Author Visits/Keynotes

Virtual Author Visits

Zoom or Skype
Email for prices (about half of in person visit prices).*
Lower prices for families or groups of fewer children.

Live Author Visits will resume in the future.

Following a Skype Author Visit (Loving vs. Virginia):

Workshop/Programs

• NEW: Lift As You Climb – Social Justice & Poetry Writing – In this presentation/workshop, Patricia will introduce herself as a dancer/storyteller-turned writer; guide students to write their own simple poems about themselves, using the poetry of Lift As You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker and Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker as models. We will discuss the question: What do you hope to accomplish? (for 1st – 5th grades; another version for 6th-12th grades)
• Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker compared to Struttin’ With Some Barbecue: Lil Hardin Armstrong Becomes the First Lady of Jazz (for 3rd – 6th grades)
• Struttin’ With Some Barbecue: The author reads and Traditional Jazz Orchestra plays live (for all ages, great for March Women’s History Month)
• Loving vs. Virginia: the Supreme Court case, Civil Rights Movement, Systemic Racism in our Society and the Love Story (for 6th – 12th grades)
• Research: tips on primary research, interviewing, organization, etc. (for writers (conferences), high school students, etc.)
• Using Diverse Books in the Classroom and Library (for conference professionals)
• Writing Terrific Characters (for writers)

All workshops align with Common Core Learning Standards. Each presentation models how a writer might revise.
All presentations are customized to your needs.

Teacher’s Hand-Outs

• Handout IRC Presentation: Using Diverse Books in the Classroom and Library: Getting Students to Check Them Out and Read Them (Word file)
• A Curriculum Guide to be used with Loving vs. Virginia (PDF file)
• A Curriculum Guide to be used with Blossom Tales: Flower Stories of Many Folk (Word document)
• A Curriculum Guide to be used with Zinnia: How the Corn Was Saved  (Word document)
• A Curriculum Guide to be used with Frog Brings Rain (Word document)
• Folk Tales Curriculum Guide (Word document)
• Josephine Curriculum Guide (PDF file)
• Josephine Plot Points (Word document)
• The Complete Story Maker
  • Do A Verb (Word document)
  • Quest Plot (Word document)

Bibliographies

• Picture Book Biography Bibliography – Black History (Word document)
• Picture Book Biography Bibliography – Written as Poetry (or verse) (Word document)

“Your energy and creativity lifted us that day, and we were energetically immersed in a swooping session of words, ideas, thoughts, movement, color, and passion.  The students really responded to you and to each other as they thought, acted, stretched, self-corrected, and kept on trying!  I definitely love what you do in the classroom, and I want to do what you do!  It’s so creative!

“As well, thank you for showing us how you write stories, how you work with illustrators, how you take and release ownership of your work for the benefit of the published piece – all of this helps us see the possibilities for our own selves as future authors, illustrators, publishers, readers, and teachers.

“Your lesson plan format and modeled lesson will help me in my future writing classes.  Thanks again for sharing, and we are all the better for it.”

– Peace!
Mary Anne Jusko
Gr.5
Robeson School

“Thank you so much for a wonderful performance last night at Family Reading Night! You made a definite impact on Kaleigh. She loves to read anyway and you only strengthened that love!”

– Keri Alagna-Adams,
parent of 2nd grader
St. Joseph Elementary, St. Joseph, IL

Patricia is on the Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Arts-in-Education Roster and the Artstour Roster and her programs can be partially funded (from 35-60%) by the Illinois Arts Council.

Schools or School Districts belonging to State Reading Councils, such as the Illinois Reading Council (IRC), might consider submitting a grant proposal to their State Reading Council to help fund an author visit. The deadline for proposals for the IRC is in early June.

The Urbana School District received funding from the IRC, the IAC and the Urbana School District to bring Patricia in to conduct mini-residencies in each of the six Urbana elementary schools for Fall/Winter 2004.

Visit Patricia’s page on The SCBWI Speaker Directory.

Her work has been described as follows:

“Patricia Hruby Powell presented her delightful mix of storytelling, dance, and love of writing to our large diverse student body. She was warm engaging, comfortable and sincere in her dealings with both large group assemblies and with individuals — students and teachers. A year later, the students are still talking about her visit and asking when she’ll return.”

– Barb Luther
Librarian, Central Primary School
Bloomfield, NM

“You are my favorite author. You are my favorite storyteller.
I like the moon walk. How did you do the magic? Were you
really pulling on a rope? Please come back.”

– Angela, Chelsea, Ryan, David
4th graders from Pasco County
Tampa, FL

“…funny…clever…provocative…and intensely warm and bold.”

– Laura Barbour, Philadelphia

“Patricia touched the hearts of many and enabled us to reach our goal for encouraging families to share the joy of reading.”

– Mary Kay Hostetler, Springfield, IL
Feitshans School Principal

     

“Anyone who can keep several hundred intermediate students enthralled for 45 minutes is truly exceptional. Not only are you a talented story teller, you are skilled at keeping children focused and attentive. Your performance was dynamic and unique. I strongly recommend anyone considering scheduling you for an appearance at their facility, to contact you without hesitation.”

– Mrs. Georgia Butler, New Port Richey, FL
Intermediate teacher at Anclote Elementary

“I invited Patricia to perform dramatic readings of several short stories by young authors for a recent book release party. She was magnificent! Patricia made the stories come alive – and what an inspiring experience that was for the young authors who were in the audience. I’m sure the kids and their friends and families will never forget it.”

– Debbie Mitchell, Events Director
Magic Tree Bookstore
Oak Park, Illinois

Festivals and Venues, selected list

“In working with you, my daughter has not only enjoyed herself, but has blossomed. You have changed the way she expresses herself and sees her world. You’ve helped her to realize the power of words, especially verbs! Her stories and descriptions of life’s situations are more potent and concise. To inspire and create a spark in the imaginations of the youth today is truly a gift. I feel very blessed, not only to experience your vivacious techniques in my classroom, but to see your effect on my own child. For that, I thank you. AMAZING!”

– Sincerely,

Stephanie Alves
1st grade teacher and mother

Contact Information