Assemblies

My visits are full of behind-the-scenes images, detailing my process of writing & illustration.   I talk about my connections to animation and how I gather ideas, draft stories, sketch, revise, and create final art.  With smaller groups (50 or less), we can play an interactive storytelling & drawing game, and larger groups often get a sneak peek into future projects. I currently offer two main presentations, both with built-in time for Q&A:

CREATING STORIES (K-2) focuses on noticing how small changes in your stories can make a big impact.

A MESSY PROCESS (3-5) explores gathering ideas, brainstorming, drafting and revising.

As always, if you have a specific part of the process where you would like some extra emphasis, please let me know!   

More Details

Most presentations run 45-60 minutes, tailored for grades K-2 or 3-5. 

I’ll bring a presentation on my Mac laptop with an HDMI port, and ask that you provide a projector, a screen and attentive teachers to assist with classroom management. I also ask that students have read at least one of my books, since they’ll get much more out of the experience if they’re familiar with my work!

I welcome photographs during the presentation, but request that teachers and parents refrain from video recording.

For some great advice about getting the most out of your author visit, as well as some possible grants/ funding sources, check out this step-by-step guide posted by Texas author Donna Janell Bowman.

Workshops

Looking for a more in-depth exploration for your students? Workshops for individual classes are a great way to get a deeper dive into storytelling, drawing and writing! Recent workshops have included storytelling games and mini-comics.

Sessions can focus on a specific topic such as gathering ideas, collecting details for stories, brainstorming, revision . . . or they can be tailored to the specific needs of your class – contact me at thereul@gmail.com to discuss!

Pricing 2024-2025

For schools within 50 miles of Wakefield, MA, the fee is $500/presentation, with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 per day, any combination of assemblies (50+ students) or workshops (individual classes).

If you book 5 or more presentations within the same week, you can get 10% off of the total fee (saving $50/presentation).

One hour virtual events, or one hour public library programs (within 50 miles of Wakefield, MA) will be $400/presentation.

Visits to schools further than 50 miles from Wakefield will have a per-day rate of $1500 (for 3 sessions), plus travel expenses.

I am happy to offer a limited number of discounted rate days for Title 1 schools – please contact me for more information.

Book Signing

If your school participates in a book sale ahead of the presentation, I’m happy to sign books in person, or leave personalized bookplates so that students can have their own signed copies.

You can run the sale through your favorite bookshop, my local store Whitelam Books, or we can coordinate an online sale through http://www.authorvisitcentral.com, an author-run site that works with local indie bookstores.

COVID information: I am fully vaccinated & boosted. In addition, I am happy to wear a mask, and/or take an at-home antigen test prior to in-person visits, if requested.