Writer and educator Larry Verstraete lives in Winnipeg. An author mainly of non-fiction books for young people, Larry began writing for youngsters while still teaching, drawing upon two strong interests for inspiration – science and true adventure. Those elements can be seen, something together, in the subjects Larry explores in his books as well as in his style of writing. Many of his published works are on scientific themes and utilize, to varying degrees, a narrative non-fiction writing style.
An active promoter of books and literacy, Larry is a frequent visitor to schools and libraries where he shares his enthusiasm for science and writing with students, teachers and parents. He has also presented at conferences and festivals such as Calgary’s Wordfest, Winnipeg’s International Children’s Festival, and Thin Air, The Winnipeg International Writers Festival. As well, Larry has toured with TD Canadian Children’s Book Week and in connection with B.C.’s Red Cedar, Ontario’s Silver Birch, and the Maritime’s Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award.
Website: www.larryverstraete.com
Books
Surviving the Hindenburg. Illustrated by David Geister. Sleeping Bear Press, 2012
Shortlisted, 2014 New York Reading Association Charlotte Award
Finalist, 2012 USA Best Book Awards, Children’s Picture Book, Hardcover Non-fiction
Category
Recommended, 2012 Parent’s Choice Foundation
Recommended, Best Books, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2012
Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science. Scholastic Canada, 2011
Honour Book, 2013 Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award
Shortlisted, 2013 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award
Shortlisted, 2012 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award
Recommended, Best Books, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2012
S is for Scientists: A Discovery Alphabet. Illustrated by David Geister. Sleeping Bear Press, 2010
Winner, 2012 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award
Selected, 2011 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12,
National Science Teachers Association & Children’s Book Council
G is for Golden Boy: A Manitoba Alphabet. Illustrated by Brian Lund. Sleeping Bear Press, 2009.
Shortlisted, 2010 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award
At the Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Time. Scholastic Canada, 2009
Winner, 2010 Silver Birch Non-fiction Award
Shortlisted, 2010 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award
Shortlisted, 2012 Rocky Mountain Book Award
Recommended, Best Books, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2010
Lost Treasures: True Stories of Discovery. Scholastic Canada, 2006
Winner, 2007 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award
Shortlisted, 2008 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award
Shortlisted, 2008 Rocky Mountain Children’s Choice Book Award
Survivors: True Death-Defying Escapes. Scholastic Canada, 2003
Winner, 2006 Red Cedar Award for Non-fiction
Winner, 2004 Silver Birch Award for Non-fiction
Our Choice, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2005
Extreme Science: Science in the Danger Zone. Scholastic Canada, 2000
ResourceLinks Magazine – Best of the Year 2000
Our Choice, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2000
Accidental Discoveries: From Laughing Gas to Dynamite. Scholastic Canada, 1999
Shortlisted, 1999 Norma Fleck Award for Non-Fiction
Selected, CBC Radio Recommended Reading List
Whose Bright Idea Was It? Scholastic Canada, 1997
Honour Book, 1998 Silver Birch Non-fiction Award
Shortlisted, 2000 Red Cedar Award for Non-fiction
Selected, Canadian Toy Testing Council, 25 Great Books, 2001
Selected, Emergency Librarian: Top Outstanding Books for 1997
Our Choice, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 1998
Mysteries of Time. Scholastic Canada, 1992
Our Choice, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 1993
Upcoming:
Life or Death: Surviving the Impossible. Scholastic Canada, 2014