JAMES RANSOME & LESA CLINE-RANSOME

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

James Ransome's Presentations:

This is how he structures his program, which is about 40 to 60 minutes long: he makes opening remarks that last about 2 minutes.  During his Powerpoint presentation, he discusses how he got into the field of children's books, the variety of projects he has illustrated, the artistic influences on his work, where he works, how he does his research, and the different stages of the children's book process. He likes to take questions for 10-15 minutes and end with a drawing demonstration that includes student participation. The program usually lasts about 40 minutes for grades 1-2 and 45-60 minutes for grades 3-8. For kindergarten children, he doesn't do a Powerpoint presentation. Instead, he prefers to do a 10-15 minute question/answer session and drawing demonstration for a small group. To give his best to the students, three sessions a day is the limit. A detailed schedule must be sent to him at least two weeks prior to thevisit. Please group students according to grade level for his presentations.

What he needs to have on hand the day of the presentation:

---Projector for a Windows Laptop

---Easel

---Ten 27x34 sheets of paper per presentation (available from any office supply store in the presentation section)

---Two (non-toxic) colored magic markers of different colors

---Drinking water

---A room that can be darkened for an effective Powerpoint presentation

Flight preferences: Window seat, non-smoking. Early morning flights (any time after 6:00 a.m. from Stewart) or the next to the last flight the evening before.

Lesa Cline-Ransome's Presentations:

Her presentations are typically about 40 min. in length or 30 min. for Kindergarten. She gives an overview of the books she has written and discusses the writing process: generating ideas, research, rough draft, manuscript, revision and final copy. She offers writing tips with examples, shows where she works, discusses a day in the life of a writer, introduces her family (and dog Nola), and touches upon the challenges and rewards of non-fiction writing.

She is also available to do writing workshops with smaller groups, where she discusses the writing process and creates writing exercises. She always leaves time for Q & A.

Honorarium for James Ransome:

$1,900 to $2,000 a day, plus expenses* (this may be somewhat negotiable)

Honorarium for Lesa Cline-Ransome:

$1,200 a day, plus expenses* (this may be somewhat negotiable)

Note asterisk is for both of them:

*The following is included in the expenses: The car service typically charges $150 from their home to LaGuardia.  As an alternative, he or she can drive to Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY, and the gas mileage would be cheaper, but all of the flights from this airport have connections at hubs and they are more expensive. Jet Blue and US Air are the main airlines from Stewart. The car service they use is On Target Richie Transportation (telephone 914-739-5208). The flights are so inexpensive from LaGuardia, it is sometimes worth the $150 to get there.  Also, all flights from LaGuardia are direct, so there is less possibility of missed connections/delays. 

To further discuss the honorarium for James or Lesa, please contact Balkin Buddies via phone or email.

Please note that the honorarium should be presented to James or Lesa following the last presentation on the last day.

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."

References:

Connie Rockman

Stratford, CT 06614

Tel. 203-381-9509

connie.rock@snet.net

Ellen Rubin

Library Media Specialist

Wallkill Senior High School

90 Robinson Drive/PO Box 310

Wallkill, New York 12589

845.895.7150

Fax: 845.895.8021

Cyndi Giorgis, Ph.D.

Professor of Literature Education

Author, Literature for Young Children: Supporting Emergent Literacy Ages 0-8

Department of Teaching & Learning

University of Nevada Las Vegas

4505 Maryland Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89154-3005

702-895-4329 (office)

702-895-4898 (fax)

giorgisc@unlv.nevada.edu

Cyndi said of James' and Lesa's March 17, 2012 appearance: Thank you again for suggesting that we invite James Ransome to our conference. James and Lesa were absolutely wonderful. The feedback on their presentation and question and answer session was fabulous. I just can't say enough about them as incredible presenters and amazing people. It was a gift to have them here.

Hannah Owen

Deputy Director

Youth Services Librarian

Hickory Public Library

375 3rd Street N.E.

Hickory NC 28601

Tel. 828-304-0500 ext. 246

email HOwen@ci.hickory.nc.us

Hannah said of James' April 3, 2006 appearance: James's programs were wonderful. He really engaged the children. His combination of a visual presentation and hands-on activities was perfect. I would highly recommend him to other schools and libraries!