Children's Author David Elliott Does School Visits

School Visits

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

In many ways, the work of a writer is no different from that of a basketball player, a chef, or a cellist. It's about practice and taking risks. What might I do, then, if I were to come to your classroom? If you have a specific topic you'd like me to discuss, all you need do is ask; otherwise, here are some of the topics I generally cover in a fifty-minute session, adapting, naturally, to the grade level and age of the kids.

Getting Acquainted
What have you been reading?
What are some of your favorite books?
Why do we read?
Why do we write?

Writing Work and Revision
What's the difference between Learning to Write and Writing to Learn?
What are ideas? Where do they come from?
How does an idea turn into a story?
Revision: Almost always, I bring along manuscript pages with my editors' comments scribbled in the margins. We discover together how similar these are to the kinds of comments you might make on their homework in the drafting process.

The Collaborative Process of Book Making
What is the relationship between an author and illustrator?
What does an editor do? How do editors and authors work together?
What is the role of the design department? The marketing department?
Often, we look at international editions of The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle, noting how the same book changes from culture to culture.

Writing Exercises (Upon Request)
Poetry: Paying close attention to such poetic elements as rhythm, meter and rhyme, we write our own version of And Here's to You! (By the way, though it is intended for much, much younger children, I've had wonderful success in the sixth-grade classroom with this book.)
Fiction: Using both The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle and Evangeline Mudd and the Golden-Haired Apes of the Ikkinasti Jungle, the children begin their own stories, focusing on point of view and the differences between writing in the first and third person.
Figurative Language: What is a simile? A metaphor? Why do writers use them so often? When are they effective? Why do they sometimes fall flat?

Whatever the topic or task at hand, I strive to engage the children in a natural, spirited and honest dialogue. It's always my hope that I leave them energized with expanded knowledge not only about writing and its many rewards but also about themselves and their world.

FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

Curiously, I've discovered that adults are often interested in the same subjects as the children they care for, so my presentations to older audiences are often similar to those for younger people. If, however, teachers, parents or librarians are interested in specific presentations, one of my favorites is entitled "How Scrooge McDuck Saved My Life", a discussion on the merits of allowing children to have some choice in the matter of what they read. Since one of the pivotal moments of my youth occurred in a Carnegie Free Library, I'm also always happy to speak on the surprising and important roles that libraries can play in a young person's life. Writing workshops for adults interested in writing for young people are also available.

TESTIMONIALS

"Your enthusiasm and support for good literature was evident as you spoke of the many ways to look at children's books. When you were leaving that night, I had three "seasoned" early care educators come up to me and tell me that they were so moved by your talk that it has motivated them to take a second look at themselves and how they present literature to young children...Three Cheers to YOU!" --Lyn Smith, Education Director, Maine Roads to Quality

"David Elliott was delightful. He was deeply engaged in teaching the craft of writing to our students through an entire day of classes. He brought the group writing experience to an exciting pitch while never losing control of the classroom. The student enjoyed themselves immensely. There was laughter and good writing all around." --Kathy Hanley, Longfellow School, Portland Maine

CONTACT

If you should have any questions regarding a school visit, please don't hesitate to contact my booking agent, Kirsten Cappy at Curious City.

Kirsten Cappy
Curious City: Where Kids & Books Meet
118 Emery Street
Portland, ME 04102
207-699-2755 Phone
kirsten@curiouscity.net
http://www.curiouscity.net