Bio

Leo LaFleur is an award-winning author from Saint John. His children’s series The Errand has received National recognition by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s (CCBC) Best Books for Kids and Teens Magazine in Canada, 2021, and was shortlisted for the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children’s Writing. Furthermore, Leo has been nominated for multiple music related awards including Producer of the Year at the MusicNB Awards, and has most recently won a Dr. Marylin Trenholme Counsell Literacy Award through the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick.

Residency Project

Teachers around the world have contacted me from their respective countries to express how my book series The Errand has inspired their students to write their own fast paced, poetic stories. I love to inspire this incredible feeling of storytelling, and as an Artist in Residence I will be able to further assist children with the special knowledge and self-confidence needed to tell their stories. Over several weeks we will discuss different elements of storytelling (e.g. building mystery and intrigue, pacing, introducing characters, fitting in illustrations, etc.) and by the end of the residency each student will present their stories to the class. As a special bonus, a Musical Score is being written and recorded for my illustrated books by Sistema Director Rachel Kidd (and produced by myself) that I will share with the class, further bringing to light the very cool pieces needed for theatrical and cinematic creations. We will have one unique lesson dedicated to ‘Score Writers’ ‘Producers’ ‘Writers’ ‘Illustrators’ ‘Dramaturges’ and ‘Directors’ to briefly discuss their respective roles in books, film, and theatre.

Teaching Experience

I taught English in Asia for three years and I have a real gift for connecting with children in group settings. I used humour and stories to engage my K-9 students in classroom settings, and I wrote songs for the younger age groups. Class prep, organization, development of themes, improvisation, and inspiring creativity are all challenging and rewarding elements of working with children. The most important thing, however, in working with children is a special personality to truly see who they are and the profound nature of their minds!