Menu

Author Visits

  • Author Visits

Author Visits

“Engaging, relevant to our curriculum and FUN!  Dana brought the audience on an interactive journey through the writing process that was informative and inspiring.  She has such an easy way about her – completely accessible. She really knows how to connect with her audience and talk to kids. This was a super fantastic presentation!”

Deb Kantrowitz, Grade 3 Teacher, Whiting Lane Elementary School,West Hartford, CT

 

“I think the fact that each of the presentations were specifically geared for a targeted age level was a huge advantage.”

Shanon Pimentel, Library Media Specialist, Lyme School, Lyme, CT

“When children’s book author Dana Meachen Rau visited the Welles Turner Library to share some of her early stories and picture books, children got the opportunity to meet a real author who has a wealth of books under her belt and a tremendous talent for teaching.”

Glastonbury Reminder-News, July 22, 2008

“She taught us so much about the writing process, how a book is published, etc. I learned so much from her!! The kids were very attentive and they were a terrific audience.”

Kathleen Mucha, third-grade teacher, Andrew Avenue School, Naugatuck, CT

“Your presentation was FANTASTIC! You covered all areas with a nice emphasis on the Boehm Concepts. I know we will be using your ideas for years to come here in kindergarten…especially to reinforce the concept words.”

Janice Williams, kindergarten teacher, Lake Garda Elementary School, Burlington, CT

“Thank you for coming to Laurel School and sharing your energy and love of writing books with the students. All the first grade teachers were still talking about your visit at the end of the day. It was great!!!!”

Rita Holby, Laurel Elementary School, Bloomfield, CT

“I received many positive comments from student and teacher alike, praising the content of your sessions as well as your gentle manner with the children.”

Erin Guarino, Reading Consultant, Laurel Elementary School, Bloomfield, CT

“Your presentations supported our writing programs wonderfully! From the concept of collecting ideas from what you know and see, to the idea of molding writing like clay, we will refer to your ideas in our writing workshops.”

Patty Farrah, Librarian, Union Elementary School, Farmington, CT

SCHOOL AND LIBRARY VISITS FOR CHILDREN

Photo by Janice Williams

I’m looking forward to resuming school visits for the 2021-2022 school year! Presenting programs and engaging students in dialogue about the creative process is one of my favorite parts of being an author.

I offer two options:

Live Visits: My school visit fee is $1200 a day, which includes up to four presentations. My public library visits are $300 an hour. Add travel expenses if school or library is more than 50 miles from my home.

Virtual Visits: This is a great option for schools further from my home (I live in Burlington, Connecticut) or with a limited budget. My fee is $300 an hour, and as many classrooms of similar age levels can Zoom in per school as needed.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS:

INSIDE AN AUTHOR’S BACKPACK
(K to Grade 2, 30 minutes long)
We will discuss the “invisible backpack” an author wears their whole life. This backpack is a place to collect ideas–the experiences, characters, and observations that we can transform into stories!

RESEARCH, REWRITING, AND REWARDS
(Grades 2 to 5, 50 minutes long)rau2 - Version 2
This program will engage students in the process from idea to bound book, focusing on biographies, specifically the Who Was Biography series. We will discuss the role of the author, including getting ideas, research techniques, development of plot, and the important task of rewriting. Then we will cover the roles of other hands in the process, such as the illustrator, editor, designer, and printer.

THE WRITE WORDS: BUILDING AN ICE CREAM SHOP
(Grades 3 to 5, 50 minutes long)
We will compare the process of writing nonfiction to the building of an ice cream shop, by discussing prewriting (making a blueprint), drafting (constructing the walls), and revision (adding the flavor!). This workshop includes lots of games and activities and is best with a classroom-sized group, but can also be adapted to a virtual visit. It can also be presented over two sessions for more depth..

PRESENTATIONS FOR ADULT WRITERS, TEACHERS, OR LIBRARIANS

I am also available to speak at conferences geared to fellow authors refining their craft or to teachers and librarians who use my books in their classrooms or libraries. Feel free to contact me.