FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:
School & Library Visits
I strive to engage kids in a natural, spirited and honest dialogue about writing and the writing life. My goal is to leave them energized with expanded knowledge about writing and its many rewards and about themselves and their world.
Generally, visits tend to settle into the following topics and age groups, but I’m always happy to accommodate whatever particular interest you might have.
And Here’s to the Animals
(Grades K-3)
Using the verses in either And Here’s to You! or In the Wild as a model, I lead children in a guided writing exercise. Along the way we talk about rhyming, rhythm, descriptive language and poetic structure. With any luck, together we end up with an original animal poem.
Cool Crazy Crickets
(Grades 2-3)
Using my early chapter book series that includes The Cool Crazy Crickets Club and The Cool Crazy Crickets to the Rescue, I will discuss the creation of a cast of characters is very much like building a club (a cool crazy one). Together, your readers and I will create an additional character for the series building on what we know of the other Crickets.
Creating Credible and Cunning Characters
(Grades 3-5)
I discuss the real and imagined people and incidents that went into the creation of his character, Roscoe from the chapter book, The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle. I then discuss how those inspirations evolved into the character the reader meets on the page. Together, your readers and I create an additional character for the book building on name, clothing, temperament, and other madcap traits.
Synchronizing Sentences of Synonyms
(Grades 4-5)
Lexi, one of the secondary characters in my middle grade novel, Jeremy Cabbage and the Museum of Human Oddballs and Quadruped Delights is a veritable fountain of language. “‘My appellation, if you will . . .’ the man continued. ‘My moniker , if you won’t, my name, if you must . . .is Alexander. However, my friends, my pals, my chums, my intimates, my buddies, comrades, and amigos, which you will most certainly be principal, preeminent, paramount and primary among, are free to use my sobriquet . . .my cognomen . ..my diminutive . . .in short, young sir, my nickname, Lexi.’ ” Whew! Unlike Lexi, every writer knows that choosing the right word contributes far more to meaning than the number of words she uses. In a lively, interactive classroom exercise, I will sensitize young writers to this important concept.
Starting Somewhere in the Middle
(Grade 6-7)
“‘He’ll do,’ the woman said, pointing at Jeremy.”
So begins, my novel Jeremy Cabbage and the Museum of Human Oddballs and Quadruped Delights. But who was speaking? How old was she? Blonde or brunette? And to whom? And where is this conversation taking place? In a laundromat in Paris? A park in Chicago? The hold of a cargo ship chugging toward Pago-Pago? In media res. Starting smack dab in the middle of the things. This is a technique writers have used for centuries, and one which I will demonstrate in a classroom exercise meant to help young writers get off to an exciting start, one that will not only hook the reader, but will also help the writer to understand and develop her material.
Testimonials
“David Elliott was delightful. He was deeply engaged in teaching the craft of writing to our students through an entire day of classes. He brought the group writing experience to an exciting pitch while never losing control of the classroom. The student enjoyed themselves immensely. There was laughter and good writing all around.” –Kathy Hanley, Longfellow School, Portland Maine.
FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART:
Library & Conference Presentations
Curiously, I’ve discovered that adults are often interested in the same subjects as the children they care for, so my presentations to older audiences are often similar to those for younger people. If, however, teachers, parents or librarians are interested in specific presentations, here are a couple of my favorites. I’m always happy, too, to tailor a talk to whatever topic you might be interested in.
How Scrooge McDuck Changed My Life
Inspiration. Where does it come from? A classic book. Yes. A trip to the museum. Sure. Opera. Why not? But it can also from a milk carton, a tabloid, a television commercial. This talk, itself inspired by Peter Dickinson’s wonderful essay, “In Defense of Rubbish” encourages anyone who puts books in the hands of children to have faith in both the child and the book, and illustrates that no matter what the child is reading, from the ridiculous to the sublime, from Captain Underpants to The Secret Garden, good, even great things can come of it.
I Love Libraries or Why I Became a Writer
This talk is an homage to a place where I spent many hours as a young person, the public library of my childhood. Its purpose is to thank librarians for the vital, often forgotten work they do, and to demonstrate that though we are living in a time when budgets are being slashed, the work they do can change a young person’s life.
It’s in the Language
A few years ago, just after the publication of her novel, Heir to the Glimmering World, novelist Cynthia Ozick pointed out that the life of a novel is in the language. This workshop, appropriate for both teachers of literature and would be writers, demonstrates Ozick’s important point by looking closely at four novels for young people: Carolyn Coman’s What Jamie Saw; Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting; M. T. Anderson’s Feed; and Lia Francesca Block’s The Hanged Man
Testimonials
“David Elliott was a featured speaker at the NH Library Conference in 2009. He talked about the influence of public libraries on his life and on his decision to become a writer. In a packed room of primarily children’s librarians, David amused and inspired everyone present with his moving story. His warm and easy manner captivated the audience who responded with lots of questions and comments. His program earned rave reviews from conference attendees, many of whom cited it as their favorite presentation at the event.
David Elliott was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He responded promptly to all communications and was flexible about arrangements. He connects easily with people and makes them feel appreciated. I cannot recommend him more highly as a speaker.” –Ann Hoey, Youth Services Coordinator, NH State Library
“Your enthusiasm and support for good literature was evident as you spoke of the many ways to look at children’s books. When you were leaving that night, I had three “seasoned” early care educators come up to me and tell me that they were so moved by your talk that it has motivated them to take a second look at themselves and how they present literature to young children…Three Cheers to YOU!” –Lyn Smith, Education Director, Maine Roads to Quality
BOOKING
If you should have any questions regarding a school visit, a writing workshop or a speaking engagement, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’lll put you in touch with my booking agent, Kirsten Cappy at Curious City.