Media and press kit
Stop back regularly for timely media kit updates including refreshed interview questions, flyers, assets, and other information about the How to Talk to Porcupines book journey.
Book information
Title: How to Talk to Porcupines: a youth worker’s communication field guide
Author: Allegra Birdseye-Hannula
Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press, St Paul, MN
Publication Date: September 19, 2023
ISBN: 13: 978-1-64343-702-6
Page length: 144
Purchase available:
- Buy directly from the author at howtotalktoporcupines.com
- Itasca Books
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist in two categories:
- Education/Reference
- General Non-Fiction
2023 Foreword INDIES Finalist in one category:
- Career – Adult nonfiction
2024 Nautilus Book Award Silver Winner in one category:
- Social Sciences & Education
2024 Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Awards Winner in one category:
- Education
National Indie Excellence Award Winner in the 18th Annual Contest in one category:
- Miscellaneous
National Indie Excellence Award Finalist in the 18th Annual Contest in three categories:
- Book Cover Design – Nonfiction
- Education
- How-to
2024 Human Relations Indie Book Awards Winner in four categories:
- Self-Help Human Relations Indie Book – Gold winner
- Informational Human Relations Indie Book – Gold winner
- Leadership Human Relations Indie Book – Bronze winner
- Workplace Human Relations Indie Book – Silver winner
Download the How to Talk to Porcupines sell sheet for key information. Check back in 2025 for updates to the sell sheet.
Back of book summary
How do you react when a prickly personality gets under your skin? This easy-to-use guide gives you the tools to ARISE to any situation so you can quickly de-escalate prickly personalities and get your relationship with youth back on track.
- Identify porcupines in the field
- Recognize when and how communication breaks down
- Improve your communication know-how to skillfully redirect prickly personalities
- Add effective and impactful communication strategies to your toolkit
- Acquire new tools and strategies to help youth name their big emotions
How to Talk to Porcupines offers a powerful set of tools and practical solutions to the most important challenge for today’s youth workers – communication breakdowns with youth.
Social media and contact
- howtotalktoporcupines.com
- howtotalktoporcupines@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/howtotalktoporcupines
- Facebook: facebook.com/howtotalktoporcupines
- LinkedIn: LInkedin.com/company/how-to-talk-to-porcupines
Contact the author at howtotalktoporcupines@gmail.com or call 612.389.0751.
Author information
Allegra Birdseye-Hannula, M.S. Teaching, is a learning and development expert based in Minnesota who coaches professionals on youth work and challenging behavior.
Based on her award winning workshops, Allegra wrote How to Talk to Porcupines to help deliver impactful communication and de-escalation strategies to help youth workers address the needs of prickly youth.
In her free time, you can find Allegra in a park, enjoying a cup of coffee, making music (drums, marimba, piano), or creating art.
Download a professional photo for use in publication.
Photo credit to Ben Saefke Photography.
Reviews and Press
Press releases available under Supplemental information and assets section.
See current reviews on the How to Talk to Porcupines BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly page.
Sample author and interview questions
Allegra is available for interviews with podcasts, radio shows, television, or print mediums.
Sample author questions and answers are available in the downloadable PDF for you to reference when working on an author interview.
See our BookLife Talks interview (September 2023) published in BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly.
Listen to the October 5th Bonus edition of the Passionate Youth Worker podcast featuring author Allegra Birdseye-Hannula talking with host Paul Meunier about How to Talk to Porcupines and the value of reflection in youth work.
Supplemental information and assets
Download these sample press releases for use in your publication beginning today.
Please reach out with questions or if you need additional information. We are happy to provide you with a customized announcement for your media or newsletter.
We are available for book signing events at your local library, school, or bookstore. Use this sample author event template or create your own.