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D I R E C T O R Y O F A U T H O R S & I L L U S T R A T O R S
Marsha Diane Arnold
A sought-after speaker and award-winning author, Marsha Diane Arnold has presented to over 80,000 students in 25 states and overseas. She's authored eleven children's books ranging from the soulful Ridgway award winner, Heart of a Tiger, to the Smithsonian Notable, The Pumpkin Runner, based on a true event, to the uproarious, starred review, Roar of a Snore. Her writing career began as an award-winning columnist, writing the family-oriented "homegrown treasures".
Marsha is available for school assemblies, writing "funshops", family evenings, educator in-services, and conference keynotes. Her multi-media presentations are tailored to specific ages and, if wished, specific topics. Through storytelling, audience interaction, and Keynote slides, she demonstrates the writing process from idea to finished product, highlights the importance of revision, and emphasizes the power of perseverance. Marsha's engaging, informational, and inspirational presentation leaves her audience wanting to read, write, and, like Prancing, Dancing Lily, follow their own unique paths.
Tom Birdseye
Award-winning author of 18 books, including novels, picture books, and non-fiction, Tom also has ten years of classroom teaching experience, and has given over 3,000 presentations worldwide. He knows kids and how to get the most reluctant excited about writing. Entertaining and full of insights, Tom's multi-media, dynamic presentations demystify the writing process — from initial idea to final rewrite — and provide concrete techniques that aspiring authors can use the next time they sit down in front of a blank paper, a blank screen, or a writing assessment. Invite Tom to your school, library, literacy event, teacher training, conference, or as an artist-in-residence. All who hear him will be inspired!
Larry Dane Brimner
Award-winning author of more than 150 titles, both fiction and nonfiction, including We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin, winner of the 2008 Sugarman Award for Biography and the 2008 Jane Addams Book Award; Merry Christmas, Old Armadillo; Country Bear's Good Neighbor; and Birmingham Sunday (his Spring 2010 release for upper elementary through high school). Presenting programs across the globe, Larry has had his younger fans dancing to Dinosaurs Dance in aisles of auditoriums on four continents.
Grace Chang
If you are looking for an author who will inspire your students with the joy of reading and delight them with an exciting fun-filled display of magic, puppetry and Chinese folklore... LOOK NO FURTHER!
Grace Chang has published two enchanting, beautiful books (Jin Jin the Dragon and Jin Jin and Rain Wizard) featuring Jin Jin, a lovable little dragon who in the course of self-discovery always finds himself on the road to adventure.
Grace, former illusionist and ringmaster for an acclaimed Chinese circus, engages students with storytelling and hands-on interaction with Jin Jin the puppet. It provokes their curiosity about other cultures and sparks their imagination. Children, grades 1-5, just adore Jin Jin as he comes to life in their classrooms and are always enthralled by the magic illusions that Grace shares with them.
William Durbin
When William Durbin visits a community, his goal is to get students excited about reading and writing. As a former teacher with experience from middle school through college, he relates well to students of all ages, and he has appeared at over 500 events. Durbin's specialty is well-researched, action-adventure historical fiction. He tailors his assembly presentations to fit the grade level and curriculum, while sharing rare, archival photographs that bring history to life. For writing workshops he immediately engages the students and gets them actively involved.
Durbin has published eleven award-winning novels for young readers with Random House and Scholastic, including The Broken Blade, Wintering, Blackwater Ben, The Darkest Evening, The Winter War, and three books in the My Name Is America series. He's also written biographies of TIger Woods and Arnold Palmer. His novel El Lector was recently optioned for film by Jane Startz Productions.
Ronda Friend
As an author-professional storyteller-musician-singer-motivator, Ronda Friend has provided a memorable, magical moment for over 800 schools. Her humorous, heartwarming programs engage the whole school using character messages, storytelling, music, puppets, sign language and audience participation.
Students, staff and parents relate to R. Friend's series — Down on Friendly Acres — complete with family squabbles, life lessons and unbelievable true cliffhangers. Titles include Time Out at Home (patience), Panic in the PigPen (perseverance) and Woolly Baaad Lies (honesty). Families flip over family nights as the audience teams up to act out P.U. You Stink! In the end everyone realizes — "Families who stink together, stick together!"
Ronda is a keynote speaker and conducts writing/storytelling workshops and inservices. Her heart's desire is for children to fall in love with reading, writing and the fine arts. She inspires children to remember, "Sunshine or rain, always and forever, dare to dance and leap for joy!"
