Author of Under One Rock, In One Tidepool
Around One Cactus, Near One Cattail
and One One Flower
Phone: (717) 292-3001
Email: afredericks60@comcast.net
Put me with any group of kids and I… well, I behave like a kid! I’ll also talk about the books I’ve written, the books I’m currently writing, the books I’m going to write, (someday), and perhaps the books somebody else wrote that I wish I’d written (I’m thinking about changing my name to Bill Martin, Jr.). I’ll also provide your students with an exciting and dynamic look into the life of a children’s author, (kids are always amazed to discover that authors walk and talk just like real people), how writing has become a passion for me, and how the creative process works. What you won’t get is a dry, dull lecture that has kids dropping like flies in a summer heat wave. What you will get is a link to the process writing activities taking place in your classroom, the “inside story” on the books I have written, and a humorous, fun-filled experience designed to stimulate the reading habit for every student.
Testimonials
“Wow, that guy was really cool!
Gordon, Grade 3
“I think the neatest part was when he told us about all those ‘Fantastic Facts’.”
Marisha, Grade 5
“I sure hope we have more of his books in the library!”
Karen, Grade 4
“This was really awesome!”
Penny, Grade 2
“He sure was weird.”
Phyllis, (his wife
Types of Programs
Assemblies
This is for a larger group of students, (a whole school, half the school, a grade level, etc.) – usually in a large room such as an auditorium or gym. It can be repeated several times during the day. In this presentation I’ll show slides of all of my books, (insides and outsides), how I got the original ideas, how I conducted my research, the writing /drafting / revising that went into those books, and what I do when I’m not writing, (feed the dog, teach.) This is a fast-paced and lively presentation full of humor and tons of information. Plenty of time for questions. About 1 hour.
Classroom Visits
These provide students with an up-close-and-personal interaction with a real live children’s author. The emphasis is on informality and kids get to ask any kind of questions they wish ,(Yes, you may go to the bathroom.) I will also share ideas on how the classroom process writing program is virtually similar to the same series of stages I go through in writing a book. I can also focus on a single book and “dissect” it completely for students so they know exactly what went into it. About 45 minutes.
Writing Workshops
I will take any size group of kids and work with them on a variety of writing topics. Of course, the smaller the group the more personal attention each child receives. We can work on fiction or non-fiction topics and take a single idea and “run it” through the complete writing process from start to published product. These sessions are tailored for the age, grade, and interest/ability levels of selected students. 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Lunch with the Author
Students who have participated in some kind of writing competition or random selection process can lunch with me. The group will be small, (5-7), and we can have lunch in a designated area of the school, (away from the crowds), or in a local restaurant. Students get individualized, personalized attention and a detailed critique of a writing project. The atmosphere is relaxed and selected students can ask a multitude of questions. 1 hour.
Question and Answer
These are usually “free form” sessions that allow audience participants to ask any and all questions, (No, I will not ask your parents to give you more money for your allowance.) The group can be large or small. The structure of this session is determined only by the types of questions I get. These are informal and a lot of fun. Variable time.
Panel Discussions
How about having several authors come at the same time? Get them together to talk with kids, (and answer all their questions,) about any aspect of the writing process. These are wonderful opportunities for kids to get many different and divergent views of children’s book writing. Variable time.
Book Signings
I would be more than happy to spend a whole day or half-day at your school signing copies of my books and talking informally with as many kids as possible. Of course, a book signing can be scheduled after any of the presentations listed above, (see below.) This would be a terrific opportunity for the local Parent/Teacher organization to raise funds.
Putting Together a Visit
Work my visit into a Young Author fair, a school-wide writing contest, or some other time when writing is a curriculum focus.
Plan my visit as a capstone event for a school science fair (most of my books are science-related and I can be portrayed as a scientist who writes children’s literature).
I would be happy to do a parent workshop in the evening – sharing ideas and strategies on how parents can stimulate the reading habit in kids. This can be a straight presentation or set up as a “hands-on” workshop in which parents and their kids participate in some creative learning activities using my books (perfect for the Title I programs)
Consider a shared visit – I’ll be happy to visit one school in the morning and another in the afternoon. The schools can be in the same school district or in two separate districts.
Consider having me visit your school for an extended period of time (several days). Then, I can do any and all types of large group, small group, and individual presentations.
I’m extremely flexible and am very willing to do any combination of programs for your students, faculty, or school. That could include a teacher inservice program in combination with an author visit, book signings in combination with a Young Author’s fair, or any other possibilities that meet your needs. Give me a call and let’s play around with some options.
Fees
Fees are flexible, subject to change, and can always be negotiated depending on the type of program or combination of programs desired.
1 full day – 1 school – $1495.00/day*
2 full days – 2 different schools (same district) – 3% discount – $1450.00/day*
2 full days – same school – 3% discount – $1450.00/day*
3 full days – 3 different schools (same district) – 5% discount – $1420.00/day*
3 full days – same school – 5% discount – $1420.00/day*
4 full days – 4 different schools (same district) – 7% discount – $1390.00/day*
5 full days – 5 different schools (same district) – 7% discount – $1390.00/day*
*Plus transportation, hotel, and meals
PLEASE NOTE: The honorarium is payable on the day of the program (or on the first day of a multiple-day program). Transportation and hotel is a direct charge to the school/district. Per diem is billable.
I look forward to the opportunity of sharing my books with your students. Please call or e-mail me and let’s discuss some possibilities, available dates, and ways to make literature, writing, and learning exciting elements in your students’ lives.
