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 visit schools and libraries within Connecticut to present programs that engage students in dialogue about the creative process.

For the 2018-2019 school year, my school visit fee is $1200 a day, which includes four presentations. One-hour long public library visits are $250 and include a craft activity. Add travel expenses if school or library is more than 50 miles from my home.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS:

INSIDE AN AUTHOR’S BACKPACK
(K to Grade 2, 30 minutes long)
We will discuss the “invisible backpack” an author wears her 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. It can also be presented over two sessions for more depth.

PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTATIONS:

ROBOT, GO BOT!
(PreK to Grade 2)
In this presentation, we will discuss machines and how they make our lives easier, by using a “real” robot to demonstrate the topics in my nonfiction book Simple Machines. We will then focus on my early reader Robot, Go Bot!, a simple story that touches on themes of friendship.

LOOK FOR LADYBUGS!
(PreK to Grade 2)
Using my early reader Look for Ladybugs and my nonfiction book Crawl, Ladybug, Crawl, we will talk about the difference between fiction and nonfiction. I will discuss how an author works turns facts into a story. We will “play” with ladybugs and practice Boehm directional concepts.

PATTERNS AND SHAPES IN NATURE
(PreK to Grade 2)
My nonfiction picture book A Star in My Orange and my series The Shape of the World introduce children to the power of observation. This presentation touches on science topics and the mathematical concept of sorting based on attributes.

BE A DESSERT DESIGNER!
(Grades 3 to 5, or 5 to 8)
This workshop will focus on the creative process, and the research adventure I took when writing my Dessert Designer series. After discussing the development of ideas and the value of experimenting, we will spend time decorating cookies with a variety of edible “art supplies” and use our imaginations to create.

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.

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