Alessandra currently lives with her beloved partner in Parkdale, Toronto, where they raise their two daughters and a very large cactus named Tupac. The cactus is thriving because it cannot read the news. If you are trying to work out from the previous sentences if she is gay or not, she is, let me save you the internet sleuthing. She writes children’s books that she wishes were moody and beautiful but are mostly quite silly with undertones of overthrowing the patriarchy. She maintains three jobs, because writing has yet to pay any bill in full, she works as a supply teacher in Toronto, and makes internet videos about pasta with her nonna. You can find her with the aforementioned pasta @nonna.elda.cooks or if inclined you can find her oversharing about her life @readwithriver
Alessandra specializes in primary/junior vocal music teaching, and spent several years teaching Kindergarten music/drama/dance in the Toronto District School Board. Her musical storytime is a fast paced interactive presentation which gets kids up and dancing, singing, and engaging. The musical storytime includes a reading of both of her currently released picturebooks, “THE BOY WHO CRIED POOP!” And “I DON’T CARE WHAT SIMON SAYS!”
What does it actually take to get a picturebook published, and why would some people opt for self publishing vs traditional publishing? Alessandra Requena is a published picturebook author who has also worked as a slush pile reader for The Catchpole Agency, as a picturebook reviewer and, as a freelance editor for picturebook writers. In one hour we will cover the most common mistakes that people make when pitching a picturebook to an agent or publisher, the process of actually applying to an agent or open submissions publisher, and have time for Q&A.
I divide my school visits in to two separate categories, with a musical story time for K-2 students that is fast paced, interactive and involves dancing, singing, as well as a reading. I suggest these be a maximum of two classes at a time to give kids the ability to see the book as well as space for them to move safely.
For the junior program, I do workshops one to two classes maximum at a time, with a choice of either “Comedy Writing Basics” with follow up activities for students that teachers can use for assessment. Alternatively I also do workshops on “How to Actually Edit” which is a workshop on the basics of good writing, and how to work with partners on structural editing beyond spelling and grammar.