Lisa Funari Willever
Award-winning author, Lisa Funari-Willever's presentations are not just funny and interactive; they are memorable. A former teacher, Lisa's assemblies and workshops hold the attention of students and staff members because she truly loves what she does. She is the author of A Glove of Their Own, 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award winner, Chumpkin, a favorite of First Lady Laura Bush and displayed at the White House, Everybody Moos At Cows, featured on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, and 32 Dandelion Court and Garden State Adventure three-time New Jersey Battle of the Book List selections. Her presentations are inspirational and storytelling abilities are superb (even though she never considers herself a storyteller!). Her titles include chapter books and picture books, as well as Exciting Writing and On Your Mark, Get Set, Teach! New titles include There's A Kid Under My Bed, and Nicky Fifth's Passport to the Garden State.
David Greenberg
David Greenberg presents two different sorts of assemblies:
1/ Poetry Assemblies are based on his superbly-reviewed poetry books (Slugs, Bugs!, Skunks!, Snakes!, Crocs!, Don't Forget Your Etiquette, Enchanted Lions, among others). These assemblies are fun, funny, inspirational. They strongly emphasize the qualities that make writing effective. They reinforce the writing academics imparted in the classroom. Children depart saying "I want to be a writer when I grow up!" All grades.
2/ Civil Rights Assemblies are based on his novel A Tugging String (winner of the 2008 Oregon Spirit Award, finalist for the 2008 Oregon Book Award) which tells the story of Greenberg's dad who was chief lawyer for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (and who helped argue Brown v Board). This deeply moving assembly describes the issues, attitudes, personalities, events associated with King's history-changing Selma-Montgomery Voting Rights March in which Greenberg's dad played a crucial role. It makes the civil rights movement spring to life and shows just how pertinent it is today. Grades 3 & up.
John Steven Gurney
John Steven Gurney has illustrated two of America's best loved chapter book series, The A to Z Mysteries and The Bailey School Kids. He is the author and illustrator of the picture book Dinosaur Train. John's presentation helps students understand the thought process involved in creating an illustration. Every illustration tells a story, but how? John shows that Character Design, Lighting, Color, and Perspective are the elements that make any illustration effective. He uses a PowerPoint presentation to share his illustration development process, which includes concept sketch, visual research, refined sketch, and painting. John's presentation is informative, and often quite funny. He engages the students with fun cartooning demonstrations and closes by drawing a caricature of someone in the room. John adapts his presentation to the age of the audience, K-6. He also offers a variety of cartooning workshops.
Christine Petrell Kallevig
Kids love origami, but they need stories to touch their hearts and feed their minds, stories to peel away layers of resistance and false sophistication, stories to reveal roots of intelligence and creativity. Christine Kallevig is an Ohio novelist and professional storyteller who provides those stories. She's also the "Storigami Lady" who figured out how to illustrate short stories with the progressive steps of simple origami models. Originally intended as a fun and quirky curiosity, Storigami instead evolved into an enticing experience that captivates audiences and sends them hurtling back and forth across an enchanted bridge that connects language with art, a bridge where you definitely want to let your fingers do the walking.
Betsy and Giulio Maestro
Celebrate Nonfiction and American History with this dynamic author-illustrator team! You'll take a lively trip through the creation of a nonfiction picturebook. The Maestros enthusiasm for their work motivates and inspires students to get started on their own nonfiction projects. The Maestros have been visiting schools for more than twenty years and are comfortable and effective with audiences of all ages. Educators call their program "organized, energetic and
Jeff Mondak
Poet and songwriter Jeff Mondak's school programs educate and entertain. Accompanied by musician Tim Frazier or Sergio Wals, Jeff's programs combine discussions of poetry and songwriting with fun performances that always get students laughing and singing. Jeff's poems appear in My Teacher's in Detention, I Hope I Don't Strike Out, Rolling in the Aisles, Peter, Peter, Pizza Eater and more. Jeff's poems also are found in many magazines, including Cricket and Spider. Jeff's songs appear on several CDs and choral songbooks, and have aired on NPR's All Things Considered, the Dr. Demento Show, and many children's music radio programs. Jeff, Tim and Sergio are educators; Jeff and Sergio are professors, and Tim is a retired teacher. Tim has displayed his amazing musicianship in rock bands for years. Jeff co-wrote the songs on Sergio's hilarious CD Michael Closed the Bathroom Door, which features "Pluto's Not a Planet Anymore."
