SUSAN PEARSON

Writer, Poet & Editor

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:

FOR SCHOOLS :

BARNYARD BAGÑGrades 1-3 - 45 minutes

Children are invited to choose poems by picking an animal from my Barnyard Bag. Some poems lend themselves to children acting them out, some to a sharing of fun facts about the animals, some to a simple explanation of form (even the youngest child can understand the concept of a list poem), some to talking about the writing process or where an idea came from (for example, How did I come to know all the breeds of chickens?).

Grades 4-6 - 50-60 minutes including time for questions

I lead off with a funny poem that will get laughs and crack the ice, then select other poems that lend themselves to talking about:

- the editorial process including revisions, poems that were deleted from the collection, poems that got changed to fit the art, even printing mistakes;

- the writing process (I often use a tape recorder while I'm driving and bring tapes as well as samples of early drafts);

- a more complicated look at form ( for example, ÒWinter MiracleÓ was initially patterned after ÒStopping By Woods On a Snowy EveningÓ);

- interesting facts about the animals (Did you know that Queen Elizabeth I had a pet guinea pig?).

LIMERICK/GRIMERICK Ñ HAVING FUN WITH LIMERICKS

Only for children old enough to be studying limericks - 50-60 minutes

Limericks are great fun to write and one of the easiest verse forms to learn. Since they are all about being corny and silly, most kids take to them right away. I share some of the great limericks with them, some of my own Ògrimericks,Ó and work with them on writing their own.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: none

MAXIMUM AUDIENCE: 100 (My presentations are best with smaller groupsÑno large auditorium presentations, please)

AGES: Grades 1-6

I will also do very short sessions with kindergartners if need be.

I am also comfortable talking with junior-high/middle school kids (in small groups only), though my books are directed at younger children.

HANDOUTS FOR TEACHERS:

-bibliography of poetry for children

-sheets about a few poetic forms including examples of limericks, list poems, and a few others.

NUMBER OF PRESENTATIONS PER DAY: Three

FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:

Using anecdotes, I share the joys, sorrows, humor, irritations, changes, and great satisfactions of my 30-some years spent writing and editing books for children.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: lectern and microphone, slide projector and screen; I bring my own carousel.

FOR WOULD-BE CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS:

Speaking as a working children's book editor, I have for years participated in writers' conferences. I have also taught extended classes in writing for children at The Loft and the University of Minnesota Extension in Minneapolis. My presentations can be tailored to the conference.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: for inspirational speeches a lectern, microphone, slide projector, and screen; for small groups nothing.

HONORARIUM:

The honorarium is $1,000 a day, plus expenses, for schools for up to 3 sessions. A 4th session will be considered, depending what additional fee is offered.  Conference fees are open to negotiation and depend on your budget.  Please contact Balkin Buddies by phone or email to discuss. The honorarium is due on the last day of the visit, right after the last presentation. 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."