TITLES
Picture Books
- There's a Kid Under My Bed, Franklin Mason Press, 2008
- A Glove of Their Own, Franklin Mason Press, 2008
- You Can't Walk a Fish, Franklin Mason Press, 2003
- Where Do Snowmen Go, Franklin Mason Press, 2002
- Everybody Moos at Cows, Franklin Mason Press, 2001
- Chumpkin, Franklin Mason Press, 2001
- The Easter Chicken, Franklin Mason Press, 2001
- Maximilian the Great, Franklin Mason Press, 2000
- Miracle on Theodore's Street, Angel Publications, 1998
- The Culprit Was a Fly, Angel Publications, 1998
Chapter Books
- Nicky Fifth's New Jersey, Franklin Mason Press, Fall 2011
- Nicky Fifth at the Jersey Shore, Franklin Mason Press, Spring 2011
- Nicky Fifth's Passport to the Garden State, Franklin Mason Press, 2009
- Nicky Fifth for Hire, Franklin Mason Press, 2007
- Nicky Fifth's Garden State Adventure, Franklin Mason Press, 2004
- Nicky Fifth on 32 Dandelion Court, Franklin Mason Press, 2003
Reference Books
- Exciting Writing: A Handbook for Kids, Franklin Mason Press, 2004
- On Your Mark, Get Set, Teach! The Must Have Guide for New Teachers, Franklin Mason Press, 2002
AWARDS
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- A Glove of Their Own won the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for Children's Picture Book.
- A Glove of Their Own finalist for Foreword Magazine's 2009 Book of the Year Award.
- There's A Kid Under My Bed finalist for 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award, Foreword Magazine's 2009 Book of the Year Award and Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention.
- Nicky Fifth on 32 Dandelion Court named to the 2009-2010 and 2007-2008 New Jersey Battle of the Book List for Grades 3-4.
- The hilarious Garden State Adventure named to the 2005-2006 New Jersey Battle of the Book List for Grades 3 and 4.
- Chumpkin selected as one of Laura Bush's favorite children's books and displayed at the White House during the 2003 Holiday Season. Also a Fall Favorite by Learning Magazine.
- Everybody Moos at Cows featured on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, 2002.
GRADES
- K-8: Assemblies
- 3-8: Writing workshops
- Parent/Teacher Workshops
LENGTH OF VISIT
Assembly length varies from:
- 15-20 minutes for Pre-K and Special Education
- 20-30 minutes for Kindergarten
- 45-60 minutes for Grades 1-8
Writing Workshops are generally held in a classroom, with 1-2 classes, and run from 1-2 class periods. Program length is always adjusted to accommodate a school's needs.
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AUDIENCE SIZE
As a professional speaker and former teacher, Lisa accommodates audiences of all sizes (30-1,000+) for School Author Visits. Writing Workshops are geared to 1-2 classes per session, however large sessions are available. She adjusts presentations for the age and size of groups and coming from a large Italian family... she enjoys all size groups.
ASSEMBLIES
There are several presentations available, however, Lisa recommends the assembly below for first visits. Additional lively and informative assemblies are available for follow up and annual visits.
A dynamic and fun assembly begins with the true story of how Lisa and her mother, Lorraine, wrote their first joint book, The Easter Chicken, at local restaurant, Friendly's. Next, the students participate in a role play introducing them to four of the many people involved in publishing a book: author, illustrator, editor, and publisher. The beauty of this segment is when the editor repeatedly tells the author and illustrator to "Go back and fix it!" reinforcing what teachers tell their own students.
Once the group has a basic understanding of how books are made, Lisa shares the absolutely hilarious, true stories behind many of her books, including Everybody Moos at Cows, declared a "Great New Kids Book" by Rosie O'Donnell and/or You Can't Walk a Fish. Following the true stories is a power point presentation with real pictures of Lisa from her childhood, as well as current pictures of her husband, firefighter Captain Todd Willever and her young children, Jessica, Patrick, and Timothy, the source of many new ideas. This segment is designed to show kids that authors are regular people and that this is something they, too, can achieve. To bring the concept full-circle, one or two of the stories are read to demonstrate how real-life experiences can translate into stories and books. The end of the presentation is called "Ask the Author". It is a quick-fire way for the author to answer any questions the students may still have.
New Jersey Schools may also request the Nicky Fifth's New Jersey Assembly for grades 3 and up or have it combined with the main presentation.
In addition, Lisa shares information regarding the Franklin Mason Press Young Authors and Illustrators Contests and how children can have their work published in one of her books.
