Visiting Illustrators

SCBWI members are working writers and illustrators with a special soft spot for kids and the education they receive.

SCBWI officers are unpaid volunteers. Many members volunteer their talents to schools and other organizations from time to time. However, working artists depend on income from speaking and teaching services to supplement small and sporadic income from advances and royalties. Requests for gratis presentations represent a considerable investment by a writer or illustrator. Rates of $100/hour or more are not unreasonable compensation for sharing the skills and insights acquired from decades of professional experience, so asking for the commitment of a day or more of their time can be equivalent to an $800+ donation. Please be aware of this when you approach a writer or illustrator and don't be offended if they are unable to comply with your request.

Thanks for your interest in kids and what they read! We are pleased to be partners in getting kids excited about reading, learning, and experiencing the world around them.

Illustrators Available for School Visits and Other Presentations

Lori Kiplinger Pandy, illustrator

Laugh along with Lori as she shares her journey from an ordinary six-year-old with a passion for crayons to an illustrator living out her dream, painting and sculpting from her Fort Collins, Colorado home-studio. This 30 minute PowerPoint show is packed with slides from Lori's childhood drawings through her current works today. Includes slides of her studio and funny annecdotes about working in the field of illustration with clients ranging from self-publishing authors to large educational publishers such as McGraw-Hill. This talk stresses that while talent is nice, truly hard work and persistence are the keys to success to anything in life!

This talk is geared for grades K-6 ~ lectures for older (but young at heart!) crowds and longer lectures times can be arranged.

Contact Lori through her website: www.kiplingerpandy.com

Suzanne Kita, author/illustrator

Suzanne Kita, an educator for over thirty-five years, recently became a free-lance writer. Her first book, Three Whales Who Won the Heart of the World, (grades 2 and up), is a Hawaii best-seller that has received national and local recognition, and is now available in a Japanese/English bilingual translation. The national teacher's resource, The Mailbox magazine reviewed Three Whales... in its January 1996 unit on whales. Her next children's picture book is another fiction-based-on-fact tale, Willie's Wallabies (grades 2 and up). Last fall, her first non-fiction children's book was published, The Mystery of the Anasazi at Frijoles Canyon, (grades 3 and up) a photo narrative teaching the cultural history of the Ancient Ones at Bandelier National Park in northern New Mexico. Also out in 2002 is her Videotape Your Memoirs, which can be used by mature elementary and middle/high school students as a guide for recording their family's histories.

Suzanne's visit can assume a variety of formats, ranging from intimate readings and author talks to large group slide presentations, from young writers' workshops to teachers' workshops, tailored to your needs and desires. Usual author event/ writing consultant fees are negotiable. Hourly fees are $50 - $70. Daily fees are $300 - $400, depending upon the scope of activities. Her work with students is interactive, including an 'over-and-under art' activity similar to her Three Whales... illustrations, and a 'Touch Me' tray of authentic and simulated artifacts which bring the Anasazi book explorations into the classroom. She loves to lead 'Aspiring Writers' workshops with participants of all ages. Check out her website at http://www.SuzanneKita.com or contact her at 1587 Burland Drive, Bailey, CO 80421; e-mail: kitawrites@hotmail.com.

Author of: Searching for Chipeta--the Remarkable Story of a Ute Woman, Cucumber Soup, Hiking Through Colorado History, and Illustrator of: From the Theater of My Mind -- A Collection of Children's Poetry by Frank Lloyd Kramer, Taming the Tornado Tube by Steve Spangler, as well as author of numerous articles and short stories for Highlights for Children Magazine, Wild Outdoor World, and Kid City Magazine (Children's Television Network). Vickie teaches students how to draw using her infamous ABC Draw With Me methods, other programs include the Young Authors and Illustrators Writing Program, and the Ultimate Garden Party-based on Cucumber Soup. Call: (303) 469-2223 or email Vkrudwig@aol.com or www.sweetsuccesspress.com

Cathy Morrison, illustrator

“Go for it and don’t be intimidated or discouraged”, advises award-winning illustrator Cathy Morrison to kids who want to be artists. “Always keep working to find your own style”.

Cathy's current power point presentation is based on illustrating the historical fiction Patria Press series for young readers. It gives students an idea of what the life of a children's book illustrator is really like, showing the research, drawing from reference and how an illustration starts with a rough idea and develops to the final artwork. You can get more information about these books along with teacher guides at www.patriapress.com

Cathy’s 20+ years as an artist have included graphic design, advertising, and a long career in children’s book illustration. Books featuring Cathy’s art have won numerous national awards, including the Parent’s Choice award, Independent Publisher’s Ten Most Outstanding Books in Juvenile Fiction, ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year and the National Parenting Center’s designation as Outstanding.

Go to www.CathyMorrison.com for more information or call Cathy at 720.493.1954 to schedule a visit.

You can reach him at GrahamBios@aol.com or write to: P.O. Box 399, Wellington, CO 80549-0399. Also visit http://www.biostration.com

Ravay Snow, author/illustrator

Ravay Snow is an award-winning writer, illustrator and publisher of picture books for grades K-5. Her dynamic school presentations include reading from one of her books and student art and writing exercises, along with Q&A time! Ravay’s unique status as an education expert (she formerly taught writing and holds a doctorate) and a publisher allows her to tailor school presentations to curricular needs in a variety of ways. She also has developed a book fundraising package for schools.

To contact Ravay about visiting your school, please email her at ravay@snowboundpress.com or write her at Snowbound Press, P.O. Box 698, Littleton, CO 80160.

For more information about Ravay, please check the author website at: http://www.snowboundpress.com/abt-author-rsr.html

For more information on school visits or on Snowbound Press’ school fundraising package, please access: http://www.snowboundpress.com/school-H.html