BRING KELLY TO YOUR SCHOOL!
With more than 25 years of experience in children's literature and publishing, Kelly is qualified to speak on a variety of topics pertaining to children’s writing.
You are the bees knees… I can't believe how [Kelly] connected with folks even during a less than peaceful setting.
— Jenny Bloom, Library Director, Quogue, NY.
"Visiting school, meeting students, teachers, librarians — readers — is the frosting on this writer’s life — and I love frosting!”
“Hi Kelly!!!!!
OMG!!! Thank you so much for the visit on Tuesday. The kids absolutely loved it so much.”
—Mary Blair, Librarian, Samuel Staples Elementary, Easton, CT.
Kelly Bennett is passionate about reading, writing, and creating, & shares this passion in her lively, interactive presentations for readers! writers! creatives! of all ages.
School presentations change as new books, new times, new experiences arise, which keeps Kelly fresh and engaging. That being said, student programs always include discussion of the creating & revising process, read-aloud time, and plenty of interaction and student participation. Likewise, programs are tailored to suit the ages and interests of the students—and teacher/class objectives—in this way providing the best experience possible. (Scroll down for a sampling).
Equally comfortable with large groups or small, Kelly is happy to speak to as many students as can fit comfortably & safely into the available space—classroom, library, cafetorium, or Virtually!
Let’s Zoom! While details change, some things stay the same:
Each presentation, while highlighting a featured book or books, Kelly:
Encourages Storytelling
Shares Idea Starters
Discusses the Creative Process—including revising revisions!
Shows how books are made
Spills secrets from her books
NEW: VIRTUAL VISITS
Times being as they are, Kelly is offering virtual visits using Skype, Zoom, or whatever platform works best for your students. She’ll give the same (but slightly shorter) presentation, including interaction with students & Q&A time—and, if time allows a peek into her inner sanctum—aka “The Brain.” *Fees are listed below
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL AGAIN:
Full-day school visits (at one school) include four (4) 40-50 minute presentations & a 30-minute presentation for Pre-K/K students. Half-day visits include two (2) 40-50 minute presentations & a 30-minute presentation for Pre-K/K students. *Scroll down for fees.
Kelly Bennett is a featured speaker at SCBWI, OWFI & AWP Conferences and Workshops, a contest judge, panelist, and critic. She has facilitated children’s writing retreats, full- and half-day workshops, and library seminars for a variety of organizations.
“Best part for me was [Kelly’s] technique of audience participation woven in.”
“Watching a Kelly Bennett performance is like homemade pie—warm, sweet, and wanting a second slice!”
Popular Presentations Include...
Baseballs, Bats & Rat-Traps
Grades 3-5:
Utilizing her lyrical non-fiction picture book, THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT, about the original Yankee Stadium, the legendary baseball player, Babe Ruth, and baseball, we’ll explore where ideas come from, doing research, and how books are created.
From Pet to Picture Book
Grades K-3, 3-5, 6-adult:
In the beginning, there was a goldfish… Students will discover how a favorite pet inspired a story, and how friendship, stage fright and tuba love converged to create NORMAN, ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH, a brand-new adventure with our fine finny friend, Norman. These presentation can also be designed as a workshop for writing students of all ages.
NOT NORMAN: Fish & Other Pets
Grades Pre-K–1:
“I wanted a different kind of pet. NOT NORMAN.” Utilizing her picture book, Kelly will discuss different kinds of pets—especially fishy ones—with very young listeners. The program is interactive with songs and movements.
VAMPIRE BABY: Truth about Biting Babies
Grades Pre-K-3:
The true story of how a biting baby sister's own story—and big brother's misfortune—became a picture book entitled VAMPIRE BABY and how, in the same way, all of our adventures can be shaped, molded, twisted into compelling stories.
DANCE Y'ALL, DANCE! Two-Steppin' through US History
Grades 3-5:
In this lively presentation we'll explore how inspired by her family's Two-Step lessons, Kelly wove U.S. history, inventions, and a quirky cast of characters into rhyming, rollicking picture book, Dance, Y'all, Dance.
