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AUTHOR VISITS

AUTHOR VISIT OPTIONS

There are so many ways to connect authors and young readers! 

Connecting authors and readers is a magical experience. This school year, I'm offering even more options to make the experience possible for your school! In-person visits will always be my favorite way to connect with students, but I'm so excited to also offer virtual visits, pre-recorded on-demand visits, and a chapter-by-chapter behind-the-scenes Beatrice Zinker package in 2024-2025. Scheduling is currently open—reach out to reserve a date for your school or classroom! 

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IN-PERSON VISITS

I love visiting schools, connecting with readers, and inspiring creativity! 

Each in-person visit includes three large-group presentations—as well as a small group chat (i.e. lunchtime chat with a group of special readers/writers/artists), and a book signing if desired. Each presentation is 45- 60 minutes, and is designed for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER is often used as an all-school read—and is part of Read to Them's One School One Book program this year—so I love connecting with, and inspiring, the full spectrum of age groups in my presentations.

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  ALL THE UPSIDES OF YOU - BEATRICE ZINKER PRESENTATION  

This is my main presentation for all ages. The assembly begins with my personal journey from shy, artistic kid to eventual published author, and includes fun Q&A, and an interactive student draw-along session. Students learn the barriers that originally kept me from following my writing dreams, the advice that changed my life, and behind-the-scenes tidbits about the ups, downs, and in-betweens making of BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER. Students leave excited to read, write, and draw—and encouraged to follow their own passions. 

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  FINDING JOY - PICTURE BOOK PRESENTATION  

This presentation focuses on my picture books, MORE THAN SUNNY and THIS JOY!, and is geared for younger audiences. As a writer, each day is a treasure hunt. This talk encourages kids to think like a writer and see like an artist as they search for the beauty in the world around them. This session includes a short Q&A, student draw-along, as well as a picture book read-aloud if desired.

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SCHOOLS CAN CHOOSE ANY COMBINATION OF PRESENTATION OPTIONS.

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VIRTUAL VISITS

The next-best thing to being together in-person! 

Virtual visits are a wonderful way to connect across the miles. In addition to the main presentation, Q&A, and interactive draw-along, students get a peek into my studio, and sometimes my birds! I have three virtual options available—plus some pre-recorded options listed in the next section.

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 SINGLE VIRTUAL PRESENTATION 

One 45-60 minute virtual presentation. You can choose any of my in-person presentations as a virtual presentation, and it'll be almost like we're in the same room together.
 

 FULL DAY VIRTUAL VISIT 

Similar to an in-person visit, a full-day virtual visit includes three group presentations—as well as a small group session (i.e. lunchtime chat with a group of special readers/writers/artists) if desired. Each presentation is 45- 60 minutes, and is designed for grades Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. You can choose any combination of in-person presentations for our virtual full-day visit.

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 30 MINUTE VIRTUAL Q&A SESSION 

A 30 minute virtual Q&A works best for a classroom or one grade level after reading BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER together. This is a relaxed session focusing on student questions with no prepared presentation. The full 30 minutes can be devoted to Q&A—readers ask amazing questions!—or 10-12 minutes can be reserved for a student draw-along time.

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CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER VIDEOS

Special on-demand content for One School One Book readers!

Is your school doing an all-school read of BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER? This package of chapter-by-chapter behind-the-scenes video sessions is a perfect add-on to deepen the experience. Once purchased by the school, chapter-by-chapter video context will be accessible to each classroom and family to view on-demand at their convenience during the 2024-2025 school year. Includes more than twenty pre-recorded videos + bonus content. If there is expressed interest, this behind-the-scenes bonus package will be available soon to be purchased as a stand-alone package, or combined with a school visit.

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 BEATRICE ZINKER: BEHIND-THE-SCENES BONUS SESSIONS 

After reading a chapter of BEATRICE ZINKER together, readers, families, and classrooms will have personal access to 5-15 minute video segments featuring specialized chapter-related content, including the author's thoughts and glimpses into the writing process, anecdotes, early sketches, fun facts, and conversation-starters to ponder. (Does not overlap with author visit content.)

PRE-RECORDED VIRTUAL VISITS

Watch on-demand at your convenience!

Pre-recorded virtual visits allow smaller groups and individual classrooms to experience the visit at different times and in smaller settings, at their convenience. Both in-person presentation options are offered in this pre-recorded format for maximum flexibility, and contain the same content. Each visit includes an energetic talk, student draw-along session, and a fun Q&A featuring FAQs. (Shelley is fully recorded for these 45-60 minute on-demand sessions.)

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Bring Shelley's upside down thinking to your community!

Looking for a speaker for your conference, gathering, or special event? Let's chat!

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 THE ADVICE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE 

This talk is designed to inspire young writers, as well as aspiring authors and artists. It follows Shelley's sometimes-humorous personal journey from shy, artistic kid to published author, including the barriers that originally kept her from following her dreams, the advice that changed her life, and behind-the-scenes tidbits about the ups, downs, and in-betweens making of BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER. Attendees leave excited to read, write, and draw—and encouraged to follow their own passions.

 

 CELEBRATING NEURODIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM 

Teachers change lives. This talk centers on creating a welcoming classroom environment for all the Beatrice Zinkers of the world. Beatrice's second grade teacher validated and celebrated her upside down thinking, and inspired Beatrice to create her top-secret organization, Operation Upside. The impact of being seen and appreciated has ripple effects that go on further than we imagine.

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 CUSTOM KEYNOTE 

Have a theme you'd like me to focus on? I'd love to hear your ideas!

ONE-ON-ONE ZOOM SESSIONS

Now offering one-hour Zoom sessions!
Whether you have questions about entering the publishing industry, writing or art processes, or would like feedback or direction on a manuscript or book idea—even if you just need a little encouragement—I'd love to help! 

Let’s Work Together

Get in touch so we can start working together.

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