[Pam Posts: 1,298 Status: Offline Brianna Bright, Ballerina Knight, 6-5-18 WWW]

Hey, all! I just posted a tiny tip for all you picture book authors doing school visits. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy. Hope to do another PBU post next week.

Happy Halloween! :

http://wwwpamcalvert.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-rumpelstiltskin-puppet-and-school.html

[SYoon Posts: 675 Status: Offline Novelty and Picture Books WWW]

Wow, Pam,... your puppet is AMAZING! I wish I could see it come to life!

I have lots of scheduled readings/signings coming up at B&N stores, so I am grateful for any tips I can get and offer one myself! I didn't want to do a boring reading... so instead, I am going to have kids act out the story of PENGUIN AND PINECONE with volunteers from the young audience to make the experience truly engaging and fun.

I'm making the costumes myself, (my mother knitted all the necessary orange scarves), and I just ordered a Penguin costume for the starring role. I'm making kid-sized tree costumes, and made additional props to include more children. (I'll need 7 kid-volunteers in total, 1 speaking role). I totally agree that spicing up a reading with props and such will captivate the audience more than a traditional reading with just a book or Powerpoint! 

I have no idea how it'll go, since this isn't something I can rehearse! Each set of kids will make the play unique.... and keep it interesting for me as well if I continue to do this. Also, if you're shy like me, this is ideal since all eyes will be on the kid-actors. I will be the reader and narrator, so I'm practically invisible!  :paperbag

Any other engaging and interactive ideas to share your book (at school, bookstore, library, or book festival event)?

[koozoo Posts: 84 Status: Offline Writing=Breathing! WWW]

A truly inspired and stunning puppet and school presentation plan!

Kudos!

[DianaM Posts: 968 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

Love that puppet, Pam! Thanks for the great tips.

And Salina, that sounds so fun!

[Pam Posts: 1,298 Status: Offline Brianna Bright, Ballerina Knight, 6-5-18 WWW]

Thanks, ladies!!!

Salina--that sounds great! The kids will love it. I'd love to see pics of your cute kids all dressed up!

 I do something similar with my Princess Peepers program. I do another Princess Peepers story (outlining parts of a story throughout for educational value) and use four kids with costumes. They act out their parts while I tell the story. I also use an adult volunteer and make him a fairy princess (it has to be a guy). It's really funny. If you can use an adult in a funny way, kids love that, too.

[SYoon Posts: 675 Status: Offline Novelty and Picture Books WWW]

Pam... I can totally see how performing your story (with a guy-fairy) would be hysterical!!! My story is not funny. It's more awww-inducing, heartwarming, that sort of thing. I can't write funny! I'm always in awe of those that can!! But great tip to bring in an adult in my skit. I have one---but I was going to play Grandpa. Perhaps I'll seek out a grown-up instead! 

Sounds like you really have a ball at your presentations! I'm still more nerves than having fun... but it's getting easier after every event!

[Pam Posts: 1,298 Status: Offline Brianna Bright, Ballerina Knight, 6-5-18 WWW]

It will get easier once you get the hang of it. I've had a lot of years to fine tune my programs. Lots of struggles in the beginning to see what kids respond to. HA! But you're an illustrator. All you need to do is whip out a whiteboard and do some quick sketches and you'll have them eating out of your hands!!! <3

[Alison A Posts: 359 Status: Offline Writing! WWW]

Excellent posts here! IMHO, any kind of audience participation is key for a great PB presentation.
I always get the principal or tallest teacher at my school visits to "act" as the tiny fish when I'm sharing THESE SEAS COUNTS! or to be the tiny flower "dancing in the wind" in my BEES COUNT! "skit." Always gets big laughs from the students.

Salina, your penguin skit will be a hit, I'm sure.