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For 2011-2012, several different presentations will be available to accommodate annual visits and a special presentation is available for Pre-K and or Kindergarten and also Special Education.
Middle Schools
Middle School presentations focus on the writing process and the events that lead to the completion of a chapter book. These presentations can be as a general assembly or by grade level or small group.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
In addition to the General Assemblies of a School Author Visit, schools may also opt for in-class Writing Workshops or Writer-in-Residence Programs. These can be one period or one period/week for a specified number of weeks.
Writing Workshops
Writing Workshops are a powerful tool for inspiring and educating children on the writing process from someone whose career depends upon it! Schools may select specific areas to be discussed, such as revision, organizing ideas, or publication, or a combination!
Nicky Fifth's New Jersey
An interactive presentation that shares some of New Jersey's most impressive people, places, and history in using an inspiring powerpoint presentation and lively discussion. Discover what an amazing state New Jersey really is!
Family Programs
Family Programs are available in the evening and several engaging programs are also available for teachers, including Teachers Make Great Authors and Teach These Kids to Write, Please!!
Keynote Speaker
Lisa has given the Keynote Address to many organizations including The College of New Jersey, Rider University National Writing project, and the South Dakota Reading Association
A WORD FROM LISA FUNARI WILLEVER
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"Teachers and parents always ask me where my passion comes from and I answer with a question; "How lucky am I to have realized my childhood dream and then be able to speak to children about it?" As an author, former teacher, and parent, I believe that it is as wonderful for authors and illustrators to interact with children as it is for children to interact with authors and illustrators! They become so familiar with our work and often know very little about us. During the presentations, I share stories and pictures of my own family my three young children-ages 5, 11, and 12, my firefighter husband, parents and siblings, so students can relate to their own lives and see that becoming an author is not out of reach. I appreciate the tremendously lovely feedback I receive from schools and I believe that it is the direct result of truly loving what I do. I knew when I was 8 years old that I wanted to become an author, yet I never realized how amazing it would be. By sharing my enthusiasm for writing, I hope to inspire the next generation of great authors.
"The explosion of interest in the Nicky Fifth chapter books has been so gratifying. As an author, my goal is to write books kids enjoy reading. As a former teacher, my goal is to have my readers learn something as they read. By using real NJ locations as the setting, they learn about NJ as they laugh. But as a mom, my ultimate goal is to motivate kids and families to explore NJ together. Having schools adopt the Nicky Fifth books as part of their curriculum and having families follow my characters' day trip itineraries, getting their Passports stamped along the way, has been amazing. Promoting reading, New Jersey, and family time is the realization of a lifelong dream. The Nicky Fifth books have become THE NJ Tour Guide for families and I am anxious for the release of book six, Nicky Fifth's New Jersey."
FEES
$995 1-3 shows, $350 for additional evening programs. If booked in an area for 3 or more days, travel expenses are reduced. Upon booking, 1 copy of each available title is donated to the school. Cow costume available!
Schools can have a portion of the Book Sale donated back to the school to help defray the cost.
SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
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All very simple, really... For the assemblies, Lisa brings her own laptop and projector, therefore the only items needed would be:
- A screen
- A table
- A chair
- A microhpone
- An extension cord
After seeing a news report of outrageous celebrity requirements, I once joked that I require blue M&Ms and arrived at a school only to find a huge bowl of... blue M&Ms!
For Writing Workshops, students do not need to bring notebooks or pencils. Lisa simply needs a chalkboard and chalk or a whiteboard and dry erase markers.
AUTOGRAPH INFORMATION
To make the Book sale as easy as possible for everyone involved, Lisa handles book sales in the following manner:
Pre-orders: Lisa sends schools order forms that have the cover of each available title, a brief summary, and a place for inscriptions. Order forms should be distributed 2-3 weeks prior to the visit. Schools may keep all returned order slips in an envelope and mail the slips (Priority Mail) directly to Lisa, 6-7 days before the visit. All books will be personalized, signed,and delivered on the day of the visit.
Day O'Visit and Now I Want A Book/After the Fact Orders: It never fails, once students and teachers see the assemblies, they realize they forgot to order books or need more! No problem! Schools have a post-visit book sale for 1 week after the visit. All order slips are sent together and Lisa will personalize, autograph,and ship, freight-free, to the school.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LISA FUNARI WILLEVER
Lisa Funari Willever
415 Route 68
Columbus, New Jersey 08022
Telephone: 609-209-9202
Fax: 609-291-7807
Email: lwill0517@aol.com
Websites:
