"Authors with Ambition"
with Lydia Griffin
K-3
My presentation per classroom is just under one hour long. It is an
interactive program that educates, inspires, and entertains the children. I
start by reading my new book BeBa and the Curious Creature Catchers. I then
ask the students a series of question which are based on the book but allow
them to answer with personal stories and anecdotes.
From there, I elaborate on the process of writing, illustrating, and
publishing. I bring props and show-and-tell type items. I want to encourage
everyone to have confidence and take risks. All authors and illustrators
need to have ambition. I teach them about what ambition can do for them. I
help remind them that a writer does not have to be an illustrator to produce
a children's book. And an illustrator does not have to be a writer in order
to produce children's book illustrations. I emphasize the benefits of team
work, developing personal talents, and focusing on ambition.
Finally, as a group, we brainstorm and write a new BeBa story. Usually, I
ask the teacher if the students would complete one illustration from the
book as homework or in-class project. I then leave a self-addressed envelop
and ask the teacher to send me the completed illustrations. I post them on
my web site a few weeks later. The classroom can visit their page, read
their story, and see their art work online at
www.bebastories.com.
4-6
For the older students, I modify the program slightly by reading the story
and then moving directly into writing a new one. I ask them more general
questions about what makes a good story and explain how to create a brand
and a merchandisable character. I focus more on the editing process and how
many drafts it takes to create one story. I speak to them more along the
lines of friends and ask for their help in developing better stories myself.
If time allows, I ask them to create a character of their own. If a student
is a good illustrator, then draw the character. If the student is good with
words, they can describe the character in as much detail as possible. Then,
each student shares their character with the class.
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