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TITLES
- Storm Mountain (Holiday House 2010)
- A Tough Nut to Crack (Holiday House 2006)
- Oh Yeah! (Holiday House 2003)
- Attack of the Mutant Underwear (Holiday House 2003)
- Look Out Jack! The Giant is Back! (Holiday House 2001)
- The Eye of the Stone (Holiday House 2000)
- Under Our Skin: Kids Talk About Race (Holiday House 1997)
- What I Believe: Kids Talk About Faith (Holiday House 1996)
- Tarantula Shoes (Holiday House 1995)
- She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain (Holiday House 1994)
- A Regular Flood of Mishap (Holiday House 1994)
- Just Call Me Stupid (Holiday House 1993)
- A Kids' Guide to Building Forts (Roberts Rinehart 1993)
- Soap! Soap! Don't Forget the Soap! (Holiday House 1993)
- Waiting for Baby (Holiday House 1991)
- A Song of Stars (Holiday House 1990)
- Tucker (Holiday House 1990)
- Airmail to the Moon (Holiday House 1988)
- I'm Going to Be Famous (Holiday House 1986)
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Coming Soon:
- Return of the Mutant Underwear
AWARDS
- Oregon Library Association Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award in recognition of a significant contribution to the children of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
- A Tough Nut to Crack — Evelyn Thurman Kentucky Young Readers Award finalist, Oregon Book Award nominee
- Attack of the Mutant Underwear — Children's Choice Award finalist in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana
- Look Out Jack! The Giant is Back! — 2001 Recommended Picture Book by Parents Choice Foundation, Storytelling World 2002 Award, Oppenheim Best Book Award — Gold, Indiana 2004 Hoosier Book Award Finalist, Oregon Reading Association Patricia Callagher 2004 Picture Book Award Winner
- Under Our Skin: Kids Talk About Race — National Council on Social Studies Notable Trade Book for 1998
- Tarantula Shoes — Children's Choice Award finalist in Utah, Indiana, Washington, and Florida. Troll Book Club selection
- A Regular Flood of Mishap — International Reading Association/Children's Book Council Children's Choice Winner, 1994. Children's Choice Award finalist in Kentucky, Utah, Nevada, and Indiana. Book-of-the-Month Club selection
- Just Call Me Stupid — Children's Choice Award finalist in New Mexico, Maine, Missouri, Iowa, Utah, Florida, Indiana, and Connecticut. Troll Book Club selection
- Soap! Soap! Don't Forget the Soap! — Children's Choice Award winner in Missouri, Nebraska, Washington, and Maryland. Finalist in North Carolina
- A Song of Stars — Children's Book Council 1990 selection for "Cultural Diversity." Notable 1990 Children's Trade Book — Social Studies
- Tucker — "The Best of 1990", Society of School Librarians International. Children's Choice Award finalist in Oklahoma
- Airmail to the Moon — International Reading Association/Children's Book Council Children's Choice Winner, 1989. Children's Choice Award finalist in Missouri, Nevada, Georgia, Washington, Nebraska. Produced by Looking Glass Theater, RI
- I'm Going to Be Famous — Children's Choice finalist in Tennessee, Florida, and Indiana. Published in the U.K., New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Trumpet Book Club selection
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GRADES
K-12, also adult audiences
LENGTH OF PROGRAMS
Generally 45-60 minutes, but Tom is happy to tailor length to meet specific needs.
AUDIENCE SIZE
Tom has spoken to audiences ranging from 10 to over 1,800, and enjoyed them all.
PROGRAMS
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During Tom's presentations he focuses on the writing process, beginning with humorous stories of how he got this or that idea, then worked it into a scene, or chapter, or book. He discusses the importance of character development, and the choice of setting and its impact on the story. There is lots of emphasis on rewriting, too, complete with drafts from various phases. He concludes with questions and a reading. His goal with all of the above is to be entertaining and fun, but more importantly to help demystify the writing process as much as possible, and give the kids concrete ideas on how they can approach it the next time they sit down in front of blank paper, or a blank screen, or a writing assessment. Of course he is also promoting reading, and the link between reading and writing.
In terms of how a typical day in a school or library is organized, Tom likes to communicate closely with the coordinator to set up a schedule and content focus that works for the staff and kids, and meets learning objectives. Often, particularly in schools, this simply turns out to be four large group presentations of about 45-60 minutes each, kids divided by age, and autographing. There is an alternate approach to consider, however, that he's finding very valuable: Begin with 2 large group assemblies, (ie: 1 primary, 1 intermediate, 45-50 minutes each), then follow up with small group Q&A sessions (length of each determined by the number of students participating, but totaling no more than two hours). This way the kids hear his take on the writing process in the large group sessions, then go back to the classroom and discuss it, and with the teacher's help come up with questions that reflect exactly where they are in the writing process themselves, or to help them prepare for an upcoming writing assessment. So when they return for the small group sessions it's more interactive and he can tailor what he talks about specifically to meet their needs. The feedback he's gotten on this approach from kids, teachers, and principals has been very positive, and it doubles their time with him.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
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Writing Workshops: Go deeper into the writing process with sessions that explore the craft of writing, and provide specific tools to carry into that next writing project.
Family Literacy Events: A great way to get the entire family excited about books and writing. Fun for all, from the two-year-old sibling to grandma!
Teacher In-services: Strategies for those in the trenches. Tom's ten years of classroom experience (5th grade, kindergarten, and ESL), and extensive background coaching aspiring writers has given him much to share.
Conferences: Tom is a veteran conference speaker. His mix of humor and insight will inspire attendees.
Writer-in-Residence: Available for multi-day intensives. If you really want to take writers to the next level, this is great row to hoe.
A WORD FROM TOM BIRDSEYE
"I admit it, I'm a bit sneaky when it comes to my presentations. I very intentionally aim for the funny bone and get them laughing — especially the reluctant ones, like I was as a kid. Then, when their guard is down, I slip in a lot of teaching: Where to look for ideas; how to develop characters, setting, plot, and voice; and the absolute importance of rewriting. (Read: perseverance.) 'You should be a comedian!' they tell me as they exit. But later I hear from teachers about the great writing session they had with their kids after the assembly. I smile and think, 'Gotcha!'"
FEES
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In an attempt to help relieve a bit of stress in busy educators' lives, I'm switching to a flat fee system (includes airfare, lodging, meals, rental car/shuttle, you name it), and NO EXTRA WORK for the event coordinator. I will take care of the arrangements. All you have to do is tell me when and where to show up, and have a space ready for me to present in. Let the literary fun begin!
(Note: The more days booked in one area — within an hour's drive — the better the rate for all. Four presentations per day.)
- 1 day: $1,490
- 2 days: $1,390/day
- 3 days: $1,290/day
- 4 days: $1,190/day
- 5+ days: $1,090/day
Virtual Visits via Skype: $250 per 45-minute session. (Includes test chat beforehand to make sure all of the technology is working properly.)
SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- A large screen that is situated so all can see.
- Table or cart and power supply for digital projector and computer.
- Table at the front of the room for props.
- Microphone for large rooms.
- Water. Gotta keep the whistle wet!
AUTOGRAPHING INFORMATION
I love personalizing books, and will sign every single one requested. This can be done between presentations, during lunch, after school, or in my hotel room, if necessary.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TOM BIRDSEYE
Tom Birdseye
511 NW 12th St.
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Telephone: 541-602-5755
Email: tom@tombirdseye.com
Website: www.tombirdseye.com
