I am available for school visits, conferences, workshops and readings. My programs draw upon my wide experience as an artist and an author/illustrator. A workshop on writing and illustrating is also available. 

When I write and illustrate a book, I offer my readers a kind of contract:I will deliver a story. I feel being a teaching artist is a way of extending that contract with my readers. It is a chance for me to provide a deeper understanding of the process and value of creating a book. And it is an oppurtunity for me to connect with my readers in a way that engages us in an understanding and discussion of pictures and words.

I have written and illustrated over 13 books. My ability to use language and images to tell a young audience a story also enables me to communicate my ideas and vision in a way that is accessible to both younger and older groups.

School visits have always been a part of my 20+ year career as a children's book author/illustrator. I have honed and refined my visits over the years, moved from slides to Power Points, but I am still talking the same talk about art, stories, pictures and, life. I ahve given my presentations to at-risk students in inner cities schools, to students in private and suburban schools, to students in small rural communities, to service groups, librarians, reading and TOESL teachers, and I always find an audience ready and eager to learn about art and words. I like to emphasize the courage it takes to face a blank sheet of paper, the perserverance and will needed to overcome rejection, and the joy that comes with spending a lifeteime trying to make books that mean something. Whereever I go, whatever the group has been, I have found an eager audience.

I am interested in one-day school visits. Traditionally, a children's book  author/illustrator's school visit consists of a presentation of her books and work and a discussion of her creative process. This is typically followed by a question and answer period. I offer schools and other venues the option of choosing a workshop and/or an enhanced book reading, or a targeted presentation in addition to the classic presentation of my work. In addition, schools can schedule a book signing and a lunch witha selected group of students interested in  books, writing and art.

For more school visit information, to schedule dates or query fees, please contact me through my contact form

Coming!

School Visits Downloads : A Sample Michelle Edwards School Visit Schedule

Michelle Edwards Booklist

How to Order Michelle 's books