PROGRAM LENGTH
My presentations run from 45 minutes to an hour including Q&A at the end. I usually shorten it to half an hour for the Pre-K/Kindergarten kids.  I can give up to 4 presentations a day. 

CONTENT
I talk about my background and where I live; show artwork from my childhood, college and freelance years to show how my art style has changed; talk a little about each book and read my latest book; discuss where my book ideas come from and what my writing/illustrating process is like; do drawings of characters from my books and an interactive drawing with the kids; at the end I do Q/A.  If time permits I sometimes show clips of some animated spots I did for Nickelodeon TV and/or a Weston Woods animated film of one of my books.

BOOKSALES
If you want to sell books, you can buy them at a large discount through my publisher, Henry Holt (contact Tim Jones at Tim.Jones@hholt.com) or purchase them from your favorite bookstore.  If you’d like to schedule a time for me to sign books that day, I'd be very happy to do so.

EQUIPMENT
I do PowerPoint presentations and I have a Macintosh laptop so the only equipment I need is a projector (if it’s a PC compatible projector, I have an adaptor). If you have a setup with your own computer I can use that if you’d prefer.  If you’d like me to show any of the videos I’ll need speakers to hook up to the computer or a TV/DVD player.  The only other equipment needed would be an easel/paper to do drawings. 

IDEAL SCENARIO
I’m most comfortable speaking to elementary kids since my books are geared for that age group but I’m willing to talk to any grade level.  I simplify my presentation for really young kids and speak more in depth about the writing/illustrating process, etc. for older kids. 

If possible, I prefer to present in a library or classroom rather than an auditorium or gymnasium.  This way I have more interaction with the students because they’re not as spread out and the room isn’t so echo-y.  BUT if an auditorium or gym is the only option that’s fine.

I’ve found that my school presentations are more enjoyable for kids when they’ve read my books ahead of time.  This way they’re more excited when I arrive and have great questions ready for me! 

For FEES and SCHEDULE please e-mail me at schoolvisit@lauriekeller.com