"FREE TO BE ME" A Book about ADHD & Introduction of A Free On Line Writing Portal for Inner City Children
EVENT: Book Launch of Free to Be Me, a book about ADHD written by the 10-year-old author of the bestseller ‘Superheroes Don’t Have Dads’, James Valitchka, who will also launch his online writing program, which is free for inner city children
Date: Tues., Sept. 20, 2005
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: The Sutton Place Hotel, 955 Bay Street, corner of Bay St. and Wellesley
R.S.V.P.: (905) 781-7575
Special Guests:
Lincoln Alexander, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Stanley Grizzle, retired Citizenship Judge and James' Godfather
Michael Lashley, Consul General for Trinidad and Tobaggo
Orlando Bowen: Motivational Speaker and Professional Athlete
Children from The Child Development Institute
Sponsor: The Sutton Place Hotel
Itinerary:
10:00 : Welcome by Orlando Bowen
10:05: Greetings from Lincoln Alexander
10:10: Introduction of James Valitchka by Stanley Grizzle
10:15: Speech by James on "Children being too quickly diagonosed with ADHD"
10:25: Reading & Slide from "Free to Be Me", a Book about ADHD
10:30: Questions & Discussion
10:45: Short speech: "Literacy as a Solution for Bullying"
10:50: Reading of "Superheroes Don't Have Dads
11: 00 Presentation to Children from the Child Development Institute
11:10 : Social
Book Summary: A young energetic 7 year old is thought to have ADHD by his teacher. Tyson is energetic, intelligent and loves to laugh, but the medication turns him into a depressed zombie who doesn't laugh, feel and has a constant headache and sore stomach. His mother prays for the return of her laughing son and finally decides to let George be himself - free of medication. As he grows up he discovers that he is really just a kid with lots of imagination and energy.
Educational Editor Review: This is another winner by the courageous and honest James Valitchka, author of "Superheroes Don't Have Dads". James has the ability to make us laugh and reminisce while tackling serious and complex issues that affect millions of children. This is a powerful and realistic book about a 7 year old boy's battle with the suggestion that he has ADHD and a teacher who insists that his mother put him on medication.This book will be enjoyed by both children and adults. Every doctor, psychologist and principal should have this in their office.
Background: James has invited children from The Child Development Institute to attend the event and is offering them a free spot in the online writing program, as well as copies of his ‘Superheroes Don’t Have Dads’ book. The Child Development Institute is a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto fighting childhood aggression, child abuse, early childhood disorders and family violence.
On Line Writing Portal: This writing program, which is free for inner city children was created by Voltige Multimedia. Children can log on at libraries, community centers or at home and be taught how to write books by a teacher and James. Children choose a 1 hour time slot per week. The writing course times are Tuesdays from 4 to 5 and Wednesdays from 4 to 5 and 6 to 7.
James will visit Toronto-area schools Tues., Sept. 20 and Wed., Sept. 21 to offer students free passwords to his online writing program.
The online writing program, part of www.jamesvalitchka.com, allows children to join a chatroom, receive writing instruction from an Ontario certified teacher, ask James questions on writing, as well as learn about his favourite books. It is free to children of low-income families.
As the youngest winner of the 2005 Top 20 Under 20 national award honouring leadership and innovation, James is a goodwill ambassador for literacy. He has visited schools across Canada encouraging children to read and write. James' Book Tour for Literacy is expanding to the United States in October 2005.
James wrote ‘Superheroes Don’t Have Dads’ at eight years old. It’s the story of a boy who is angry and sad because he doesn’t have a dad in his life. He is bullied and then becomes a bully before deciding to change his life and behaviour. By becoming an author, James turned his life in a new direction. James is now a keynote speaker on anti-bullying.
Please visit www.jamesvalitchka.com for additional information.
James’ books can be purchased by emailing jamesvalitchka@yahoo.ca. They may also be purchased at the Toronto Women’s Bookstore, 416-922-8744 or www.womensbookstore.com.
This event is sponsored by The Sutton Place Hotels.
The event will be held at The Sutton Place Hotel, located at 955 Bay Street, in Royal Sutton Ballroom Salon C.
Please contact Teresa Donia at iAMBIC COMMUNICATIONS, 905-508-5550 or teresa@iambic.ca for information or to interview James Valitchka.
Copyrighted to James Valitchka. No portion of this page or website can be copyrighted or distributed for any reason without the express written authorization from James Valitchka and his legal guardian.