The
Visit: My presentation lasts between 20-30 for kindergartners
and first graders and 30-45 minutes for second through
sixth graders. During my power point presentation, I discuss
my early beginnings, how I began writing for children,
the variety of projects I have written, introduce my family
and workspace, read passages from my work and take students
through the step by step process of creating a children’s book including gathering ideas,
research and revision and briefly discuss the role of the
illustrator. I allow time at the end of each presentation
for Q & A.
I also present with my husband and frequent collaborator,
Illustrator, James Ransome, and I offer writing workshops
for young writers.
Number
of presentations: I prefer to do no more than three
presentations per day.
Before
the Visit: School visits can be wonderful, educationally
rich experiences for children when students are prepared
through familiarizing them with my work and participating
in activities in advance of my visit. Many publishers offer
teaching guides and online resources are available for help
with planning a visit.
During
the Visit: I am happy to continue conversations over
lunch with teachers and students (but no school lunches please).
I am not a picky eater, but I am allergic to fish, almonds
and walnuts.
After
the Visit: I always enjoy receiving letters from my
readers. Because I am very busy writing, I cannot respond
to each letter individually, but I will respond to a classroom
and/or school.
Conferences
and Festivals: I speak to teachers, librarians,
writers, booksellers, college students and other adult professional
audiences both individually and with my husband, frequent
collaborator and illustrator, James
Ransome. Topics include
the collaboration between Author and Illustrator, the process
of creating a book for children, individual titles and the
role of literature and research in writing.
Skype
Visits: 30-40 minutes Skype visits with classrooms
are available.
Honorarium
and Scheduling: For more information, please
contact me at the e-mail link at the bottom of this page
or complete the
author appearance request
form.
