School and Library Visit Information

As a former early childhood teacher, my intention is for every visit to be:
* educational 
* aligned with age-specific curriculum, school, and/or classroom or library goals
* fun
* memorable
Each program below can be engineered for ages K-8. Each visit includes Q&A, story reading (if appropriate), and book signing.  Contact me to discuss fees, timing and/or program needs.
*  The Story Behind the Story (a behind-the-scenes look at how A Warm Winter Tail was born)
    - where did the idea come from?
    - writing stages (early drafts/sloppy copies, revisions, critiques, final draft)
    - what happens at a publishing house and how author, illustrator, and editor work
together 
    - students perform A Warm Winter Tail as a play
* Oh, Baby. It's Cold Outside: Animal Adapations to Winter (From the itty-bitty Monarch butterfly to the big old Black Bear, every animal living in a cold climate has amazing strategies for staying warm)
    - what's the difference between instinct and learned behavior? 
    - what are the 3 main strategies animals use to adapt and survive?
    - students perform A Warm Winter Tail as a play  
*  Making the Magic 
    - idea generation tips and tricks
    - how to turn an idea into a story
    - plot vs theme: what's the difference?
    - dialogue: did he just say that? 
    - elements of memorable writing (5 senses, universal themes, rich language)
*  Let's Be Funny
    -  adding humor to writing
    -  what makes a story funny - or not
    -  authors and illustrators who make us laugh and how they do it
*  Taking It To The Next Level
    -  self-editing (oh, the pain of it)
    -  partner critiquing (how to's and how to not's)
    -  what to let go and what to keep and how to know