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Contact
If you are interested in having me speak at your school please send an email with as much information as possible, including tentative dates and your contact information. The further in advance, the better! See below to learn more about my presentation, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Why Host a School Visit? School visits are a great way for children to realize that authors and illustrators are regular people, just like themselves. Often this sparks the student’s own potential as a creative person. A visit is also an opportunity to make connections between books and curriculum, such as language arts and history. With so much competition for a child’s attention today– television, video games, game boys– an author/illustrator visit reinforces the value of literacy. Click here for a Q & A of my top-10 favorite school visit questions. Program Making a Picture Book, From Start to Finish I love speaking to children about the creative process, and encourage students to be life-long learners. I gear my presentation to the age and interest of the audience, and am happy to tailor my talk to meet specific class needs. First, I introduce myself and read my current book, then share with the students what my own interests were as a young person. I describe the different stages of creating a picture book– from the beginning of an idea, through sketches and drawings and rough drafts of the story, to revisions and making the final artwork. I bring sketchbooks, art materials and objects that inspire my stories. The students learn about tips they can use in their own writing and illustration projects, including the value of their everyday lives as a source of ideas. Curiosity and questions are welcome! My presentation complements curriculum covering the story writing process and the study of past and present history. I send handouts before the visit for teachers to use as an introduction or in follow-up activities. Details • My program is ideal for grades K-6. • Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes, and I can offer up to 3 presentations during the school day. • I prefer a classroom setting. Teachers are welcome to combine two classes at a time, up to sixty students per group. • Please have at least one teacher remain present in classroom during my presentation (I love it when teachers join in the conversation, too, as it reinforces the student’s interest). • I will send a confirmation letter and handouts for classroom use before the day of my visit. • Payment is requested the day of the visit. • If you are planning a book sale, time for signing books can be scheduled during the day or after school. Please have a volunteer available to handle the books and collect payment. Click here for ideas on how to use my books in the classroom. Book Sales I don't require that a school have a book sale during my visit, but do encourage it. Hosting a book signing on the day of an author/illustrator visit reinforces the message that books are important, and leaves a child with a lasting memory of the day. Local bookstores are usually willing to help organize a sale at your school, and may even provide a discount. If your school would like to handle the sale itself, publishers offer a deep discount for books sold at an author's visit. Books sold at cover price can help fund future PTA events, or they can be sold at a discount for a substantial savings to families wishing to purchase a book. Books ordered through the publisher are on consignment, which means that any unsold books can be returned. It is best to order books at least 6-8 weeks before the visit. One way to gauge how many copies you will need is to send home an order form in advance. It is also a good idea to order a few extras for that day. Ordering information for author/illustrator event book sales: Sam Bennett’s New Shoes, Carolrhoda Books, 2006 ISBN# 1575058227 Contact: Cully Beisell, Lerner Books/customer service, 1-800-328-4929, ext.629. When I Was Built, Henry Holt and Company, 2001 ISBN# 0805065326 Contact: Jeffrey Price, Author Event Order Rep. for Henry Holt, VHPS Customer Service, 1-800-221-7945, ext.5445. Fees I offer a half-day fee (two presentations) and a full-day fee (three presentations) for visits within Connecticut. Please inquire for out of state (limited availability, but possible!). Please send me an email with as much information as possible (dates, age group of students, any specific needs, etc.) for current fee information.
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All artwork on this website ©2010 Jennifer Thermes