Conrad J. Storad, Children's Science & Nature Author
A Good Non-Fiction Book Should Be More Than Just a Bunch of Facts!
A good nonfiction story should be more than just a bunch of facts. Author Conrad J. Storad says that nonfiction stories should be fun. That's exactly what he tries to do with each and every book that he writes for young readers. Storad is an award-winning author, editor, science writer, and teacher. He is the author or editor of more than 50 science and nature books for children and young adults and has been honored with many national awards for his writing and editing.
Storad has read stories and done author presentations and writing workshops for more than 1 million boys and girls during 1,500-plus school and library visits in 17 states. After reaching the 1 million mark during a March 2017 visit to Mariposa Elementary School in Tempe, Arizona, students urged him to press on toward 2 million. In addition to his very active event schedule, Storad also continues to edit books and writes a column, "Conrad's Classroom" for Story Monsters Ink magazine.
In February 2010, Storad retired from his "day job" as director of the Office of Research Publications at Arizona State University. For more than 24 years he was executive editor for the nationally acclaimed ASU Research Magazine. He also was the founding editor of Chain Reaction Magazine, a science magazine for young readers. During his tenure at ASU, Storad and his staff won more than 350 regional, national, and international awards for writing, editing, photography, illustration, publication and Web site design, and video production.
Prior to ASU, Storad was a reporter, editor, and general manager for The Barberton Herald newspaper in northeast Ohio. He also worked as a science/medical writer for the U.S. National Cancer Institute, a freelance magazine writer, and as a feature writer/editor at Kent State University. He earned a mass media communication degree from the University of Akron in 1979. In 1983, he received a master's degree in mass communication/science journalism from ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication and was a Year 2000 inductee to the Cronkite School's Journalism Hall of Fame. Storad also was a 2007 inductee to the Barberton High School Academic Hall of Fame. He is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, International Reading Association, Arizona Book Publisher's Association, and is a past president of the University Research Magazine Association.
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Speaking Engagements and School Presentations:
I have programs to fit every age group and grade level. "Tales from the Sonoran Desert" is designed for primary grade students. I use multimedia, puppets and props to do animated readings for younger children—pre-school, kindergarten, or primary and intermediate elementary grade students. Allow at least 45 to 60 minutes for this presentation. I select readings from my growing list of award-winning picture books, including: Gator, Gator, Second Grader, Monster in the Rocks, The Bat Book, Fang and Stinger (An Arachnid Tale), Arizona Way Out West and Wacky!, Rattlesnake Rules, Desert Night Shift (A Pack Rat Story), or one of many other stories.
For older students or for in-service teacher seminars, I offer "More Than Just the Facts—Making Nonfiction FUN!", my 60-minute, 90-minute, or 2-hour writing workshop. The workshop is focused on the craft of writing nonfiction for young readers, complete with writing exercises for all participants. "Read Me a Story: Cultivating the Art of Listening" is my workshop devoted to promoting the importance of reading aloud to pre-readers.
Since 1994, I've completed more than 1,500 author presentations and writing workshops for more than 1 million students in 17 states. I've presented to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and to adult audiences as well. My presentations work well for readers ages 4 to 94...and beyond.
Presentation Audience:
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Middle School
Experience:
300+ Visits
Location:
Ohio and Arizona
Willing to travel
Book Type:
Picture book
Children's Non-Fiction
Educational
Adult Non-Fiction
Topics:
Animals/Wildlife
Astronomy
Creativity
Nature
Publishing
Science/Chemistry/Biology/Physics
Weather
Writing