Robert Priest, (Dr. Poetry on CBC's Wordbeat), is the author of fifteen books of poetry and hundreds of songs. His words have been debated in the legislature, posted in the Transit system, quoted by politicians, and sung on Sesame Street. In 1992 his lyric, Song Instead of a Kiss, was turned into a number one song by Rock diva Alannah Myles. He has 25 years experience giving workshops and readings for all ages from daycare to seniour citizens and has been writer-in-electronic-residence with WIER for over ten years. Robert has performed at literary festivals all over the world and is a regular contributor to Now Magazine. "Passionate, cocky alternately adoring and insulting verse." The Toronto Star.
Awards
The Milton Acorn Memorial People's Poetry Award, 1989.
Special Choice Award, Children's Book Centre, 1993.
Socan Airplay Award, 1994.
Chalmer's Award, Theatre for Young Audiences, 1998.
Selected Publications
The Secret Invasion of Bananas (Collected Children's Poems). (Cherubim Press,
Victoria)
Blue Pryamids: Selected Poems. (ECW Press 2002)
How to Swallow a Pig. (ECW Press 2004)
Scream Blue Living: New and Selected Poems. (Mercury
Press, 1992).
Day Songs, Night Songs. (Douglas & McIntyre, 1993).
Knights of the Endless Day. (Viking, 1993; Puffin Books,
1994).
The Ballad of the Blue Bonnet. (Groundwood Books, 1994).
A Terrible Case of the Stars. (Puffin, 1994).
Resurrection in the Cartoon. (ECW Press, 1997).
Tongue'n'Groove. (EMI/Artisan, 1997).
Time Release Poems. (Ekstasis Editions, 1998).
Minibugs and Microchips. (Playwrights Canada Press, 1998).
Lullabies and Playsongs. (Waterlily Music).
Selected Anthologies
The New Canadian Poets, 1970-1985. (McClelland & Stewart,
1985).
Nelson Language Arts Choosing Peace. (ITP Nelson, 1998).
Keeping the Peace. (ITP Nelson, 1998).
Books in Print
Priest, Robert
Day Songs, Night Songs. Douglas & McIntyre, 1993. $19.95
ISBN: 0-88899-180-0 (hb); $13.95 ISBN: 0-88899-179-7 (pb).
Knights of the Endless Day. Viking, 1993; Puffin Books,
1994. $16.99 ISBN: 0-670-84862-X.
Lullabies and Playsongs. (Waterlily Music).
Minibugs and Microchips. (Playwrights Canada Press, 1998).
Resurrection in the Cartoon. ECW Press, 1997. $12.00 ISBN
1-55022-313-5.
Scream Blue Living: New and Selected Poems. Mercury Press,
1992. $14.95 ISBN: 0-920544-92-4.
Ten Big Babies. Black Moss Press, 1989. $4.95 ISBN: 0-88753-196-2.
The Ballad of the Blue Bonnet. Groundwood Books, 1994.
$10.95 ISBN: 0-88899-205-X.
The Mad Hand. Coach House Press, 1988. $12.95 ISBN: 0-88910-366-6.
The Ruby Hat (children's verse). Mercury Press, 1987. $5.95
ISBN: 0-920544-47-9.
The Short Hockey Career of Amazing Jany (children's book).
Mercury Press, 1986. $5.95 ISBN: 0-920544-46-0.
Three Roberts on Childhood. Moonstone Press, 1985. $6.95
ISBN: 0-920259-07-3.
Time Release Poems. Ekstasis Editons, 1998.
Tongue'n'Groove. (EMI/Artisan, 1997).
His adult poetry: Blue Pyramids, can be purchased by phone through
Jaguar bookgroup : 905 877 4411
Robert Priest, 100 Bain Av, #9 Oaks, Toronto ON M4K
1E8, (416) 463-1385
rpriest@poempainter.com
www.poempainter.com
phone: 416-466-0047
Robert Priest has written poetry, songs, novels and plays for both children and adults. He has 25 years experience conducting readings and workshops in schools, libraries and universities across North America, Great Britain, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has taught at U of T, York U. Seneca College, Canadore College, Ryerson and in primary and secondary schools all over the world. He has also been a Writer-in-Electronic-Residence for the WIER program since 1992. Robert enjoys working with people of all ages, from Junior Kindergarten to Post-secondary ("Ontario's most popular poet in the schools" - Today's Parent magazine).
His children's works include: The Secret Invasion of Bananas, ("It's a great book for sharing.. It's wonderful." Ken Setterington - CBC Summer Book Panel.), an award-winning fantasy novel, Knights of the Endless Day (Viking, 1993), and three record albums, including the Ted's Lullabies and Playsongs ("pure magic" - The Kingston Whig Standard). For two seasons, he was resident song-writer for CBC radio and has written and performed songs for "Sesame Street" and "Eric's World". Robert has also published eight books of poems and prose for adults, including Blue Pyramids, How to Swallow a Pig, and The Mad Hand ("a candidly close encounter with an assured literary intelligence" - The Toronto Star), which won the 1989 Acorn "People's Poet" Award. Robert has recorded several rock albums and released three videos which were widely aired on MuchMusic during the eighties. His lyric "Song Instead of a Kiss" was turned into a number one song by Rock Diva, Alannah Myles and earned Robert a SOCAN airplay award. Other rock artists he has written with include Alanis Morrisette, Tom Cochran and Amy Sky. You can see a number of his recent poetry videos at http://www.poempainter.com. Robert was a weekly contributor to CBC's spoken word show Wordbeat, where he was known as Dr. Poetry. Robert writes regularly for Now Magazine about cultural issues.
Grade Levels: all
Fees: fees can be negotiable, especially for schools within Toronto
$550/ full day (school's portion is $350 for a full day, approx. 2 readings)
$300/ half day (school's portion is $200 for a half day, one reading)
Classroom Approach:
Robert likes to set the tone of the workshop by beginning with a reading of
his own work. He usually ends with a song and an in-depth
question-and-answer period. He believes it is important to present poetry in
a lively, accessible and engaging manner, so as to ensure the enthusiasm of
the students for the subject. He has developed many exercises designed to
tap into the students' creativity.