Have Barry Speak At Your School!
| Who Am I? My name is Barry Deutsch. I'm the author and illustrator of Hereville, a graphic novel about "yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl." Hereville received five starred reviews (from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and The Bank Street College of Education), and was described by a School Library Journal reviewer as "the best graphic novel of 2010 for kids. Bar none." (You can read more reviews of Hereville here.) Hereville was nominated for an Eisner Award, a Harvey Award, an Ignatz Award, the Andre Norton Award, and won the 2011 Sydney Taylor Book Award -- the only graphic novel ever to win. More importantly, I love talking to kids, and kids love graphic novels! Kids are used to looking at books in the classroom, and watching cartoons or reading comics on their own time, but graphic novels combine the intensity of storytelling with the fun of images. They teach students to read, but more importantly, to enjoy reading--which may be the most important skill of all! What's In My Main Presentation At a typical school presentation, I speak between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on the school's schedule. My presentation begins with a live drawing presentation in which I draw "wacky faces." I call on students and ask for suggestions about what the faces should look like--male or female, big-nosed or snub-nosed, with mohawks or flowing braids--so the students can see how I compose caricatures live. I also show kids face-drawing techniques they can put to use immediately. The drawing demonstration is followed by a reading from my graphic novel Hereville, featuring three student readers playing parts, and additional participation from the entire audience. The reading is illustrated with dozens of drawings from my book, projected on a screen. The reading is followed by a slideshow, in which I discuss topics like how I became a cartoonist, where my ideas come from, and my creative process. My slideshow ends with an animated film of my drawing process at twenty times actual speed, so the students can see a drawing form from its first scribbly lines to the final shading on the leaves. After the slideshow, I take questions from the audience, and then (if time allows) do one or two more wacky-face drawings. Classroom Workshops I also have a classroom workshop. I present a short (10 minute) slideshow in which I explain and demonstrate the basics of story structure in a four-panel comic strip (including an animated film of the process). Then I have the students create their own comic strip for the remainder of the class period, while I walk around the class and give students feedback on their work. Free Bonus Presentations For The Younger Kids! Usually, my presentation is given to grades 3-8. If the school would like, I'll visit one or two K-2 classrooms in addition to my main presentation, and give younger kids an abbreviated presentation consisting of a few live "wacky face" drawings (and Q&A if the teacher likes). This is quick (usually just 10-15 minutes), and guaranteed to be fun for the kids. And there's no extra charge! I'd recommend having some blank paper handy -- after talking to me, the kids are usually eager to draw! Audience Size and Fees I have spoken to groups as small as 15, and as large as 400. My typical audiences are drawn from grades 3 to grades 8, although I've also spoken to high schoolers and adult groups. My speakers fee is $600. If multiple schools in an area would like to save money by having me speak at multiple locations over a one or two day period, the fee will be $500 per school for two schools, or $400 per school for three or more schools. I do ask that the schools provide someone to ferry me from school to school! The $600 fee includes one or two presentations or workshops at your school (for instance, my presentation plus a classroom workshop, or doing my presentation twice). If you want more than two presentations or workshops, that will cost $200 per additional presentation or workshop. For example, if you'd like me to do my presentation, plus lead two classroom workshops, the total fee would be $800. Another example: If you'd like me to present the slideshow twice and also lead four classroom workshops, the total fee would be $1400. I can also do the exact same presentation via Skype! The fee for a single Skype presentation is $250. Please email me to discuss an appearance at your school. |         |
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[...] School Visits [...]
I’d like to speak with you about a school visit here in Portland at Hayhurst with Amber Keyser (who suggested you).
I’m the parent volunteer who is in charge of the Author Day at the school
Please email me.
Thanks,
Bonni
Bonni Goldberg