School Visits
PRESENTATIONS
Research? Are you Kidding?
2nd through 6th grade, 40 minutes, 5-10 minutes at the end for questions.
Pencil: A Story With A Point!
K through 5th grade, 40 minutes, 5-10 minutes at the end for questions
Why Should I Walk? I Can Fly!
K through 3rd grade, 40 minutes, 5-10 minutes at the end for questions.
Tip & Tucker: Gone Missing! And Tip & Tucker: Hide And Squeak!
K through 2nd grade, 40 minutes, 5-10 minutes at the end for questions.
To book author presentations, please visit my website at anningalls.com. You can contact me at ann.ingalls.books@gmail.com or through my website.
Ann Ingalls’ presentations are dynamic and engaging. Her enthusiasm for her subject, and for writing, and for life in general is conveyed effortlessly as she models how to be curious. That’s what it comes down to, I think. Her years of classroom experience serve her well as she manages to bring each student along for the adventure. Kids love her and clamor to be called on. Educators love her because they know their students are being inspired, horizons are expanding. I highly recommend her.
Clare Hollander, Manager, Kansas City Central Library Youth Services
School Visits
I enjoy visiting schools to talk with students and teachers about writing picture books. School visits provide a wonderful opportunity to interact with children and to shed light on how a book is created. It is very satisfying to hear from a teacher that after my presentation, her students couldn’t wait to return to their desks to write a story and draw a picture!
Presentation content:
The focus of my presentation is the process of writing a picture book. Each step is examined:
- reading the manuscript
- using the most important tool I have —my imagination
- reference and research
- revising (“What do you mean it’s not perfect?!”)
Roles of the author, editor, art director, and illustrator are explained. Cooperation of those involved in the creative process is stressed, as well as the notion that in order to excel, practice and perseverance are essential. I wrap up the presentation by answering questions and drawing a picture.
Presentation length: Presentations for K-1 last approximately 30 minutes with 5-10 minutes at the end for questions.
For other age groups, presentations last 40 minutes with 5-10 minutes for questions.
The audience: I enjoy speaking to kindergarteners and adults and all ages between. Because I adjust my presentation to fit the audience, I prefer to address groups of similar age if possible. I do not limit how many people can attend one presentation, but generally speaking, smaller is better.
Materials I will need:
- A computer connected to a projector. I will bring my PowerPoint presentation on a flash drive. (Please have someone familiar with your projector available to assist with set-up, including adjusting focus & keystone distortion.)
- A USB remote so that I may advance the “slides” from my speaking location.
- A screen (The bigger, the better—especially if the presentation takes place in a gymnasium)
- A table at the front of the room
- A microphone, if necessary
- Drinking water
Venue: The room you select should comfortably accommodate the audience and be conducive to viewing projected images. It’s a good idea to do a trial run in advance to be sure the room can become sufficiently dark and that all of the equipment is in working order.
Schedule: I will do up to four presentations in a school day.
Book signing: There are two ways to handle book signing. One is to have the children present when I sign their book. This can be done between presentations or after the final presentation. The other is to collect all of the books and schedule a block of time when I can sign. In either case, please place a sticky note on the title page with the child’s first name (or for whom the book is to be inscribed).
Honorarium:
- $300 per presentation, for up to 4 presentations during the day
Travel Fees: If I drive to your location and you are located more than 100 miles from my home in near Liberty, Missouri, there is a mileage fee equal to that allowed by the IRS (currently 51 cents/mile). If flying to your location, I will make airline reservations (direct flight, if possible). The host will reimburse me for the cost of airline tickets at the conclusion of the visit. If an overnight stay is required, the host is responsible for reserving and paying for lodging. Honorarium and fees are due at the conclusion of the visit. Once we’ve arranged a visit, I will mail a packet including book ordering information, my photo, and a letter of agreement.