David LaRochelle - Author Illustrator

Contact Information

Address:

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Book Category: Nonfiction,Picture Books,Young Adult Fiction

Books

1 + 1 = 5 and Other Unlikely Additions. Illus. by Brenda Sexton. Sterling, August 2010.

The End. Illus. by Richard Egielski. Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, January 2007.

Absolutely, Positively Not. Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2005.

The Best Pet of All. Illus. by Hanako Wakiyama. Dutton, 2004.

The Bookstore Valentine. Written by Barbara Maitland. Dutton, 2002.

The Evening King. Illus. by Catherine Stock. Atheneum, 1993.

The Stingy Baker. Written by Janet Greeson. Carolrhoda, 1990.

A Christmas Guest. Illus. by Martin Skoro. Carolrhoda, 1988 I am also the creator of the Mad Mysteries and Picture That puzzle series published by Price Stern Sloan, and have illustrated all of Donna Erickons books on creative parenting.

Highlights

I am a former fourth grade teacher who has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1988. My work has appeared in many magazines, including "Cricket" and "Spider." When I am not writing, illustrating, or visiting schools, I love to hike at Minnesota's state parks, play board games, and carve pumpkins. And of course I love to read!

Awards

The End. SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Award for picture book text, 2007.

Absolutely, Positively Not. 2005 Sid Fleischman Humor Award; ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2005; Booklist Top Ten Novel by a New Author, 2005; Choice Books of 2005 by the Cooperative Children's Book Center.

The Best Pet of All. Minnesota Book Award, 2005; Child Magazine's "Best Books of 2004"; Childrens Book Sense Top Ten Selection, Fall 2004.

Presentations

I have conducted over 200 residencies at schools throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. My background as a teacher enables me to work comfortably and effectively with both students and teachers. The majority of my presentations have been at elementary schools, though on occasion I have spoken at middle schools. Feel free to contact me for a list of references. I prefer speaking to individual classrooms or groups of up to 80 students rather than large school assemblies. During a typical one-hour presentation I discuss the process of writing a story from first draft to published book, emphasizing the importance of editing. I show the various steps involved in creating the illustrations for a picture book, do some quick sketching, and give the students tips that they can use in their own drawings. I'm also available to conduct creative writing activities in the classroom. My residencies have lasted from one day to two weeks.

Fees

My fee for a one-day school visit within the Twin Cities is $600. Outside of the Metro area I charge $700 per day plus expenses, and outside of Minnesota I charge $800 per day plus expenses.

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Updated: 2010/02/16:1