What Katy Drew Next: Book an Author / Illustrator Visit with KD Brown

Growing up, I had the chance to meet Kenneth Thomasma, author of Naya Nuki, at a school assembly and it changed my life forever.

Meeting an author or illustrator is a uniquely powerful way to help children connect with stories and bring books to life. What better way to inspire and encourage children to read, write, draw, and enjoy creativity?

I’m happy to work with large or small groups and can tailor a presentation for older or younger audiences. Although my books are aimed specifically at younger children ranging from ages 4-10, older students will still enjoy learning about writing and illustrating as a career. Writing workshops will help students to identify themesa story structure, learn character development, outlining, and story-boarding as well to generally encourage an interest in writing.

The goal of my presentation is to help teachers with instruction and to further their curriculum, rather than to provide just a fun and engaging distraction for students. I am happy to work with educators to adjust my appearances to better fit their lesson plans.

I will also provide teaching resources that educators can use to prepare students for my visit. Students who are prepared ahead of author visits are more likely to be involved and interested.

Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12

Group Sizes: I’m happy to work with any number of students and will tailor the presentation to fit specific topics or lesson plans.

Fees: At the immediate present, I visiting schools in the Idaho Falls and surrounding 20 mile area at no cost. For schools outside this area, I ask that my travel expenses be reimbursed.

Presentations

Presentations for PreK-K will be approximately 25-30 of interactive storytime. Presentations for grades 2 and up are typically 60 minutes in length and includes a ‘question and answer’ portion where students can ask questions about what it’s like to be an author or illustrator.

Please provide a microphone, projector, and large screen. A small table for props is also helpful. Please keep an aisle in the middle of seated students to facilitate volunteer and presenter movement. Please schedule 15-20 minutes between talks and include a break for lunch if I'm making multiple class appearances.

An interactive story-time. PreK – Grade 1. We’ll read the title (or titles) of your choosing as a class. This is an entertaining way to engage young readers. We can, time permitting, look at how pictures are made for storybooks. I’ll demonstrate how small, basic shapes are used to create a larger image. The group can draw, create a character, take turns reading, and have an energizing time creating together.
What does a Writer Do? Grades 1-3. What is a typical day like for a writer or illustrator? Where do ideas come from? How to use word associations and substitutions to create ideas for characters. Have you ever thought about talking directly with your protagonist? Maybe you should try interviewing them before you start writing them! I’ll demonstrate how to do quick illustrations using shapes to create larger images.

Workshops

Workshops work best for groups of 10-30 students and are most successful when desks have been arranged in a horseshoe shape to facilitate group brainstorming. Students provide their own paper and pencils.

Character Development. Grades 3-6. A small group of 10-30 students works best. This 60-minute workshop will help students with character creation and development. Beginning with a guided brainstorming session, we’ll eventually work as small groups to do a “character interview.” Students will receive encouragement as well as suggestions on ways they can improve their writing. This program requires students to have desk, paper, and pencils.
The plot thickens. How to Write a Story. Grades 3-6. This workshop focuses on how to use the 5 W’s, “Who, What, Where, When, Why,” and don’t forget, of course, “How.” We’ll work on a story outline together as a group to ask questions like “Who is the story about?” “where does it take place?” “What happens” and so on. We can touch on the similarities and differences between fiction vs. fiction, where ideas and inspiration come from, and the life of an author. This program can be 60 minutes in length and works best for groups of 10-30 students. This program requires students to have desk, paper, and pencils.

Teacher and Class Preparation

To get the most of an author appearance, please read at least one of my books - or begin working on a lesson plan about books or writing in advance of a visit. It really helps to prepare students for the presentation and helps to encourage interest and involvement. If students have been working on a book-related project or activity, they are generally more excited and engaged on the day of the visit. Teachers, please plan to remain in the classroom during the entire visit to help encourage participation and involvement.

Please download and distribute my book order forms and author visit sheets the week before the visit is scheduled.

Autographed Books and Ordering

Schools are not required to sell books, but typically students and families will want the opportunity to order books before the visit and get them signed on the day of the visit. I’ll provide an electronic copy of my order form and autograph request sheets for you to print and distribute.

Books are paperback and $10 each. For bulk classroom orders, a wholesale price of $7/book is offered.

I will gladly inscribe books to students as requested.

Fees and Honorariums

I’m working to develop and perfect my appearances and will be temporarily be visiting schools within the Idaho Falls and surrounding 20-mile area at no fee. I would ask that libraries and teachers send home a flyer about my upcoming author visit, along with a book order form, for parents to review both before and after my visit. I will provide the electronic copy of these materials to the teachers for printing and distribution.

For schools outside of this 20-mile area, I’d still love to visit! I simply ask that you reimburse my travel expenses.