Author Jennifer Cook has a passion for all things ancient and mythical and, to date, has written two YA novels around these themes. Both Ariadne: the Maiden and the Minotaur and Persephone: Secrets of a Teenage Goddess, have strong female protagonists who present their stories through a contemporary voice.

Rather than present a simple retelling of the Greek myths, Jennifer has challenged the very nature of storytelling and history to provide a narrative that looks beyond the often one dimensional portrayal of heroes and women in these ancient tales. The result is an exploration of the emotional landscape of adolescence and the heroic effort often needed simply to survive.

Jennifer's passion for her stories makes her an engaging speaker who can transport students into a world that existed four thousand years ago while making it relevant to today's society. Whether it be the Olympic Games, life in Ancient Greece, the ancient stories and how they were told or an in-depth analysis of the works of Homer, Euripides, Plato, Socrates or Aristotle, Jennifer aims to ignite a passion for the past in her listeners. Her motto is that the human heart has not changed so much in thousands of years that we can't learn from some of the best writers of one of the greatest civilisations that ever existed.

Beyond ancient times, Jennifer can also instruct students how to bring out the best in their writing. She explains how they can make their stories live and breathe so that readers are transported from the everyday into the writer's world. Using her own stories as a template, she can demonstrate the writing process with all its pinnacles and pitfalls.

With her first picture book The Screaming Irrits (Lothian) due for publication in February 2007, Jennifer can also provide insight into this deceptively simple art form as well.

Jennifer's passion, enthusiasm and uniquely quirky way of looking at this world and worlds gone by, guarantee an entertaining and educational experience for students and adults alike.

FROM THE AUTHOR

Speaking in schools is something that I love to do – almost as much as writing my books! Writing for teenagers is a challenge I relish but trying to promote my books to them? It is easier to hunt for a woolly mammoth. They are elusive, secretive creatures with nocturnal habits that are rarely glimpsed at local bookshop signings. So to have the chance to interact with them in their albeit unnatural habitat of the classroom? Heaven! I love showing them how an ancient society and a bunch of dusty old gods can speak to them with just as much passion as the characters on Neighbours or the OC. And if along the way I spark an interest in mythology or my books, so much the better.

COMMENTS

The following are a selection of comments from students from years five to nine who took part in the "Follow Your Rainbow" festival held at Yarrawonga Secondary College in September, 2005. Jennifer presented a series of sessions examining Mythology and how she used it in her story writing:

• "I thought Jenny was great. I would like to read her books."
• "It was fantastic because it was something different and she made it really exciting."
• "So cool! I loved it, it was perfect! Not only is she a strong feminisht (like me) but she satisfied my obsession with Greek Mythology."
• "She was amazing. I really loved listening to her. She was so enthusiastic."
• "Jenny was really funny and really sparked my interest in Greek myths and her own books."
• "Was very interesting and presented us with facts in a fun way."
• "It was the best. Now I know what I want for my birthday."

To book Jennifer to speak in your school simply contact Bronwen Bennett of Show and Tell Promotions.

To pre-order Jen's books for your school, download the order form.

Alternatively you can use any of the methods below.

E-mail: info@showtell.com.au

Phone: 1300 732 339
Fax: 1300 732 919
Postal: PO Box 2202
Kew Victoria 3101
Australia.

Buy the books online - go to my Book Ordering page