Student Programs
One of my favorite parts of writing children's books is visiting schools, libraries, and bookstores in-person or virtually. It's always exciting to see the children's faces light up when they meet a 'live' author and in turn it gives me such a lift to know that I might be contributing to the children's love of reading and writing.
I’ve been told I have a talent for connecting with kids of all ages – whether I’m speaking with younger children and keeping their attention and focus, or talking with older kids and making it informative and entertaining (with some humor and occasional 'attitude' thrown in for good measure...!)
My programs are very interactive and I encourage the children to participate. Depending on the program, the younger students will have lots of fun guessing jellybean riddles from my book, The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, or they'll learn a variety of ways to handle their emotions - with the help of lively puppets - based on my books in the Everyone Feels series.
Older students will enhance their own writing with my Creative Concepts writing program, or they can learn how I research and write non-fiction based on my new series of graphic Healthy You nutrition books.
MY LIFE AS AN AUTHOR - Grades K-6
Assembly program or for smaller groups. With lots of story character props like crazy hats, a grandmothers quilted blanket, and a basketball from a student-teacher basketball game, I talk about my life as an author, how I get my story ideas, the people that work together to make a book, as well as rejections, persistence, and more.
---- This program is about 45 minutes.
CREATIVE CONCEPTS - What's YOUR Story? Grades 3-6
With idea-generating exercises and the power of their imaginations, the students get very involved creating and writing their own stories. We talk about the beginning, middle, turning point, and end of stories, as well as vocabulary choices, description, dialogue, show-don't-tell, and more. Includes story idea sheets, writing tips, and young author resources to learn more about the writing and publishing process.
--- This program is about 1 hour
New! CREATIVE CONCEPTS - What's YOUR Story? Grades 1-2
With engaging activities and simple models from my own stories, students will develop and enhance skills to create and write their own personal nonfiction narratives or imaginative fiction stories.
--- This program is about 1 hour
HEALTHY BODY HEALTHY MIND - Grades 2-6
This program combines information on writing nonfiction and the research of my healthy food graphic chapter books. The children will see my drafts and revisions, learn why I chose certain vocabulary and topics, and discover my process of conveying the information in an orderly sequence. The students will also have fun with my 'Fact or Fiction Food Guessing Game'.
--This program is about 1 hour.
LAUGH, CRY, SMILE ... TRY - Grades PreK - 2
Based on my books, Everyone Feels Scared Sometimes and Everyone Feels Sad Sometimes (and two other books in the series about feeling happy and angry), young children will learn a variety of productive ways to express their feelings. With amusing puppets, lively reading, and animated exercises, the children will also learn empathy for other people's feelings. This presentation has been praised by educators for tying into their bullying prevention programs.
----This program is about 45 minutes
STORY FUN - Grades PreK -2
Assembly program or for smaller groups. The children help me 'read' my stories and have lots of fun acting out with bear puppets and guessing jelly bean rhymes (and sometimes they come up with their own rhymes!) There is a lot of interaction and in-place movement.
----This program is about 45 minutes.
SOME DETAILS......
*** NUMBER OF PRESENTATIONS: Up to 4 presentations, plus optional book-signing session, for a full day visit. Local half-day and single session visits can also be arranged.
*** NUMBER OF STUDENTS: I can do assembly-style presentations as well as full grades, combinations of grades and single classrooms of students.
CAMP PROGRAMS
Fun in the Sun Creativity!
My camp presentations feature a variety of imaginative and lively activities, while fostering reading and writing skills in a relaxed, comfortable ‘summer time’ setting. With props like a beach ball and Frisbee, along with lively guessing games and interactive activities, I can assure that your campers will have fun (and learn something at the same time!)
Activities range from book making to book charades. Contact me for details on my different kinds of camp programs.