Sharing poetry with kids and talking to young poets is a delicious way for me to spend a morning or part of an afternoon! Each year, I schedule school visits around my tutoring activities and current writing projects. My school visits are designed to meet the academic needs of each school. Schools may choose among assemblies, classroom visits, or writing workshops. Classes can be combined together. We can meet in the library or auditorium, wherever is best.
My rates for visiting school are extremely reasonable, especially in the Monroe County area of Rochester where I live. Feel free to e-mail me a request to visit your school. Then we can work out the details. I don't mind traveling. So please contact me.
Know the author's work.
I have written Bathroom Vacation and Other Poems, which is out of print now. The revised version of this poetry book (meant for kids in grades 1-6) is Picture Poetry on Parade! It includes over 50 poems and illustrations. I have two books now circulating among publishers looking for a home. One is a fantasy; the other is a self-help book for kids 10-14 years-old.
Know what experience the author has had in the classroom.
I taught over three decades in public school, teaching in grades 2-6. I also tutored students in grades 7-12. I know what kids and schools are like.
Know his or her books.
Read and discuss some of the poems from Picture Poetry on Parade! I would really appreciate it if you purchase one copy of the book through www.booklocker.com. It is an excellent company. I will sign it for you when I come. I will also sign student books or autograph books, but not scraps of paper.
Know what date, time, and group the author agreed to visit.
Okay, that's an obvious one. But it always helps when you confirm visits shortly before the author comes or cancel visits as soon as you know that there's a problem. Last year a librarian canceled a visit and it was for the best of reasons. A water main broke in town and the schools were letting out early. Before she called there was a lot of snow on the ground, and I had started to dread going. We agreed on a new date that I could visit in the near future. During that time the PR person in the district talked Rochester's 13 WHAM News station into filming the visit for Rochester's "Bright Spot." Kids and poet had a great time seeing themselves on the news that evening.
Know if the author needs any special equipment.
If I present in a classroom, I can be loud enough. If I am in a larger room, I may need an audio system. I have a PowerPoint program that I like to use regardless of the size of the group, but for that I need a school PC, laptop, and projector that connects to the laptop. If these aren't available, I need a transparency projector to show some illustrations.
If you would like a writing workshop, the group needs to be 25 children or less. Tables, chairs, paper and pencils are needed. And a sense of humor is needed. It will foster a fun day.
Know how long your author will stay.
All my presentations are about an hour long, but they can be shorter or longer; it depends on what your time limits are. I am sure nobody wants to miss lunch or gym class! How many sessions would you like to have?
Know how much it will cost.
I am rather reasonably priced. That is to say, I am a bargain because I am not a household name, but I am striving to change that. I love Jennifer Brown's review for BookPleasures.com. She writes about my name recognition increasing. Hers is listed first at "Three Book Reviews."