Interested In A Visit?

Here is some basic information:

The Program

For my presentation, I will read one of my books and explain the process of how a book is made. I will show original and edited manuscripts, character sketches, galleys, proofs, and original artwork so that students can see all the pieces that go into creating a book. I will discuss where ideas come from and I will talk about the writing process and the importance of rewriting and editing (because most people don’t get things exactly right the first time!) I will discuss how the author’s and the illustrator’s visions may be very much the same or very different, and will show examples of both from my work. (How much detail I go into, or whether I even discuss all of these topics, depends on the age and interest of the students.)

I have a Phyllis puppet, so Punxsutawney Phyllis is particularly suited to audience participation and entertainment. (Phyllis likes to sing and has made up her own song about Groundhog Day!) This makes an especially great visit around Groundhog Day, but kids enjoy it year round.

I have supplemental materials available including coloring pages and paper doll kits for the kids, and ideas teachers can use in conjunction with my books. Please click here for those resources.

Curriculum Subject Areas-

1. Animals and Nature
   

2. Careers
   

3. Family
   

4. Fiction
   

5. Groundhog Day
   

6. Seasons
   

7. Sequencing
   

8. Weather
   

9. Writing
   

image © Jeffrey Ebbeler

Previous Visits include:

Astor Day, Wappingers Falls, NY

Beekman Elementary School, Poughquag, NY

Brendon Montessori, LaGrangeville, NY

Brick Church Nursery School, New York City

Chancellor Livingston Elementary School, Rhinebeck, NY

Christ Church Nursery School, Pawling, NY

Christ Church Nursery School, New York, NY

Collegiate School, New York, NY

Dutchess Day School, Millbrook, NY

Edward J. Russell Elementary School, Pine Bush, NY

Elm Drive Elementary School, Millbrook, NY

Funshine Nursery School, Red Hook, NY

Kinry Road Middle School, Poughkeepsie, NY

LaGrange Elementary School, LaGrangeville, NY

Lincoln Avenue Elementary School, Pearl River, NY

Livingston Manor Central School, Livingston Manor, NY

Methodist Play School, New Paltz, NY

Millbrook Community Preschool, Millbrook, NY

Mill Road Elementary School, Red Hook, NY

North Park Elementary School, Hyde Park, NY

Noxon Road Elementary School, Poughkeepsie, NY

Pakanasink Elementary School, Pine Bush, NY

Poughkeepsie Day School, Poughkeepsie, NY

Ralph R. Smith Elementary School, Hyde Park, NY

Sherman School, Sherman, CT

Stanford Nursery School, Stanfordville, NY

St. Bernards School, New York City

St. Joseph's School, Millbrook, NY

Town Hill School, Lakeville, CT

Traver Road Elementary School, Pleasant Valley, NY

Vail Farm Elementary School, LaGrangeville, NY

Vassar Road Elementary School, Poughkeepsie, NY

Teacher and Librarian Comments:

"Outstanding job! Thank you!"

⎯M. O'Shea, Librarian, Lincoln Avenue Elementary School

"Your reading and presentation left the children excited about their own writing. Thank you for helping our school create life-long learners. We are looking forward to next year."

⎯S. Ljutich, D. Allen, M. Boyd - Kindergarten Teachers, Mill Road Elementary School

"We all enjoyed your visit and hope you will come again in the future. We certainly recommend you to other schools."

⎯C. Campbell, Director, Brendon Montessori School

"The boys loved your new book [Punxsutawney Phyllis] and were excited to hear all about how authors write. You were a hit! We can't wait to look out for even more of your books in the future. Thanks again for such a great visit."

⎯D. Berlin, First Grade Teacher,St. Bernards School

"You held the kids spellbound and the adults were fascinated as well. Thanks so much!"

⎯R. Ketchum, Librarian, Town Hill School

"Thank you for visiting us! It was enjoyed by all. The teachers had very positive comments and appreciated the autographed copy of Phyllis to share with their classes. It was great to see you and Phyllis interact with the children and demonstrate the joy of using your imagination to create stories. You were entertaining and encouraging to our young writers.I would definitely recommend ⎯M. Berner, SLMS Noxon Road Elementary

Student Comments

"My favorite part of No Sword Fighting In The House was when the two boys got busted. I like that part because it is very funny. It was the very very best story I ever had listened to. That was an awesome book."

⎯Emily R., 2nd Grade

"I love the story Punxsutawney Phyllis. I love the groundhog. Good thinking! I loved the story No Sword Fighting In The House. Good story!"

⎯Angelina, 2nd Grade

"That book [No Sword Fighting In The House] was so good. I liked it. It was funny. Thank you for coming to our school. Thank you for letting me touch the groundhog. She was funny and soft too."

⎯Madison, 2nd Grade

Students at Elm Drive Elementary made groundhog pictures and added their predictions about what would happen on Groundhog Day!

All written content copyright © Susanna Leonard Hill, 2010. Site Designed by Donna Farrell

All rights reserved. All artwork is copyrighted by artist/illustrator and is noted within site pages.

Fees

Please contact me to discuss fees by going to the contact page on the toolbar above.

Willing to Travel

Dutchess and surrounding counties in New York (up to 100 mile radius of the Millbrook/ Poughkeepsie area)

Western Connecticut

Perhaps other places. Please ask!

Preferred Audience

Nursery/ PreSchool

Kindergarten

Elementary Grades 1-3

Preferred Venue

Classroom or Library

Small groups

Medium groups

To Arrange Booking

Please contact me by going to the contact page on the toolbar above.

I have supplemental materials available for the students, and ideas teachers can use in conjunction with my books. Please

click here

for those resources.

Book Activities

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