Here you'll find comments by teachers, librarians, and others about my presentations.
Holding the cream can off the floor!
Alberta Culture Days Guest Author, September 28, 2018.
"Joseph’s presentation, entitled ‘The Web of Human Life,’ was thoroughly engaging and informative. Through an interactive demonstration with the students, and in his relaxed and engaging manner, Joseph was able to share—through the use of his book ‘Under a Living Sky’—a fundamental importance in society: the importance of every person and how we play a valuable role not only individually but collectively for the survival and progress of our communities.
"I feel the children took away from his presentation a recognition and realization that we have a responsibility to strive, with the talents and gifts we have been given, to do our part, and truly be the change we need for good in our world. Joseph brilliantly inspired our students and left them wanting more.
"Thank you Joseph, we are really looking forward to the sequel!"
Laura McGillis
Children’s Programmer
Stony Plain Public Library
"Joseph’s presentation, entitled ‘The Web of Human Life,’ was thoroughly engaging and informative. Through an interactive demonstration with the students, and in his relaxed and engaging manner, Joseph was able to share—through the use of his book ‘Under a Living Sky’—a fundamental importance in society: the importance of every person and how we play a valuable role not only individually but collectively for the survival and progress of our communities.
"I feel the children took away from his presentation a recognition and realization that we have a responsibility to strive, with the talents and gifts we have been given, to do our part, and truly be the change we need for good in our world. Joseph brilliantly inspired our students and left them wanting more.
"Thank you Joseph, we are really looking forward to the sequel!"
Laura McGillis
Children’s Programmer
Stony Plain Public Library
Peace Library System Author Tour, October 24-27, 2011.
"Rose-Marie and I both agree that you did an excellent job of the author tour; you held up well on a long four-day tour to 592 students!
"Your presentation style was very engaging and drew the children’s interaction. It seemed particularly effective when you sat down at their level and they sat near you. The children’s responses to your questions and their insights into what you read demonstrated how keenly they were listening, and showed their interest in both your published novel, Under a Living Sky, and your manuscript Two Skies, One Sun.
"You paced the presentations well, with just the right amount of reading and then question time, and then introduced the manuscript of the novel you are working on now. I believe the audiences also really enjoyed the progression of your readings from published book, to manuscript, to ideas for the third and final novel.
"Your humour and calm delivery style kept the participants attentive and engaged.
"We enjoyed touring you around our region and hope that Scamp has fully recovered from missing you!"
[Scamp had gone missing the day before I left. The owner of a local coffee shop thought he'd take Scamp home, but his waitress ratted him out. Scamp is home now, as you see.]
Katherine Wiebe
Consulting Services Manager
Peace Library System
Workshop for Grade 8 students who submitted portfolios to Margaret T. Stevenson Talented Young Writer Award competition, EBSB, 2011.
"The activity you selected involved the students in a discussion in pairs, a good choice since the students were from different schools and hadn't met before. Students could draw on their knowledge of the lives of grandparents / great-grandparents, their memories, and also their own creativity as they moved from discussion into their own writing.
"As students read aloud from what they had written, your comments were perceptive and succinct. The focus was on the strengths the students had demonstrated and how they could improve their writing by building on their strengths. Certainly a rewarding morning for all."
Margaret T. Stevenson
(Shown in the picture are Margaret T. Stevenson, Rachel (16th winner of the award), and me, one of the judges. The contest is for grade 8 students in Edmonton Public Schools.)
Young Alberta Book Society
Joe’s presentation is low-key, full of gentle wit, and many anecdotes that inform, amuse and keep students focused. I listened to a session for junior high age, and even though the audience for “Under a Living Sky” is generally younger than these students were, they were interested and attentive. And I thought the book was wonderful – great characterization of the relationship between sisters, and of parents pressured by economic and climatic situations beyond their control. If what doesn’t kill you makes you strong, then these are people who don’t yet know how strong they actually are.
Lilas Bond
Assistant Director
Fort Assiniboine Library. Fort Assiniboine, Alberta
Joe came up with a great idea to help the students understand exactly how the Great Depression affected families. He called it "The Web of Human Life." It was a very creative and thought provoking exercise.
Following the presentation, some of the students stated that they sure wouldn't like it if they had to live through a depression. I thought this was really great because when they came in to the presentation, I am sure many of them didn't even know what a depression was. They hear people talk about 'depression' but more as a state of mind than a societal problem. I think the students left the presentation with a new understanding of the word. Thanks, Joe.
Louise Davison
Fort Assiniboine Library
J.J. Bowlen Catholic Junior High School
Your sensitive approach in presenting this story about the struggles of a family in a small prairie town during the Depression was well received by our school audience. Students were able to make connections with the challenges all families face and many were asking for the book after your presentation, to continue to read on and find out about the family's fate.
Deb Walsh
Media Resources
J.J. Bowlen Catholic Junior High School
Edmonton, Alberta
Davidson, Saskatchewan
Joseph Simons' visit to our school was inspiring to the students, staff and community members who attended. He quickly gained rapport with his audience, and both young and old drank in the story behind the creation of Under a Living Sky. Students were also fascinated and excited to hear of Joseph's plans to write another book involving our town as a location. We look forward to reading his next book!
Shari Martin
Principal/Teacher Librarian
Davidson Elementary School
Sir Alexander Mackenzie School
Mr. Simons,
Thank you for your presentation to our grade three students. Your kindness, humour, and kid-friendly ideas were appreciated. I'm sure they'll feel more inspired & less anxious as they compose their own stories.
I'm looking forward to reading your next book!
Karen Sylvester
St. Albert, Alberta
Calgary Academy
Mr. Simons gave a presentation at our school, Calgary Academy, on December 16th for grades four, five and six. It was an introduction to his book, “Under a Living Sky.” His presentation included a brief explanation of the time period and introduction to the main characters. He then read a chapter from the novel. It was evident that Mr. Simons has had experience reading to children, in his ability to stop at appropriate points to clarify understanding.
My favorite part of his presentation was when he took questions from the children. He was patient and thorough in his answers. He discussed the amount of effort and number of revisions it took before he had a book published. This was of particular importance to me as an educator because it is often difficult to motivate children to revise their written work. Mr. Simons ended with a book signing which was enjoyed by the students.
This was a meaningful presentation for my students. We enjoyed hearing about the depression in Saskatchewan and learning about becoming a writer. I recommend Mr. Simons to other schools to share his latest book.
Maureen Kelly-Gibson
Calgary, Alberta
