picture books, which she has illustrated, including "One Watermelon Seed" written by Celia Barker Lottridge and “Sir Cassie to the Rescue" written by Linda Smith. "One Watermelon Seed" is three books in one – a counting book, a gardening book, and a story. “Sir Cassie to the Rescue" is a fun-filled adventure that was a delight to illustrate, because Karen got to play make believe right along with the characters.

Showing examples of artwork-in-progress from "Sir Cassie to the Rescue," Karen talks about the illustration process.

Next, she presents nonfiction picture books that she has written and illustrated; and discusses her fascination and love of the nature world.

Her first book is "CREATURES Great and Small", a fact-filled introduction to big and little beasts that will captivate nature-lovers. Karen explores the wide world of insects, fish, mammals, sea jellies, reptiles, amphibians, birds, crustaceans, arachnids, and mollusks. From “Really Big” creatures – such as the Blue Whale, Giant Squid, and Anaconda – to the “Really Small” – such as the Dwarf Goby, Bumblebee Bat, and Feather-Winged Beetle – children will be taken on an informative, beautifully illustrated voyage of discovery.
Karen also discusses the book’s helpful glossary, map endpapers, and charts – introducing concepts of scale and proportion.

In companion book "CREATURES Yesterday and Today,” Karen transports her audience to prehistoric times, when many creatures existed that have since disappeared. Children will meet living animals and their prehistoric ancestors such as Skylark and Diplodocus; Blue-Ringed Octopus and Cameroceras Fat-Tailed Scorpion and Brontoscorpio; and find out what links them across the ages. Scientists obtain clues from fossils about how these prehistoric creatures looked and lived, and Karen examines many of them in this fascinating look at extinct and present-day species. "CREATURES Yesterday and Today” includes vibrant illustrations, map endpapers, glossary, geological timeline, and a chart of the history of life.

Finally, Karen introduces the first three books in her exciting new ecosystem series “WHO NEEDS A SWAMP? – A Wetland Ecosystem,” “WHO NEEDS A JUNGLE? – A Rainforest Ecosystem,” and “WHO NEEDS AN ICEBERG – An Arctic Ecosystem,” Tundra Books, 2012. Each beautifully illustrated book brims with captivating creatures, ecological features, fact-filled notes, a useful glossary, and a comprehensive map. Karen’s discussion of these books is not only informative, but also a call to action for all of us who care about the world in which we live.

Karen Patkau's presentation lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. She modifies the content of each presentation for the age and interests of the audience. Audience participation, questions, and comments are encouraged. Autographed posters and masters for colouring sheets are supplied.

Special Equipment:

- Black board or chart paper with easel - 1 table for displaying books / artwork - 2 chairs

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Workshops

Karen explains the process of making a picture book – from idea to printed book. Workshop participants will learn how to analyze a text and make effective illustrations for it. Through hands-on activities, participants will go through key steps in the illustration process and create their own picture book artwork.

Special Equipment:

- Black board or chart paper with easel - 1 table for displaying books / artwork - 2 chairs - Materials and art supplies for participants

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Other Presentations

Karen is available for professional development day sessions. Her session begins with a presentation about the process and the purpose of picture book illustration. She demonstrates how students can reinforce their learning by creating illustrated works in a variety of subject areas. In addition to fulfilling expectations of the Arts Curriculum, student projects can be linked to the Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, or Math Curricula; or can be based on folklore or personal experience from students' culture of origin.

Biography

Karen Patkau was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A telling note is written on the back of a photograph of her at 10 months old – "Here is Karen looking at a book. She enjoys books, especially those with pictures of animals in them."

Karen started drawing at the age of three. She attended public school in Winnipeg and was known as the “class artist." She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours degree. While studying for her Master of Visual Arts degree at the University of Alberta, Karen became fascinated with children’s book illustration and started to develop her unique collage style. After graduation, she moved to Toronto, Ontario.

Karen has been illustrating picture books for many years. Today, she does most of her artwork digitally, which takes as much time and skill as her traditional collage style – but isn’t nearly as messy.

Writing and illustrating nonfiction books about nature is her most recent activity. A tiny fruit fly, landing on the photograph of a giant beetle, was the inspiration for her first one – “Creatures Great and Small.”

Karen lives in Toronto with her husband Michael and their tabby cats, Tigger and Lily. She enjoys reading, writing, and illustrating picture books; especially those about animals and nature.