Playing With Words aka Writing for Children is Not just Child's Play
Grades 5–adult:
Workshops for older students, children's writers, and teacher in-service sessions focus on a variety of writing-related topics including: critiquing, finding your character's voice, finding the writer's voice, marketing your work and the business of children's literature. When appropriate, class and individual exercises are incorporated into the program.
Picture Books are Like Icebergs—It's What You Don't See That Counts
A writing workshop:
What is it about some picture books that make a child ask “read it again” and “again” and “again”? In this hands-on workshop we will dive below the surface of popular picture books to see what makes them stand out. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how picture books work, components of successful picture books, and the surprise that makes a picture book special—knowledge they can use to strengthen and develop their own picture book manuscripts. Best as a half- or full-day session.
Surgeon, Builder, Therapist, Artist, Chef—Picture Book Revision Five Ways!
A picture book revision workshop:
Time to pull all those pretty but dusty “almost there but not quite” “somethings wrong but what?” picture book manuscripts out of the drawer. Gloves & rose-tinted glass off, we’ll dissect and evaluate manuscripts. Then, using tools, techniques and mentor texts we’ll rebuild, restructure, reenvision, recreate—and yes, assassinate “darlings” in the process—all with one goal: Shaping those wanna be stories into a could be/should be books!
“Thank you for the absolutely incredible Skype lesson....You were so engaging, fun, and informative! My students loved you, and couldn’t stop talking about the experience with each other and to people in the building! ”
SCHOOL VISIT FEES
And if you have budget restrictions, let’s see what can be worked out. That said:
Virtual Visits...
1 presentation: $400
Half day (2 1/2 presentations): $700
Full day (up to 4 1/2 presentations): $1000
30-minute Skype/Zoom Q&A: $250
TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT:
If you have any questions: Contact Kelly!
Up Close & Personal Visits…
For schools within local driving distance of Houston or NYC. (Or, if Kelly will be in the area anyway…):
One presentation: $600
Half day (2.5 presentations): $900
Full day (4.5 presentations): $1200
*Fees can be split between schools. Kelly offers a multi-school discount for 3 or more consecutive days in one area.
For schools more than a 2-hour drive:
Travel expenses, airfare and hotel accommodations. Travel fees are based on airfare from Houston, Texas or New York, whichever is closer to you!
Public library, evening, and after-school presentations...
For library events (1 presentation and signing): $200*
Evening or after-school program along: $500; Added to school visit: $250.
*If you want to plan a library event with more than one presentation, let’s chat!
KIND WORDS FROM PAST SCHOOL VISITS
“Kelly, Thank you for your grace and courtesy and love of what you do. It shows in your interactions with everyone, whether it was a student, parent or random librarian. Your love of reading, writing and kids was a beacon at assembly, and family night, you drew everyone in to your wonderful writing and stories.”—Elizabeth Holloway, Kinkaid School Librarian, Houston, TX
"Kelly, Your books are still wildly popular and there is a long list of students waiting to check out Vampire Baby! What surprises me is that the older students (grades 3 and 4) are the ones placing that title on hold most often. Your popularity and the impact of your school visit continues to have a ripple effect on our community of College Hills student readers."—Sally Smith, Librarian, College Hills Elementary, College Station, TX
"Kelly Bennett, picture book author and Terri Murphy, illustrator, inspired, led, pushed, pulled, and guided attendees through the process of developing a picture book from inspiration to publication.” – Alice Brock, Review of BV SCBWI’s Not-For-Beginners-Picture Book Workshop
"I learned a lot about what picture books really are and about what my stories really are. I came away excited and exhausted, and I've written a lot since then.” – Sam Pittman II, 4th grade teacher
"Best part for me was [Kelly's] technique of audience participation woven in.”—Sally Smith, South Knolls Elementary School Librarian, College Station, Texas
“Thanks so much for Skyping with us today, our students loved it! The conversation you had with the kids today was perfect and so relevant to what we are working on as readers and writers.”—Krista Koziarz, 4th Gr. Holland Patent Elem. Holland Patent, NY
“I appreciated all that you did to make the audience feel at home and encouraging the kids to interact with you and encouraging literacy. The world needs more passionate people like you. . . . “—Jeanie Garza, Children’s Librarian, Anita and W.T. Neyland Library * Corpus Christi Book Festival, Corpus Christi, TX.