Now Booking Presentations
For The 2024 – 2025 School Year
I ran an all day, every day, recreation program in our campground for 20 plus years. Now I’m a teaching assistant in a Special Education, all inclusive classroom at Whittier Middle School in Poland. I have always loved working, speaking with, and teaching children of all ages.
If you have a specific need, I’m open to developing a new program, as long as time allows.
All Day School Visits
Descriptive Words Matter!
For Grades 3 – 8. Can be geared for older or younger students as well.
Using the hands-on research behind Cooper and Packrat, my wildlife photography, and a game called, What’s in Packrat’s Coat, I demonstrate why descriptive words are so important to every story. Showing, not telling, is key to getting readers to imagine your story the way you intend them to. Finding and using descriptive words can be fun!
All day school visits would consist of the following:
- No more than four sessions -or- three sessions and a Q & A with a smaller group of students, such as a library volunteer or writing group.
- If in-person, I will bring a laptop and projector. The school would agree to provide extra extension cords, a presentation table, a screen to project on, and a microphone if needed.
- If virtual, the hosting teacher or librarian would set up the session(s) and host. I’m open to having one presentation for the whole school, or three to four smaller sessions as I do for in-person.
As presentation needs now differ so much from school to school, please contact me for Virtual Rates and In-Person Rates.
Mini- Presentations
I also enjoy speaking at after-school Literacy events, summer camps, book groups or library audiences. Choose from the above presentation, or one of the following wildlife presentations:
The Inspiration Behind Cooper and Packrat
I spent many hours on the trails and waters of Lower Range Pond with my camera while writing and editing the Cooper and Packrat series. I was lucky enough to witness nature at its finest and you’ll find those images transformed into the pages of Mystery of Pine Lake Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest, Mystery of the Missing Fox and Mystery of the Bear Cub. Using my experiences and photos, I’ll show the inspiration and tell behind-the-scenes stories from my hands-on research.
Photos include loon behavior, campground scenes, fox kit and eaglet photos – all taken in my backyard!
Loon Watch: The Summer I Monitored a Loon Family
During the Summer of 2016, I was fortunate to be able to monitor a loon family from their first failed nesting, through a second successful one right up until they flew to the coast for the winter. Using my photography, I’ll take you on that May through October journey complete with tender moments, frightening moments, and incredible loon behavior.
A mini- visit would consist of the following:
- One, one hour long session
- I will bring a laptop and projector. The facility would agree to provide extra extension cords, a presentation table, a screen to project on, and a microphone if needed.
Please contact me for Virtual Rates and In-Person Rates
Book Signings
I am available for book signings as my schedule allows, especially if it is paired with an all day or mini presentation.
Virtual Meet and Greets
A One Hour Virtual Visit can be tailored for your class. Possible elements to include:
- Showing my first published book from 6th grade
- Showing wildlife photos of loon, eagles, fox and bear from my hands-on research while writing and editing Cooper and Packrat
- Reading Chapter One from any of Cooper and Packrat’s mysteries.
- Students demonstrate their best loon calls
- Question and answer session
Please contact me for Virtual Rates
Single Classroom 30-minute Q & A Zoom visits:
I have a limited number of free, single class visits I can honor each year, due to my own writing demands and school workload. My only requirement is that your classroom has read one of the Cooper and Packrat books from the series beforehand. Please contact me for availability and more information.