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Books, Books, Books! Lesléa Newman's enthusiasm for reading and writing is contagious! Using her most recent picture books about animals as examples, she shows students how a book is created from start to finish. Her presentation uses many "show and tells" including early handwritten drafts with plenty of words scratched out (even adults don't always get it right the first time!), artist's sketches, book dummies, press sheets and more. With photographs from her childhood, she shows students where her ideas come from, and how her friends and pets appear in her books. The idea that everyone can be a writer—all you need is a pen, a piece of paper, words and your imagination—is repeated over and over so that by the end of the presentation, children are eager to rush back to their classrooms and write.The message of this interactive presentation is that reading and writing is fun, fun, fun! Audience: grades 1- 5 Length: 45 minutes, including Q&A Books featured: The Best Cat in the World, Cats, Cats, Cats!, Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs!, Where is Bear?
Wan Wan! means Woof Woof! The Story of Hachiko Waits Lesléa Newman’s novel, Hachiko Waits, is based on the true story of the famous Akita who lived in Japan from 1923 until 1935 and spent the last ten years of his life at the Shibuya train station waiting for his master’s return. Lesléa Newman has always been an animal lover, and as soon as she heard Hachiko’s story, she knew she wanted to write about it. In this presentation, she shares how she traveled back in time and across the ocean without leaving home (well, she did spend a lot of time at the library). Using photographs, artifacts and early drafts of the book, Lesléa Newman will discuss how she went about her research, what she discovered along the way, and how she rewrote (and rewrote and rewrote!). Audience: grade 4 and up (makes a great teacher’s inservice) Length: 45 minutes (including Q&A) Book featured: Hachiko Waits It Takes a Village To Raise a Children's Book Author Lesléa Newman loves to quote her favorite statistic: "One-hundred percent of all authors had, at one time in their lives, never published a book." How does one move from writer to author? With a little, and sometimes a lot of help from her friends, including teachers, editors, mentors, colleagues and other writers. In this presentation, Lesléa Newman shares the journey she has been on since she was eight years old and made the decision to become a writer. As the author of close to fifty books, she has a lot to say about where ideas come from, how to write and rewrite (and rewrite and rewrite) and how to nurture your beginning drafts into a finished manuscripts that become books. She reads excerpts from rejection letters and editorial letters (you may think once a book is accepted your job as a writer is over, but in many cases it is just beginning) and talks about book contracts, how authors get paid, book promotion and publicity, working with agents, editors and art directors, and the importance of writing groups. Plenty of visuals including handwritten drafts, art samples, book dummies, press sheets, contracts, author questionnaires and much much more. Audience: Teenagers and adults Length: 45 minutes to an hour (including Q&A) Featured Books: The Best Cat in the World, Cats, Cats, Cats! Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Remember That Write from the Heart A wonderful writer named Elsa Gidlow once said, “Writers are not special people. Every person is a special kind of writer.” Lesléa Newman firmly believes that everyone has important stories to tell and the ability to tell them. This workshop is for those who want to write but think they have nothing to say, or those who know they have something to say but don’t know how to say it. Using simple writing exercises, participants will learn how to use memory, observation skills and imagination to write stories that express the emotional truths of their lives. No previous writing experience necessary. Each participant should bring something to write with, something to write on, and an open heart and mind. Audience: Teenagers and adults Length: 1 to 3 hours, weekend and week-long workshops also available What others have to say: "Our class loved your visit! You kept my first graders engaged with your stories and photographs, drawing them into the writing process (and the mind of you, the writer) in a way in which they could relate. There was a nice correlation between your published work, with which they had some familiarity, and you as presenter--in person you are as lively and funny as in your books! Cats, Cats, Cats! and Pigs, Pigs, Pigs! have been a big hit in our classroom. I am thrilled to add your books to my teaching repertoire! Thank you so much for sharing your craft and your life with our children!" “Lesléa Newman is a terrific advocate for children and reading. She's direct, funny, full of information, and a wonderful writer, too. If I had a school, I'd invite her. And make her stay for dinner as well!” “We had the honor of having Lesléa Newman facilitate our retreat in July 2003. Some of the comments we received on our evaluations included: ‘Exceeded my expectations.’ ‘Absolutely great—I’m amazed at how much writing I accomplished.’ I would highly recommend Lesléa to any group who wants to grow in their creativity. Because she is equally gifted at facilitating hands-on workshops or giving talks, she would enrich any type of workshop or conference on children’s books and writing for children.” “In the course of my three years at Lee College, University of Judaism, we have had many invited speakers in the Department of English and Literature. But in my experience, few have had the kind of creative impact on our students that you did in your reading in March. Your warm and engaging presentation encouraged them to see their own life experience as a well of resources upon which to draw in their work, perhaps the finest gift a poet can share with young people.” "As Children's Department Manager at Beyond Words Bookshop in Northampton, MA, I had the pleasure of working with Lesléa Newman on two different occasions. Both were events at the bookstore designed to promote Lesléa's wonderful children's books. These events were attended by families of all ages. Lesléa's graciousness and light-hearted banter kept all entertained. Her work is delightful and accessible to children. The lyrical quality of the prose engages even the most finicky of listeners. Lesléa will inspire any persons fortunate enough to work with her." For more information: To inquire about bringing Lesléa Newman to your area, and/or to receive a complete information packet via hard mail, contact Lesléa Newman. For more information on Lesléa Newman’s books and presentations, visit her website. |
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