The birds are packed and ready to go! We're booking school visits for 2008. Our main focus is the REVISION PROCESS. The PowerPoint program shows how we create our picture books, trying a number of possibilities before we decide on a final illustration.
Our presentation is for Grades 3-5. We do up to three programs per day for Groups of 75-100. Most school schedules work best with a 30-40 minute program followed by a 10-15 minute question and answer session. The PowerPoint program deals primarily with illustration, but the Q & A session leads to a discussion of writing. If your students are reading the THIRD GRADE SERIES, JOURNEY TO NOWHERE, WING NUT, or ONE-HANDED CATCH, we can adjust the program to talk more about those books.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
For locations within driving distance from Rochester, NY, we bring our own laptop computer and digital projector.
THE SCHOOL PROVIDES:
1.Two microphones
2. Small table for laptop and projector
3. Extension cord with at least two outlets
4. Projection screen
5. A room that can be darkened during the presentation
6. Digital projector when school is beyond driving distance.
THE BOOKS
The presentation shows how we combine traditonal painting and digital art. Our first three books using this technique are THE PRINCESS AND THE PIZZA, SOUPERCHICKEN, and POULTRYGEIST. With our most recent books, CHICKERELLA, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAKS, we tried an entirely new illustration process using sculpted characters and 3-D scenery.
The visit will be more meaningful if your students are familiar with our books. This is important for the novels and chapter books, as the students may want to ask questions about the characters and plot. Even though 4th and 5th graders may not be reading picture books, they'll have more fun if they recognize the illustrations in the PowerPoint program.
If you are school librarian or media specialist responsible for arranging author visits at your school, please e-mail us for more information.
