I am available to book an in-person visit at your school! I can also do a Zoom visit, if you prefer.
In a one-hour presentation I talk about how I come up with ideas for stories, how I develop, edit and revise my ideas, how I invent characters and make them come alive on the printed page. I show slides with examples of how an author and illustrator works, I read one of my books, sing a song to the younger students about the pleasures of writing and being creative, do a drawing demonstration, and answer questions.
Types of presentations
1. For the youngest students I can share “My Truck is Stuck”, “You are Not My Friend, but I Miss You”, “Chugga Chugga Choo Choo”, “Hello Hello”, “The Big Slide” and “Library Mouse”. For this group I try to keep it to 45 minutes, and there is less information about process, and more songs and reading with participation. But it’s still educational!
2. For first and second grade I have a longer presentation about my Library Mouse books, and how one little idea turned into a series. This is my most popular presentation, and it is meant to help students see themselves as authors, and to understand that while writing is a process that takes some time and effort to get right, it can be a lot of fun!
3. My latest presentation for elementary students is all about my book, “Newton and Curie, Science Squirrels”. This picture book presents lots of basic physics principles, related to the way common playground equipment works. Two young and intelligent squirrels set out to build their own playground, and learn a lot of science in the process! In this presentation, I share the ways I developed my characters, I read the story, and demonstrate some basic scientific principles as we try out our own slide, swing, seesaw and pulley.
4. For third and fourth grades I share my book, “Rhino in the House”, which is the inspiring true story of Anna Merz, who started a rhino sanctuary in Kenya to help endangered animals. Anna’s friendship with a rhino named Samia, helps us to better understand a much misunderstood animal. My presentation has many photos I took while on my research trip to Africa, and I present lots of information about endangered species. I’ve given this presentation to elementary schools, middle schools and adults, and the uplifting story has meaning for all ages.
Cost
An in-person visit is $1500 a day, which includes three hour-long presentations geared toward students at different grade levels. I’m happy to sign books and have lunch with selected students, if desired! If I have to drive more than an hour for the visit, an overnight stay the night before at a local hotel/motel should be figured in to the cost.
A single Zoom presentation online, up to an hour in length, is $350.
A second or third show to different grades, is $250 for each extra presentation.
An evening school or library presentation is $350, and it includes the most entertaining features of each grade presentation.
If your school has different needs, feel free to contact me to discuss how I can help. Write me at danielkirkbooks@live.com for booking or more information!