Author Visits

Author Visits

     It's always fun to visit schools and libraries. I have ten published books, and I work with which ever book you might want me to present. Most presentations are for Pre-K to Grade 4. I enjoy telling students about my books, and why I wrote them. I'm a former teacher, certified librarian, 4-H leader, and Cub Scout leader. I visit schools, public libraries, and museums. I also am available for activities at night at schools.

     Since I have a few Oklahoma stories, I try to encourage students to discover more about their state starting with my small picture books. If they are interested in discovering even more information about their state, there are many books available.

    All my books are published by traditional companies. I've received awards for Grady's in the Silo,  The Great Elephant Escape, and Sunsets and Haiku.

   My Scanner book and my Clancy book are on Oklahoma's Redbud Recommended List.

  Grady's in the Silo and The Oklahoma Land Run have AR  tests.

   If you like Scottie dogs, my Scanner book, and the second book, Scanner and the Icky, Stick Gum, might be of interest to you and your students. Scanner listens to children read in the school library, and gets into a little trouble sometimes. Each of these books will have a situation where the librarian, Miss  Copywright, has to look up a Dewey numbered book for a solution. Once the children have read the book, they know where to look in a library for other books which have a similar number.
     
   My Oklahoma Land Run is often read during a western day, a pioneer day, or before a school's land run event. Some schools who work on zoo or circus units enjoy my Great Elephant Escape book which happened in Hugo, OK.

   Some of my books are a part of the Ag in the Classroom curriculum. I have presented at their summer conferences. If you haven't checked out their resources, google Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom. They have many activities for teachers and include many Oklahoma agricultural links.

     For schools or public libraries, my presentations are usually 30 minutes for younger students, and vary between 45 and up to an hour for older students. I participate in Summer Reading activities across the state.
 
    For my programs, I usually talk about my books and read them to students. I give background information on the book and sometimes on the illustrators involved. I try to include games that children can play and sometimes an activity to go with my books.

    I also have a Racing/Writing talk that includes information on writing skills using terminology in the racing field. I use my Racecar Driver's Night Before Christmas book with this presentation. The writing tips I teach go along with Oklahoma's curriculum guidelines.

   I also teach a short haiku workshop using my Sunsets and Haiku book. This is best for grades 3-4.

    For some of my presentations, I need a few tables for displaying objects that I bring with me. I have puppets, game items, posters, etc. If I'm bring along my items for the western/pioneer/land run  exhibit, I'll need at least three or four tables. I also need extra time to bring in the items and set them up. And, the presentation is usually about 45 minutes long.

   If we work on a craft, I'll sometimes need newspapers, glue, scissors, markers or crayons, etc. I'll get together with the librarian or teacher before working on any crafts, though.
 
    Cafeterias, auditoriums, and gyms are not the best places to have author visits. Without a mic, children can't always hear me or see the illustrations in my books. You also lose the closeness that students and authors often feel when the room is too large. However, I realize that this may be the only place big enough for the presentation.  I may need a mic if I'm in that big of an area. If there are only a few classes (2 or 3), I may not need a mic.

    I usually need a glass or bottle of water, and I prefer at least 10 to 15 minutes between classes. This is especially necessary if I am setting up the pioneer/ western/land run items again for the next group to see. Breaks give me a time to rest my voice for a few minutes, too. It's hard to continually read my stories without a break.

   With younger children, I prefer only two classes to a session. If they are very young, I may tell the story using the illustrations instead of reading it. If a small group of students are in a library or classroom, I prefer a chair to sit in while I read. Students usually sit on the floor or at their desks.

  My books are for children ages 4-10. My books, Toby and the Secret Code  and  Ben and the Missing Pony, are a part of my Choctaw Adventure series. Although written in English, they do have some Choctaw language in them and can be used with older students. My haiku book could be used with students in upper grades, too.

  I try to provide information on crafts that students can make after my visit. I also have worksheet examples for teachers.

 I enjoy having the opportunity to sell my books. You may purchase books from me, and you usually have that opportunity to do so while I'm visiting your school, library, or museum.

I prefer quick camera shots instead of videos if someone wants to film part of my visit. If I take photographs while working with children, I try not to put the pictures on internet unless the parents have signed a statement (usually given to them by their schools) for permission to use their child's picture on line. Teachers usually know if a student's picture can or cannot be used on internet. I do not put names of students on the internet. I'd love to have copies of the pictures that you take while I'm speaking or reading, though. You may email them to me at unabelle1@gmail.com.

I do encourage a question and answer session. Some teachers have students make up questions ahead of time. Others do not, but I'll answer what I can for students. This should be a learning experience for students. Some may want to know where I get ideas for my stories. Others may want to know the process from the first word I write to the publication of the book. A few want to know how much money I make, and a few ask my age! I don't always answer every question.

My fees are negotiable. I know that many libraries do not have extra dollars for author visits. Some have PTA groups that help. Others have fundraisers. I'll work with you on my author visits.

If interested, you might want to visit my blog, unabelletownsend.blogspot.com or my website, unabelletownsend.com for more information.

  You can reach me at unabelle1@gmail.com