Kevin Sylvester

Readings

I talk about all my books so the talks range from cooking related murder mysteries to the weird and wacky world of sports. The readings include anecdotes from my books as well as personal reflections from my many trips to major sporting events, including the Olympics.

I am also available for “career day” talks as well as illustration workshops.

Special Equipment:

I draw a lot during my presentations so I need a flip chart and paper. If you have markers that’s great. Also, I need a microphone and loudspeakers for large groups (150+).

Book Sales:

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

Workshops

I give my patented "5 second cartooning class" in which I give the kids a chance to learn some basic cartooning techniques, with an emphasis on practice, practice, practice.

We also go over proper pen and ink choices and what paper to use for the best results.

Special Equipment:

Paper, pens, flip charts.

Book Sales:

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

Other Presentations

I have extensive experience emceeing fundraisers and giving keynote addresses. I try to mix humour with lots of time for questions and answers.

I was also the emcee of the 2010 Silver Birch Award ceremonies!

Biography

Kevin Sylvester is an award-winning illustrator, writer and broadcaster. His new series The Neil Flambé Capers is currently being published by Key Porter Books. Book #1 Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders was released in spring 2010. Book #2 Neil Flambé and the Aztec Abduction will be released in fall 2010 and Book #3 Neil Flambé and the Crusader Curse will be released in spring 2011.

Neil is a 14-year-old super-chef from Vancouver who solves mysteries on the side for the Vancouver Police Department. Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun” and it had garnered critical praise and sales!

2010 has been a busy year for Kevin. His first picture book Splinters will be published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?

Game Day is a look behind the scenes at sporting events. Kevin interviewed twenty fascinating people – from Zamboni drivers to anthem singers. It will be published by Annick in fall 2010.

Kevin also provided the illustrations for Catherine Rondina’s Don’t Touch that Toad, a book of weird wisdom parents pass on to their children. It’s out in fall 2010 from Kids Can Press.

He is a popular speaker and emcee and has visited nearly 100 schools and libraries in the past few years. Kevin has written three other best-selling books. Sports Hall of Weird and Gold Medal for Weird for kids and Shadrin Has Scored for Russia for bigger kids. Gold Medal for Weird won the 2009 Silver Birch for Non-Fiction. Sports Hall of Weird was the runner-up in 2007.

He has been a broadcaster on national radio in Canada for years and years and has covered eight Olympic Games. He also produced documentaries on topics ranging from racism in hockey to the history of church bells in Canada.

He now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto.