Hi.  I’m glad to know that you are interested in having me visit your school.  I really love to meet the children who read my books and the teachers and librarians who bring those books to them.  I am often asked to meet with children in kindergarten, first or second grade, but I have presented to all ages, including high school and college.

Typically, my presentations are made in small groups (20-25 students) using hand-held materials.  I am happy to travel from classroom to classroom, or have children meet me in a common area such as the library.  I read a book, and then explain the creative and technical process involved in creating it, showing rough drafts of manuscripts, thumbnail sketches, the book dummy, art materials and original paintings.  I take questions, and end by making a drawing on an easel. I like to share a recent book since I am most likely to have good supplemental materials, and a fresh memory to go along with it.

I like to keep my presentations intimate and spontaneous.  Regardless of the book I am presenting, I am eager to use my time with the children as an opportunity to inspire a love of reading and to encourage their own powers of self-expression. I try to break down the creative process so that students feel they can participate in it at any level of skill or maturity, and understand that hard work, patience, and confidence are as essential to creative expression as raw talent.

My fee for schools within a 50-mile radius of Norwalk, Connecticut is $600 per day.  Fees and travel arrangements for schools farther away are determined on a case-by-case basis. I can make four 45-minute presentations in one day, with a 15-minute transition scheduled between each group.  I am happy to sign books while I am at the school.  Arrangements for ordering books directly from the publisher need to be made at least three weeks prior to my visit.

My only requirements are an easel, large paper to draw on, name tags on all the children, and a teacher or librarian actively engaged in the presentation.

Arrangements for larger groups, necessitating a Power Point slide show and use of microphone in an auditorium can also be made.  These specifics are determined by the needs of the school.

If you would like to schedule a school visit or have any of your other questions answered, please contact me by email at lizzyrockwell@mac.com.

Book ordering information:

To order books from Harper Collins call: 1 (800) 242-7737

To order books from Crown or Random House call: 1 (800) 733-3000