Biography
With over fifty picture books and children’s novels to her credit, Hazel Hutchins is an experienced presenter who delights in sharing her stories and creative writing tips with elementary students across Canada.
A daydreamer and a writer for as long as she can remember, Hazel grew up roaming the prairie fields and rolling foothills of southern Alberta. She later moved to the mountain town of Canmore where she and her husband raised their family and where she continues to live and write.
Her fiction includes family stories told with humour and warmth, mysteries with unexpected twists, characters who love quirky science facts, creative explorations in the art world and the deceptively small—but often very telling—choices of childhood.
Hazel’s stories are part of reading programs and short lists across Canada and the U. S., have won the National Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice, the Alberta R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature and can be found—in translation—in many interesting corners of the world.
Hazel will be available for online sessions exclusively in 2022.
Virtual Presentations
Get Ready to Write! – Grades K- 6
Where do stories come from? Are they instantly perfect? How do they turn into books?
With careful attention to the age level of her audience, Hazel talks about how she became a writer, where she finds ideas, the stages of turning ideas into finished stories and the polishing that happens when she rewrites. She shows interesting story objects, her own goofy doodle-writing, rough drafts, good drafts and—while showing different stages of artwork done by various illustrators—talks about the way the illustrations often both delight and surprise her.
K to Gr. 2 – 30 minutes, including a story-time reading of one of Hazel’s picture books.
Gr. 3 to Gr. 6 – 40 minutes, including writing tips and time for questions.
Cost:
If booking more than one session:
- $ 100 per session for K to Gr 2 (30 minutes)
- $ 110 per session for Gr 3- Gr 6 (40 minutes)
If booking only one session:
- $125 for K to Gr 2 (30 minutes)
- $140 for Gr 3 to Gr 6 (40 minutes)
(g.s.t. is charged in addition to the above rates)
Selected Bibliography
(full list of publications can be found on Hazel’s Home Page www.hazelhutchins.net)
Picture Books
The Truth About Wind, (co-author Gail Herbert. Illustrator Dušan Petričić ) Annick Press 2020, “Highly Recommended”- CM Reviews “Hutchins and Herbert have created a complex, memorable character…This galloping story will engage young readers and prompt meaningful conversation.”
—Canadian Children’s Book News, Spring 2020
Anna at the Art Museum, (co-author Gail Herbert, illustrator Lil Crump) Annick Press 2018, Kirkus *starred review. Joint Winner Purple Dragonfly Book, Arts/Music. “Art truly is for everybody in this charming book . . . The attention to detail is sublime as Crump’s gorgeous characters and scenery work to mirror the featured pieces on the wall that span centuries and cross oceans”– CM *starred review.
Snap, (illustrator Dušan Petričić, Annick) Annick Press 2015, Selected for Ontario Library Association Blue Spruce and CCBC Choice Lists
Mattland (co-author Gail Herbert. Illustrator Dušan Petričić) Annick Press 2008, Winner of Marilyn Baillie National Picture Book Award and Alberta’s R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature. Selected for OLA Blue Spuce and CCBC Choice Lists.
A Second is a Hiccup (Picture Book – illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton) Short listed for Norma Fleck Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction Award, Selected for OLA Blue Spruce and CCBC Choice Lists
Chapter books
The Great Bike Rescue, Orca Book Publishers, 2013 Ages 8-11 Selected for Ontario Library Assoc. Silver Birch Express, Hackmatack and R. Ross Annett Lists.
“TJ” Series : TJ and the Cats, TJ and the Haunted House, TJ and the Sports Fanatic, TJ and the Quiz Kids, Orca Book Publishers. 2002-2006, Ages 8-11 Winner of Saskatchewan Silver Willow Young Readers Choice Award. Selected for OLA Silver Birch Express and Hackmatack Lists.
“Robyn” First Novel Series from Formac Publishing Think Again, Robyn. Robyn’s Monster Play. Robyn’s Art Attack and 6 other Robyn titles. Ages 6 – 8
Reviews
“…she had us captivated, engaged, interested, and involved. …For one hour, 80 seven and eight year olds sat listening and participating in her author presentation. …Her creative process was magical to witness”
“… the students enjoyed her upbeat, energetic style while learning about the writing process. The rapport that she developed with them during her presentations has translated into an enthusiasm for reading and writing stories.”
“…. we all learned something – children and adults alike!”