When I visit your school, I will reinforce everything you're teaching, especially about practice, mistakes and revisions. Your kids will remember it, because they will see I was like them, and we will have fun. I have visited over 200 schools since 1998, and can speak respectfully and effectively with all ages of children.

What I Do

• Grades K-12
• Groups of 5-500
• Programs tailored to each grade level
• Fast, lively, humorous, and not boring
• I speak with the students, rather than at them
• 60-80 fascinating pictures, including childhood drawings, photos showing where I got my ideas, preliminary sketches, storyboards, rough drafts, and editors' corrections
• I show kids how they are already authors and illustrators like me
• Teaches practice, writing what you care about, planning, research, making mistakes, working with an editor (i.e. teacher), and step-by-step creating an illustration
• If you wish, I can focus on writing and illustrating non-fiction, or on wetlands ecology, from my book Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story

Scheduling

• Date should be confirmed at least 3 months in advance (though I might be available at short notice)
• 40-60 minutes per presentation, adaptable to your schedule
• 20 minutes of read-aloud and informal discussion about writing and drawing for kindergarten and pre-K classes not grouped with older classes
• Up to 4 presentations per day

What I Need From You

• Table or cart for my laptop and projector (or I can use your AV equipment, if you prefer)
• Two outlets or a power strip and extension cords necessary to safely reach the cart
• Room that can be darkened enough to show slides
• Screen or white wall on which to project the slides
• Microphone, if the assemblies are large or the room is noisy
• Sale of my books is typical, but not required. The school must organize the sale, but I provide help and order forms, and, of course, autographed books at an educational discount!

Honorarium

• $1000 per day, including up to 4 presentations
• $1250 beyond 80 miles of Hoboken, NJ
• All expenses included, except airfare, if necessary

Questions and Invitations

To invite me to your school or ask me about my author visits, click here for my contact form.