Having been a teacher, I am comfortable working with
both large and small groups, K - 8.

I also speak to parent groups, librarians and teachers,
and for conferences.

About My School Presentations
My presentations are geared toward a K-2 audience and a grades 3-6 audience,
but students can be grouped in any manner that works best for you. I also offer
Inside the Writer's Studio for middle school students, grades 6 - 8.

My presentations are both fast-paced and interactive.
They include:

How I work as a writer and a
tour of my studio.

Why revision is so important to good 
writing.

Where ideas come from and how
students can capture ideas to write
about.

Different illustration mediums used in my
books (for those students who are
interested in illustration)

I use overheads during the
presentations and the read-
aloud. Presentations are fast-
paced, interactive, use colorful
photos and images, and provide
writing and publishing artifacts
for older students.

Teachers and librarians say
"Your experience in the classroom shows. You really are attuned to your audience...
 a polished and professional presentation!"
-Jo Ann Bauer, Director, Children's Library Program

"All the folks at Worthington are still sharing wonderful stories from their classes 
 about your presentations. Thank you again for your inspiring presence at our
 Author's Festival!"
-Teacher, Grades 7-8

"You did a super job and had such a great rapport with the students!"
-Vice-Principal

"Mary was just excellent! What a pleasant time spent with such a creative person."
-Teacher

"The students really picked up on the idea that writing about their own experiences
 is a great starting point. Thanks again for the encouragement."
-Teacher, Grade 2

"Thank you for sharing with us this morning. The class was fascinated with how you  
 connected your life and your imagination.
- Teacher, Kindergarten

"Thank you, thank you, for giving so much to our kids - they loved you and your book
 and especially the kitty paw prints! I loved watching their faces as they packed their
 backpacks to leave, some of them kept the books out to show whoever was picking
 them up, some found a special place in their backpacks for the book! Your gift of
 time spent with each one of them was really fun to watch - they loved talking to you!"
- Betsy Burch, Ed.D, Site Coordinator, Pacific View Charter School

Kids say
"I loved your story, oh I'm the one that said 'I wanted to be just like you
 when I grew up'. Thanks for coming!"

"I liked your story a lot because most people can't be that good of friends
 with a cat. I wish I could be as good friends with my cat as Hannah was."

"Thank you for coming! I'm the kid that asked you if you had kids. I'm a
 triplet but obviously we are not identical."

"You write veree good stores. Sowe good that the cats saye meeyaw for it.
 That's how good your storees are . .  you can write that good. I can't
 bleevit."

"Whin you showed us your cat in the wig was rely funny. Whin you showed us
 the folders that was shoking"  [folders of revisions!]

"Thank you for the books you wrot for the school and the world."

"I liked it when I got my picher taken with you. It was fun and it was my
 first time geting my picher takien with an author. I will think about you
 when I read your books and geting my picher taken with you."

"I was really happy when I got to meet you. I would like to see you again."

"I liked you and your cats. Your visit was awesome. I also liked what you
 had to say about your family and you being a author."

"I like animals just like you, especially cats, dogs, lions, and birds.
 Thake you for coming to show whant you do and I also like your curly hare.
 I might be a righter some day if I can spell word cerecly."

"I hope you like Amerihost. My moms been cleaning your room."

"Thank you for visiting and the cat that had his hair sticking in curls was
 funny. But it was sad when the other cat's limb was taken off. The cat
 that died is in heaven right now. I wish you could come again. My grandma
 died. She might see him or her."

"I had lots of fun and I hope to see you again!"