Janet Wilson is an award winning author of non-fiction and creative non-fiction books for children. She has illustrated over fifty picture books in her thirty-five year career. She welcomes the opportunity to give inspirational talks on the power of young activists.
On November 30th, 2024 the world will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of L. M. Montgomery.
Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery’s Anne Enchanted the World explores the intertwined legacies of Anne Shirley's world and Montgomery’s life. It traces the story of Montgomery’s début novel, Anne of Green Gables, from conception to the 1908 publication, and through its meteoric rise to becoming a beloved classic in Canada and around the world. Maud of Green Gables considers why L. M. Montgomery’s book has never been out of print and why is Anne one of the most recognizable characters in all of literature. Much of this fascinating story is told in Montgomery's own words quoted from her autobiography, personal journals, and from Anne of Green Gables. Each full-page oil painting is inspired by Anne’s or Maud’s inspirational quotes.
Maud of Green Gables was written to appeal to students and also to support school curriculum. For example, Maud and Anne encourage readers to rise above gender and class discrimination and to see natural beauty in even the most common places. It delves into the challenges and rewards in the creative process and the importance of hard work and perseverance to achieve success. I also show the step-by-step approach to creating an illustration from start to finish.
Drawing, art, and the creative process:
Step-by-step I show the progress of an illustration from concept to finished art. I give basic instruction and encouragement to improve drawing, ending with a portrait demonstration and donate the sketch to your school. Workshops sizes are limited.
"Janet’s passion for social, environmental, and First Nations justice issues, as well as art, makes her a versatile and inspiring speaker."
The key to the success of my talks is in stories— let extraordinary young activists deliver their hopeful and helpful messages in their own video-taped voices, or through their poetry, art, and music, to inspire the activist in all of us. By example, they show that by working together and making positive choices, even small efforts can make the world better and kinder. Their actions will empower and motivate students to feel deeply, act responsibly, and to learn and think critically. Designed to support your curriculum needs, my talks encompass a broad range of equity and rights issues, particularly social, environmental, and indigenous justice. It is an hour-long emotional roller coaster ride that will remain with you and your students long after my visit. And with all those sparks flying, who knows what fire will be lit.
