SUSAN STEVENS CRUMMEL

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

PRESENTATIONS:

During a full day school visit, I make three 45-60 minute presentations. During a half-day visit I make two (but half day visits are only available on a limited basis).

In each session I plan to:

-focus on the importance of reading, writing, and storytelling

-talk about the creative process

-share the experience of writing stories in collaboration with my sister

-read some of my books using power point, puppets, props, and skits to add visual interest

-answer questions from students and teachers

TEACHER TIPS FOR ALL IN ONE HOUR :

1. Time - Have students find all of the clocks in each spread. Give the time on both the analog clocks and the digital clocks.

2. Lapsed Time - Give students clocks with movable hands. Have them set the clock to the time given on each page.

3. 3-D Art - Have students create 3-D art by creating a background on a sheet of paper. On another sheet, draw an animal (or any object) and outline it in black. Cut out the object, roll a piece of tape and stick the object to the background (do not press down). You can also tape a square of foam board to the back to get a cleaner 3-D look.

4. Collage - Have students make an animal like the ones in All in One Hour using scissors and colored paper and glue (or tape). Make it 3-D!

5. Making Connections - Have students read This is the House That Jack Built and compare it to All in One Hour .

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

-low AV cart with 2 outlets (for my power point)

-large projector screen

-chair and table for props at the front of the room

-water to drink

-microphone (cordless if possible)

The success of the visit hinges on how well the students are prepared. Familiarity with the books generates excitement and invites student participation during a presentation. Involve the teachers by encouraging them to use the books in the classroom (see Teacher Tips). Classroom teacher attendance during each presentation is mandatory, as it insures effective follow-up discussions and activities as well as proper student behavior. Please do not schedule presentations during "specials." Reading and writing are seldom part of the PE, Art, and Music curriculum.

Most schools order books so that students can buy them and have them autographed during the visit. I will be happy to sign any books during break times. Please have a slip of paper or post-it note in each book with the name to be inscribed printed legibly. Unfortunately I cannot autograph slips of paper, t-shirts, or hands.

HONORARIUM:

The honorarium should be presented following the last presentation on the last day.  Generally speaking, her honorarium for three sessions for a school visit is $1,200 a day, plus expenses.  To be a convention or workshop speaker, she usually charges $1,200 a day, plus expenses.  On a very limited basis, she'll do a half-day school visit (2 presentations) for $750 a day, plus expenses, and this is usually locally.  To discuss other variations of her honorarium, please contact Balkin Buddies by phone or email.

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."