KEVIN O'MALLEY

Author & Illustrator

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

I visit quite a few schools each year. Sometimes I think it just might be more fun than working on books. I put a lot of energy into the performance and by the end of the day, I'm usually pretty wiped out. But it's a great feeling. The only time I think I caused some trouble was when a group of second graders was told to run around the soccer field after my show. They were really fired-up.

I usually do 4 shows a day.

I do one performance for each grade level.

The shows can run from 45 minutes to an hour.

I'll even stay, if I can, and talk to the parents on those special school nights.

I can perform for larger assemblies if you like but it's a bit tougher trying to match my work with a larger age range. I do, in fact, try to keep my material relevant to each group.

Now, about the performance. I've been told that I act 'just like Robin Williams' (this is a great compliment, though I think a bit overstated.) I start by explaining about how I got started drawing and how I began doing children's books. Then, as a group, we re-tell a fairy tale or folk tale, whatever story fits the mood of the group. I always draw the story out on over sized paper (you're welcome to keep the drawing... good catholic schools raffle them off for book drives).

I've visited big schools, little schools and every school in-between. The thing that still amazes me is that I've never been to a school where the kids didn't act like kids. And that is a wonderful thing.

Equiment Needs: A pad of paper, three magic markers, and coffee if you have it.

The honorarium is due after the last show on the last day. Generally speaking, I charge $1,900 a day, plus expenses. 

For further information, especially about the expenses (travel, hotel, and meals), click the "Arrange An Appearance" button and see "General Information on the Cost of an Author Appearance" as well as the 'Honorariums' section near the bottom of "How to Plan an Author Appearance."