Teachers & Media Specialists

Author Visits
I love visiting schools to speak to young writers. And I’m happy to tailor my presentation to support your curriculum and classroom goals. I can talk about writing Life is Life or Elvis & Olive, my middle-grade novel published by Scholastic Press. We can do writing exercises together. I can teach improvisation games, which I use as strategic tools in my storytelling. It's totally up to you! Based on your needs, I’ll create an engaging and educational event.

To ask about availability and fees, and tell me what you’re looking for in an author presentation, get in touch.

Life is Life in the Classroom
I’d be delighted to visit your class or media center to talk about Life is Life. But you can introduce the story to kids on your own, too. Here are some ways to use the story to support your curriculum:
• Read Life is Life, either as a class or as homework. Then have each child create a miniature 3-D scene to inspire a story of their own.

• If you have a SmartBoard, do a week-long Life is Life unit, reading a chapter together each day. Ask, “Why do you think that happened?” and “What do you predict will happen next?”

• Study the paintings featured in Life is Life. If you can’t take a field trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to see the paintings in person, discuss them in the classroom.

• Read the story, then study the art and life of Vincent Van Gogh.