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 about 45 minutes, tailored for grades K-2 or 3-5. 

I’ll bring a presentation on my iPad or laptop with VGA & HDMI adapters, 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.

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

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!

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 (2022/2023 academic year)

For schools within 50 miles of Wakefield, Massachusetts, the fee will be $250/presentation, with a minimum of 2 per day, and a maximum of 4, any combo of assemblies or workshops.

If you book 5 or more presentations for your school within the same week, the price per presentation drops to $225/each – you’ll save over $100!

For schools more than 50 miles from Wakefield, MA, the per day fee (3 presentations) is $1,200, plus travel expenses.

For Title 1 schools, a discounted fee may be available – 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 or we can coordinate an online sale through http://www.authorvisitcentral.com, an author-run site that works with local indie bookstores.