Writer · Author · Editor

Creation and publishing of books, educational resources, and marketing materials for the children’s market.

About Carol Watterson

I am a BC-based author, freelance writer, editor, and publishing consultant. Living on nature’s doorstep on Vancouver Island, where the forest meets the sea, fuels my love of the natural world. Children’s books are my favourite art form as they offer the opportunity to create a visual experience through words and illustration; the story is my canvas. I write stories for children, for adults who read with children, and for those who have never outgrown their love of children’s books. My own curiosity and love of storytelling inspires me to write stories that encourage children to discover and explore the natural world. With my first picture book, An Edible Alphabet: 26 Reasons to Love the Farm, Tricycle Press/Random House, I told stories related to food, farming, and agriculture.

My professional roots are in ever-changing Canadian publishing landscape, where for 25+ years I’ve worked in a variety of roles including Associate Publisher at Raincoast Books where I developed and acquired both fiction and non-fiction for readers of all ages. Both in-house and then as an independent publishing professional, I’ve honed my skills in every aspect of the industry, from acquisitions, contracts, rights and development to editorial, production, design, and sales and marketing. Now, as an independent publishing professional, writing coach, freelance writer, and author I enjoy applying my skills and enthusiasm for storytelling to help clients and authors tell their stories . I am also the co-principal of Behind the Book (behindthebook.ca), a self-publishing consulting company that works with authors to self-publish books – including children’s picture books – of the highest standards.

Services I Offer

WRITING

A compelling story and narrative experience can take many forms, from a traditional book, a series of worksheets, a poster, booklet or game to visual art and online content. I write stories, primarily for early and emerging readers. Each story is told through an engaging narrative often combined with fun facts and illustrations. I also create non-fiction narratives and educational resources for classrooms and teaching settings on a variety of subjects.

CONTENT CREATION

Do you have a product or message that you want to share with children and/or educators? I can help you create stories that will capture the attention and imagination of young readers. I collaborate with designers, illustrators and photographers to develop the best possible style, design and narrative for you. I’ll work with you to evaluate your existing materials, both in print and online, and help you develop impactful and engaging projects for your audience.

EDITING & BOOK COACHING

I have been a publisher, an author, an editor, a bookseller, and a writer and know what it takes to make a great children’s book. I know how publishing works and also understand how valuable yet daunting the editorial process can be. Whether your goal is to self-publish, or submit to an agent or publisher, I can help you write a book children will want to read again and again. I’ll also walk you through the publishing process from manuscript evaluation, project development, editorial, and design.

Samples From My Portfolio

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Alfalfabet; The Wonderful Words from Agriculture

By Carol Watterson, illustrations by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers 5 -10 years, 48 pages
Published in trade cloth and paperback editions
Client: BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation

Not just a picture book, nor just an A to Z, but a joyous journey into the world of farming to discover where our food really comes from, Alfalfabet was conceived and developed for BC Agriculture in the Classroom as their premier resource for teachers and educators for primary classrooms and was distributed to the retail trade across Canada.

“This engaging and informative foray into farms of all kinds practically bursts with the creators’ enthusiasm for their subject….The book succeeds on many levels; each letter features an alliterative and/or silly sentence or two, suitable for a classroom storytime, while additional text offers more information about the plants and animals featured on a spread.”
— Review, School Library Journal, July 1, 2011

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An Edible Alphabet; 26 Reasons to Love the Farm

By Carol Watterson, illustrations by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers 5-10 years, 48 pages
Trade cloth edition available from Random House Kids
Client: Tricycle Press/Random House Kids

“In this food-focused ABC book for a wide age range, the combination of facts and language play creates plenty of fun….Kids will enjoy learning about common foods, even as they savor the clever wordplay for each letter of the alphabet.”
— Review, Booklist, June 7, 2011

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Cranberry Bounce; Tales from a BC Cranberry Farm

By Carol Watterson, design by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers 5-10 years
Client: BC Cranberry Marketing Commission

A series of educational information sheets developed for the BC Cranberry Marketing Commission for new and emerging readers. Through photographs, stories and facts, five-year-old Jack Keefer shares his stories about the history of cranberry farming, growing and harvesting cranberries and growing up on Yellow Point Cranberry Farm on Vancouver Island. These sheets are used to enhance the experiences of visitors and provide educators teaching materials for farming/science and literacy curriculum studies.

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The Scoop on This Week’s Snack

By Carol Watterson, illustrations/design by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers K-grade 3
Client: BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP)

A series of information sheets created to assist teachers in leading their primary students on discussions as they observe the colour, shape, texture, flavour, smell and taste of a variety of fresh snacks delivered to classrooms as part of the BCAITC snack program. Each sheet is double-sided (for printing and/or download) and includes facts, trivia, history, along with information on how each fruit or vegetable is grown and harvested and a related agriculture topic. All are presented in a fun and engaging manner and designed to help children discover more about where their food comes from and agriculture in BC.

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The Double Scoop on This Week’s Snack

By Carol Watterson, illustrations/design by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers grades 4-7
Client: BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP)

These double-sided information sheets further the discussion of where our food comes from by introducing middle-grade students to the growers and suppliers of each of the fresh fruit and vegetable snacks provided on the program throughout the school year. Each sheet profiles a BC farmer or grower along with their product and engages students in exercises and activities related to agriculture incorporating math, language arts and social studies curriculum.

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A Cow’s Tale

By Carol Watterson, illustrations by Michela Sorrentino
Recommended for readers K-grade 4
Client: BC Dairy Association

A book told in 13 consecutive chapters designed to introduce primary students to the wonderful world of milk and dairy farming. The narrative follows the days in the life of a calf named ‘Please’ on a fictional family-run BC dairy farm. With each chapter as seasons change and ‘Please’ grows, together she and readers learn all about dairy cows and discover where milk comes from and the many activities and jobs on a dairy farm. Each chapter includes an experiment, engaging classroom learning game, or a seasonal craft.

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It All Starts Here

By Carol Watterson, illustration/design by Michela Sorrentino
Client: BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation

A sample from series of posters and classroom display pieces created by BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation in partnership with the BC Ministry of Agriculture to enhance their health, food and agriculture curricula.

Contact Me

Have a publishing or writing project you’d like to discuss? Please use the form below to send me a message by email. I look forward to hearing from you!