INVITE ME TO YOUR SCHOOL OR EVENT
I love sharing my creative process with students from Pre-K to high school (as well as with aspiring adult writers/illustrators)! We can work together to design a workshop or presentation with your school’s needs and interests in mind.
Below are current sessions I offer that can be tailored to different age groups and virtual platforms
PROGRAM
Building a Story with Pictures: How to Illustrate a Picture Book?
In this session, students will learn how I create illustrations for a story. We’ll focus on one of the books I’ve illustrated (school’s choice) and I’ll break down the illustrating process. Each step represents an element I need to create illustrations (examples: inspiration, problem, characters, research, revisions).
Magical Main Characters: How to Create fun & interesting Characters
Who are your favorite characters? Students will learn how to develop their own cast of story characters by creating personality traits. We’ll explore popular characters in literature and discuss what makes them memorable. I’ll share the evolution of my own character designs and identify how revisions strengthened them. This
fun presentation concludes with kids nominating a favorite book character for
your school!
Flip the Story: Change a Classic
For this session the project is going to be based around a classic story.
• Flipping the narrative (eg little red riding hood, but she is the threat not the wolf)
• Changing the setting (the little mermaid, but she lives in a jungle river, not the ocean)
• Changing the character (The princess and the pea, but it’s a duck and lily-pads)
• Changing the emotion or mood. (Could something that is classically dark be made comical, could something light and fluffy be made dark?)
All sessions can accomodate the age of the students So, for older kids or teens will be more detailed and for younger students I will keep things simple and engaging.
AGE GROUP AND SIZE
My presentations are best suited for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. They can be customized depending on the age group. I like small groups because the students tend to get more out of my presentations that way. I enjoy presenting in small spaces (like a library or art classroom). It would be good for the children to sit at tables so they can draw along with me.
PREPERATION
My visits are most worthwhile when the children are familiar with my work and have read my books beforehand. Sometimes teachers will do a lesson based on one of my books, which can be tied in nicely with my visit. Also, it’s helpful if the person who coordinates my visit is there that day to show me around and answer any questions I might have.
BOOK SALES AND SIGNINGS
Students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to order personalized, signed books by me and I will provide the order forms. On a designated due date, simply let me know which books have been ordered and to whom the books should be personalized. I will bring the books with me on the day of my visit.
2024-2025 SPEAKING FEES
IN-PERSON ILLUSTRATOR VISIT
Full day (3-4 sessions): $1,100
Half-day (2 sessions): $650
Travel expenses are additional **SEE BELOW
VIRTUAL ILLUSTRATOR VISIT
30-45 min Read-Aloud and Q&A: $200
I love to share my passion for reading and illustrating with students through my educational and entertaining sessions.
For in-person visits
I may need a laptop, projector, microphone, whiteboard and marker.
Consider collaborating with another local school(s) to split travel expense. I can present at two or three schools in one day if they are not too spread apart.
I am included in the ARTIST ROSTER of Mississippi Arts Commission. Local non-profit agencies such as arts councils, museums, schools and libraries are eligible to apply for mini-grants from the Commission to sponsor performances by me. So, if you would like to schedule me for your school or other event, visit the Mississippi Arts Commission website for mini-grant information.
TRAVEL EXPENSES
Travel expenses are not included in the daily rate and can be discussed when contacted. The host organization is responsible for booking all hotel and meal accommodations, and airline and local transportation. I fly out of Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN). Please take into consideration travel time to and from your event site when planning my speaking schedule.