Cyd Moore
Cyd is a favorite at conferences, libraries and schools. She has illustrated over 40 children's books, including the best selling I Love You Stinky Face series and her newest, Willow. You might also see her work on McDonald's Happy Meal boxes, games, and magazines.
This southern belle inspires gasps and giggles, creative thinking, and a love of story and art. Her entertaining multimedia presentations include hilarious storytelling, and sketches and art progressing from childhood to her latest projects. She whips out drawings and encourages making copies for every student. She has the ability to handle a large crowd and engages all ages. High school art students to even the most wiggly 'worms' in kindergarten are spellbound!
Herman Parish
Invite Amelia Bedelia to your school! Author Herman Parish carries on the misadventures of Amelia Bedelia, the literal-minded housekeeper, created by his Aunt Peggy Parish. Herman has added seventeen books to the series, including the N.Y. Times-bestseller Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm. His latest books take a big step back in time, to when Amelia Bedelia was a young girl in Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School and Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine. Of course, she's as literal as ever — only littler!
Laurence Pringle
Winner of several lifetime achievement awards, Laurence Pringle has been honored as one of the very best authors of nonfiction for children. His highly-praised titles — now totaling 107 — include Penguins! Strange and Wonderful, One Room School, Bats! Strange and Wonderful, Naming the Cat, American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Imagine a Dragon.
Creating each of these books is a unique experience, and gives Larry a wealth of wisdom about writing to share with students. He happily gives up to six programs a day, tailored to a wide range of grades. Larry's popular programs, highly recommended by teachers, nurture writing skills and excite interest in reading.
Peter Roop
Light the Writing Lights with Peter Roop, award-winning author and educator. Peter has written 100 fiction and nonfiction books for grades K-8. Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a Reading Rainbow Feature Book. Other titles are: Buttons For General Washington; Buffalo Jump; Sacagawea; Whales and Dolphins; and Let's Dream, Martin Luther King! Peter is published by Scholastic, Atheneum, Lerner, Simon and Schuster, and Hyperion. Peter Roop, Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, has presented to schools in 30 states as well Indonesia, China, and England. Invite Peter Roop, "The Pied Piper of Writing" to your school this year!
Chris Rumble
Author-Illustrator-Guitarist-Singer-Encourager Chris Rumble offers his one-of-a-kind READING PEP RALLY. He uses live music, live cartooning, character education, audience participation and loads of laughter to get your students FIRED UP about reading and their own potential! Playing his guitar, Chris performs sing-alongs with readily recognizable tunes. I'm a Believer becomes I'm a Big Reader. Twist and Shout becomes Read and Shout!, etc. Your students will join right in!
Kids love his highly-illustrated Adventures of Uncle Stinky series (designed for reluctant readers!).
Chris has taken his "ALL-IN-ONE" author event to over 500 schools coast to coast in the last six years. Other programs include Fun and Interactive Writing and Illustrating Workshops, Family Nights, Economical Web-Cam Author Visits, Teacher In-Services and an Author/Illustrator-in-Residence Program.
Chris's PRIMARY MOTIVATION is to ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS, so let's explore the possibilities! We could have a BLAST... and inspire your students at the same time!
Diane Z. Shore
Get ready for an ultra-energetic, interactive, inspirational celebration of literacy that gets even the most reluctant reader to read and the most hesitant student to write!
Funny, fun, and full of life, teacher-turned-author, Diane Z. Shore travels across the US with her widely popular school presentations.
Educators describe Diane's energetic author visits as "awe-inspiring" and "right on target with all grades" as she wows the audience and sparks their creativity with her non-fiction Highlights articles, poetry, riddles, readers' theater, hidden pictures, guessing games, and more. She shares rough drafts and writing strategies — "vivid verbs and colorful words, don't use said, use razzed instead" — through her well-loved A/R books which include, Bus-A-Saurus Bop, Look Both Ways (a hoot when read in German!), her historical This Is the Dream, and This Is the Feast, plus her best-selling I Can Read!™, How to Drive Your Sister Crazy. They'll think they're just having fun!
Alan St. Jean
Alan St. Jean, author of the award winning Aidan of Oren medieval trilogy and Daydreams Collection picture book series, delivers a bold and exciting multi-media presentation showing how a book comes to life. Key steps in the process such as the concept, the write, the re-write, story boarding, sketching, painting and printing are covered in a way that kids can easily understand. Stories and poetry are told demonstrating how critical components of conflict, resolution and character development are vital to storytelling. The presentations are great fun (warning, expect LOTS of laughter), but are also highly educational... an experience your kids and your staff will never forget.
Contact Authors and Illustrators Who Visit Schools