SCHOOL & LIBRARY VISITS
Talking to young readers and writers is one of my favorite parts of being an author. It's inspiring and fun! My goal is to make my school and library visits as inspiring and fun for students and teachers as they are for me. I offer several types of presentations:
1. Reading and Q & A
In this simplest type of presentation, I read an excerpt from Elvis & Olive, followed by a Q & A and optional book signing. This format works best for students who have read Elvis & Olive (or at least part of it) before my visit. Teachers & librarians qualify for a 40% discount on books—follow these instructions for ordering books. Presentation length: 45 – 60 minutes, but I can adapt to fit your schedule. Group size: Up to 60 students.
Schedule a reading event
2. Writing Craft Talk + Exercise
Are you working on a specific aspect of writing with your students? I can support this with an engaging craft talk. Good topics include: revision, description & detail, developing memorable characters, writing great dialogue, and generating story ideas. The talk itself is interactive, and I engage kids further with a fun writing exercise we complete as a group. Length: Typically 60 minutes. Group size: Up to 60 students.
Schedule a craft talk
3. One- Two- and Three-Day Workshops
A workshop gives kids a chance to explore their creativity and develop writing skills. Choose one of my existing workshop ideas, or tell me what you're looking for and I'll design something special just for you.
Schedule a workshop
Workshops include:
The Little Library Project
Everyone is an author! In this 2- or 3-day workshop, I guide kids through the writing, illustrating and building of miniature books, which will become a part of a tiny in-class “library.” Once the library is done, kids have fun “checking out” each other's books.
Over time, students can add new books to the library. This project celebrates your students' unique creative voices, and emphasizes that everyone is an artist and writer. Group size: Up to 60 students.
Sidewalk Poem
Art is everywhere, for everyone! On day 1 of this 2-day workshop, we'll read poetry and create some poems of our own, both individually and as a group. This is preparation for day 2, when we'll head outside armed with sidewalk chalk and our creativity.
Everyone gets their own sidewalk square to compose a poem. Students can work solo or join forces with neighboring poets to create group poems and pictures. The project not only celebrates every student as a gifted artist, but gifts the neighborhood with a “poetry installation.” Group size: Up to 30 students.
Workshop length: It's best to have at least 2 days for a workshop, with 1 – 2 hours per day. That way, there's plenty of time to both teach and create. I can work with you to decide on the workshop length that best suits your students, schedule and budget.
Custom Presentations
Can't find anything here that matches what you need? I'm flexible, and can customize a presentation that's a perfect fit for your students, curriculum and schedule.
Cost
My presentation and workshop fees are based on the type and length of visit you'd like. Also, the distance of your school or library from St. Paul, Minnesota, where I live. For specific rates, please write to me.
Bookstores
I'm happy to read and sign books at your bookstore, as long as it's not too far from the Twin Cities. There's no charge for bookstore visits, but there are a couple of things you can do to help make the event a success: Have plenty of copies of my books in stock, and promote the event beforehand with flyers or emails.
Questions? Want to set up an event? Send me an email.