Small Group Programs:

            Story Time
               preschool-1st grade, 30-40 minutes

                        Ideal for the preschool/kindergarten classroom or library story hour. This program includes a reading
               of It's Time and related activities, including a retelling of the story using a flannel board (sequencing) and
               related word games. (rhyming words and beginning sounds) We'll talk about what an author does, and briefly
               explore the difference between fiction and nonfiction book, with questions like "Is this story real?" and
               "How do you know?" as well as "Do animals really talk? We will find out what sounds they really make by
               listening to and identify sounds of real farm animal (auditory skills) and end with a song accompanied by the
               guitar. Brief period for questions.

            You Be the Illustrator
                k-3rd grade 45 minutes-1 hour

                         This program is geared to individual class groups. A great introduction to how books are made, from
               ideas to manuscript, to stages of artwork production to the finished product. Includes a reading of All Year
               Long, followed by a hands on craft activity designed to demonstrate how the artwork was created by the
               illustrator.   

            General Author Programs

            Creating Books: What Authors (and Illustrators) Do

               Grades 1 and 2: 45 minutes
               Grades 3 through 6: 60 minutes

                     A general program about what authors do and how books are made.  We will discuss both fiction and
                nonfiction, and talk about where ideas first come from,  what a manuscript looks like, what editors do, as
                well as the steps to a finished book. Includes visuals to engage the children, such as book dummies, revision,
                stages of artwork from first sketches to finished artwork. Includes reading read one of my books (on an
                overhead projector for larger groups) to show the finished product. Program geared to the age of the group.

            The Fun of Nonfiction -Grades 3-6

                2nd/3rd- 6th grade: 60 minutes

                          This program is aimed at exciting children about the fun of researching, writing, and reading nonfiction.
                The focus is generally more on my books of high interest topics, such as sports, predators and disasters. I
                begin be comparing my writing process to writing reports for assignments, but quickly turn the discussion to
                some of the cool and fun things I learn in the process. The program includes pictures on an overhead projector,
                and well as hands on items and demonstrations to hold the interest to the children. Program is tailored to the
                age of the audience.

             Programs with Curriculum Connections:

             Sample program: 

             Social Studies: Countries and Cultures ---3rd -6th grade, 1 hour

                            Discussions may include a variety of topics, including comparisons of different geographical location
                and climates, clothing, foods, wildlife, holidays, and languages. Includes pictures on an overhead projector,
                and well as hands on items of interest to the children. May include discussion of research and writing process. 
                Program can be tailored to your curriculum needs, as well as the age of the audience.