School Visits

Award-winning author of 24 books and a film for children. Recent titles include Wackiest White House Pets (Parents’ Choice Gold Award) and First Kids (2010 Oppenheim Gold Seal) featuring Malia and Sasha Obama.

Sample Day Visit - 2 presentations & 1 writing workshop
In a lively PowerPoint presentation I explain how I got ideas for individual titles and series, the power of research in opening doors and the importance of rewriting. Grades 3-5 45 minutes to one hour.

Grades K-2 – Read aloud from my books and Q&A. Interact with life-size presidential pet puppets (alligator/raccoon) 30 minutes.
Grades 6 & above – Aspects of screenplay writing and Q&A.

Writing Workshop: Students select and research a favorite presidential pet/First Family beforehand. We begin writing a White House mystery from their pet’s point-of-view. Students are encouraged to mail finished stories to me for comment. Teacher’s guide available online: www.scholastic.com/wackiestguide.

Book signing session included. Also, lunch with teachers or select group of students, if desired. *I adapt my program to work with your curriculum.

Upcoming & Past Author Visit Highlights:
Feb. '11 -John F. Kennedy Presidential Library/Boston
January ‘11 – National First Ladies Library, Canton, Ohio (repeat visit)
March ‘11 – Jimmy Carter Presidential Library/Atlanta, GA.
October ‘10 – Chippewa Valley Book Festival/Eau Claire, WI.
April ‘09 – Co-host Reading Discovery program with Barbara Bush at Bush Presidential Library/College Station, Texas. Mrs. Bush reads Wackiest White House Pets to 11,000 Texas children in 21 schools in 2 hr. video-conference event. (repeat visit)

Book Orders: 40-60% discount through publishers (Scholastic & Random House). Unsold books returned free of charge (except shipping cost).

Fee: Flexible. Travel expenses & overnight lodging when necessary.

To schedule visit: Contact author using e-mail at left.

For more author info: www.scbwi.org, www.amazon.com.