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School Visit Presentations
For the past 15 years, I've written nonfiction for kids that's a little different from many other professionals in my trade. As I often tell the kids, I get paid for being weird.
THE WONDERS OF WEIRD
Even by looking at a few of my book titles -- Dinosaur Mummies, Albino Animals, Wild Dogs, Tales of the Cryptids, Mysteries of the Mummy Kids -- you can see I don't make that claim lightly. I search for and write about unusual subjects. I write -- and present -- to draw in and entertain the reluctant reader I once was.
As the kids and I walk through my school presentations, we laugh, we wonder, and we dream together. And as they leave the room, they are given the opportunity to touch 3-D artifacts drawn from the pages of my nonfiction books. From wild dog skull replicas to Velociraptor killing claws to Sasquatch foot prints to Inca weaving to fossilized dinosaur poop and beyond, we challenge the idea that writing and reading has to be boring.
Even more importantly, we conclude that it does NOT have to be boring. We rejoice in the fact that it can actually be fun! And I can target my presentation to more specific topics if you prefer -- dinosaurs OR cryptozoology OR mummies OR magazine writing -- the focus is up to you. The fun is my pleasure. Groups of any size, large or small.
FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS
My Wonders of Weird presentations are best for kids from 2nd grade to 6th. But I won't leave K and 1st grades out of the fun.
I Really Did Buy a Baby Chicken
My early reader picture book, I Bought A Baby Chicken gives us the perfect opportunity to learn where book ideas come from in a quick and easy to track format, as I share pictures of my own chickens, then how having pet chickens and a second grader with the chicken pox inspired the fictional book. As they leave carrying fresh clean chicken feathers (or fuzzy craft chicks, when I can get them), they understand they could grow up to be book writers, too. Large or small groups.
Dinosaurs Smell
But a new presentation for younger students is on the way. Lark/Sterling will publish Dinosaur Parade a dinosaur book created just for kindergarteners and 1st graders in the fall of 2008. Once it's in print, I'll offer a new presentation called "Dinosaur Smells," developed by my illustrator Rick Spears for the Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta. Thanks to scented oils and tiny plastic bottles, we'll explore what the prehistoric world might have smelled like to their dinosaur favorites, drawing one more sense into a young reader's world of perception. I think it will be great fun, so keep it in mind after that fall of 2008 release date. Smaller groups, under 40.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
I recently developed three, age appropriate writing workshops for elementary school students that went beautifully in Ellensburg, WA at Mt. Stuart Elementary (thanks kids!). Several teachers helped me fine tune the workshops so they'd be state testing friendly, rather than just Kelly fun friendly. So I'd be happy to teach those 90 minute workshops instead of or in addition to my regular presentations, if your school is interested. Groups of 25 or less, ONLY.
For K-1st: A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to School
For 2nd-4th: Making Imaginary Pets (SEEM) Real
For 5th-6th: Weird but True: Writing & Researching a Quiz
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
My fee for up to six presentations a day, or three writing workshops a day is $500 plus travel expenses (airfare and lodging, assuming someone can get me to and from the closest airport). I am told my fee is low for the quality of the experience, but frankly I know how tight school budgets can be. So I refuse to raise my rates, in the hope that more schools will be able to give their kids an interaction with an author. Plus, I love doing school visits. I get more from the kids than they get from me. So it works out.
If we are able to coordinate and book three or more consecutive days with other area elementary school hosts, I may be able to absorb the cost of my flight to make hosting an out of state author a little easier. So do keep that in mind.
WHAT I NEED
I prefer to present from one room so I won't have to move my 3-D touchables too often and cut into the time the kids and I have to connect. It also helps the kids focus -- fewer erasers and pencils and classroom distractions to compete with. But nearly any room -- library, cafeteria, abandoned classroom will do. And all I need is a table and maybe a bottle of water to get the job done.
Of course, the gym is a workable space too, but I hate it when PE is postponed for an author visit. PE and recess were very often the only things that kept me from climbing the elementary school walls when I was an antsy little student, a million years ago. So I always hope that's a last resort. : )
BOOKS SALES AND SIGNING
I will sign books if a school decides to presell them, but it's not a condition of my visit. I know for every kid that can afford to buy a book there may be 10 who cannot. I avoid making any kid feel bad, whenever possible, so books sales are never required. And paper scraps can be signed just as enthusiastically as book pages, any day.
MY CALENDAR
My schedule is extremely busy in February, March and April for some reason. But if you're flexible, I can usually work you in. If I can't in one school year, there is always the next one. I'm happy to book far in advance.
I am in this business for the same reason you are -- because I respect and honestly like young readers. That means patience and humor are my middle names. That means fun is as important to me as learning.
I hope you'll consider me, as an author visitor resource. And I thank you for that consideration.
Best wishes,
Kelly
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