I enjoy reading my books to students, talking about writing and creating books, and answering their questions! I prefer to visit schools within a one-hour drive of the Seattle/Eastside area. I greatly appreciate book sales and am happy to autograph books.
I offer up to 4 presentations for a full-day visit, or I can visit for a half-day or even do a single presentation. I don’t limit the number of students that can attend a single presentation (one classroom or many classes in a gym or auditorium). Please email me with questions about programs and rates, or to discuss scheduling.
I can also visit with you and your students virtually, via Skype, Zoom, etc. Some interaction with the students is lost (unless the audience size is small), but the main content and message are the same. As I read one of my books I share my screen so students can follow along with each page; the talk that follows also uses a slide deck so the students remain engaged with the program. Each virtual visit can end with a Q&A, depending on time, interest, and age of your students. Multiple classrooms of students can attend any given virtual presentation; my rates are per presentation, not per student.
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read + The Story of a Book (Grades K-2, 30-60 min.)
I’ll read my book The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read and then talk about reading and favorite books, where the idea for the book came from and how it changed during the writing and revision process, how the words got put together with the illustrations and published as a book, and how each of us can write and share stories from our own lives—the stories that matter most to us.
Shawn Loves Sharks + The Story of a Book (Grades K-5, 30-60 min.)
I’ll read my book Shawn Loves Sharks (a Washington State Children’s Choice Award nominee) and then talk about where the idea for the book came from and how it changed during the writing and revision process, how the words got put together with the illustrations and published as a book, and how each of us can write and share stories from our own lives—the stories that matter most to us.
The Crane Girl + Japanese Folktales and Personal Haiku (Grades 3-8, 45-60 min.)
After a short overview of Japanese folktales, I’ll read and briefly discuss my book The Crane Girl, which retells a popular folktale and includes the characters’ unspoken thoughts in haiku form. Then I’ll talk about haiku as poetry: the rules for writing haiku in Japanese, how and why some of those rules are different if you’re writing in English, and how you can write your own personal haiku that say a lot with very few words.
Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet (Grades 3-8, 45-60 min.)
I’ll read my nonfiction STEM book Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet and then talk a bit about recent exoplanet discoveries—and how they relate to famous Star Trek and Star Wars planets. I finish with Q&A with the students, who can ask anything about exoplanets, space exploration, and if they think aliens exist and what they might look like.
I currently present to single or multiple classrooms and to library or community events.
If you’re interested in a different approach or in filling a specific curriculum need, I’m happy to discuss changing my presentation to fit your needs.