Kathleen enjoys speaking to students from K through high school. Below is a sampling of her presentations, but any of these can be tailored to suit your school's particular need.

NEW! School Visit Photos!

Programs

Storytime

Kindergarten

Kathleen will show the students some posters from her native, Scotland, read her book, The Giant King, and end with a short discussion about the importance of kindness and finding the good (the king) in one another. (30 minutes).

Journey with Story

Grades 1 - adult

Using her latest story, Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer, Kathleen explores how stories are like journeys. What do we take in our "suitcase"? What obstacles might we meet? Will there be diversions? What are our favorite parts? Can we read the signposts? What souvenirs will we bring back? These are some of the questions that form part of this thought provoking and popular presentation.

From Fact to Fiction

Grades 1 - 4

Kathleen shares some facts about her homeland, Scotland, and then shows the students how her stories stemmed from her own life experiences. She reads a snippet from all of her picture books to emphasize the beauty of the spoken word. She shows the children some edited manuscripts as well as the picture book "dummy" of her forthcoming book. She finishes with a Q and A session. (45 minutes - 1 hour)

The Storyteller

Grades 5 - 8

Kathleen reads from her picture books and emphasizes the value of picture books for all ages. After showing examples of how her own books evolved from her own life experiences regarding issues of belonging, prejudice, creativity, and family, she shares some thoughts about the writing process that the pupils can relate to their own works "in progress." She finishes with a Q and A session. (1 hour)

The Writing Craft

Grades 5 - Adult

How do we become better writers? Kathleen explores the skills and tools that every writer needs to become better at her craft. Using examples from her own books, she shows students how every piece of writing reveals something about who we are and how we view the world. She also emphasizes the benefits of writing, even if we don't become a "published author." (1 hour) (popular for Young Author's Days)

Group Size

You may make your group as small or large as you wish. However, most children benefit most from a group size that is not larger than 60. Of course, much depends on the individual school, and Kathleen is very flexible and has given presentations to assemblies as large as 200+.

Equipment

All presentations are in PowerPoint (except for Kindergarten), but Kathleen only brings a disk. She needs the school to provide:

Laptop computer with PowerPoint
Screen
Helper to have equipment set up 15 minutes before the assembly begins
Helper to move slides along as she speaks
Microphone (for large groups)
Table—to lay out all her stuff
Water

Fees

$500—One day visit—includes up to 4 sessions and autographing
$250—Half day visit—includes up to 2 sessions and autographing

Travel expenses—$60 for schools over 40 minutes from Denver, CO area.
All plane and lodging expenses for out of town visits.

For schools with financial constraints—Kathleen does 3-4 free school visits in the year—contact her for more information.

Autographing

Kathleen will be available to sign books before or after her visit.

Tools

(all in PDF format)

Download Book Ordering Information
Download Tips on Preparing for a Visit
Email Kathleen about a School Visit

Praise for Kathleen's School Visits

"Kathleen Pelley is a captivating story teller. Her cheerful enthusiasm is contagious. She is an inspiration for students and teachers alike."
—Megan Lucey, First Grade Teacher, Our Lady of Victory School, Washington DC

"The second graders at our school were spell-bound for an hour by the lyrical language, warm presence, and inspirational tone of Ms. Pelley's presentation. Many of these 2nd graders have decided that Ms. Pelley is their new favorite author...."
—Deborah Hensley, Librarian, Horace Mann Elementary School, Washington DC

"An excellent presentation. The children were captivated during the whole session. Very impressive."
—Angela Laird, 1st Grade Teacher, British School, Washington DC

"My second grade class and I enjoyed your visit with us. We were all enchanted by your books and loved hearing that you put some of yourself into them. Thank you for including the fact that you revise your work and make many drafts. It was wonderful for the children to hear that even professional writers don't get it perfect right away."
—Cathy Field, Second Grade Teacher, Christ the King School, Kansas City, MO

Contact

Email Kathleen about a School Visit
If you do not hear back from me within a week, please email me again.

Photos

Monfort Elementary School, Greeley, CO (October 2010)