Robin has incredible range and sensitivity as a presenter and writing mentor to children, adults, and everyone in-between. From primary grades to senior writers, there was no audience that Robin was not able to connect with and  support in their learning – growing their writing skills, expanding their understanding of and empathy for an array of characters and narratives, and mindfully creating a space where everyone could feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves.

Robin Stevenson’s Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story presentation was engaging, thought-provoking, and pitch-perfect for their age. “Who knows what a refugee is” she asked at the beginning. “Someone who is against the law?” one child answered. “Someone who other people don’t want to be here?” replied another.  I was shocked and saddened, but Robin took it gently in stride without blaming or shaming, drawing the children into the story of Ghost the cat and her two dads fleeing Indonesia. By the end of the story, all the kids wanted to talk about children they’d met who were from other countries, and, of course, ask questions about Ghost. As the class filed out afterwards, Robin noticed one student hanging back and came over with a warm smile. “My family is from Syria” he began tentatively… 

First- rate, passionate presenter.  By helping kids connect the task of writing with the very real freedom of sharing stories they care about, Robin has a way of getting even the most reluctant kid excited about writing.