Children's stories autographed by the author make the perfect gift
My name is Kathy Pollak. I am a retired elementary school teacher with 32 years teaching experience. For two years in a row I was selected as an outstanding teacher and was included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. I love visiting schools and sharing my experience as an author and illustrator. Most kids are surprised at how much work goes into creating a book. They enjoy seeing my early drafts and rough sketches of possible illustrations for my book. Even very children benefit from the opportunity to meet with an author and learn some basics about writing and illustrating. Principals have accepted my presentation in place of the writing lesson for that day. This allows me to go to individual classes. Most schools have to double up classes for me to give my presentation to the whole school. When I finish my presentation I often hear that students are willing to consider that their writing might be improved by working on a second draft or even a third one. I leave the teacher with a visual writing prompt. The sketch shows a scene in which the children decide if it occurs at the beginning, the middle or the end of a story. They write what they feel is happening. The PTA of Plumb Elementary School in Clearwater FL invited me for a four day session. Each day consisted of presentations made to four groups of students, plus a selected group of students who ate lunch with me. One of the second grade teachers used my prompt to have her class write their own stories which they published. They enjoyed sharing their stories with me and I enjoyed their inventive responses to the prompt I do my interactive presentation with groups of up to 40 children at a time, talking about writing, illustrating and publishing. My program is best suited to K-5. I would love to visit your school and share with the children the process of writing and illustrating a book from start to finish. I have many interesting visuals (thumb nail sketches, book dummies, original art work and some rough drafts of the books) to keep the students involved and interested. Presentations take from 45 minutes to an hour. A book signing will occur on the day of the event. Schools are always looking for educational programs and ways to raise monies. Author Visits usually run several hundred dollars. I charge a nominal fee of $100.00 a school day for any school within an hour’s drive of Dunedin FL. The fee is slightly more for other parts of Florida. I do hope to sell my books. When your school sells one of my books you will receive $1.00 for each book sold.
I look forward to visiting your school and presenting a program
I also enjoy presenting to adult groups. Club and library talks are one hour including a question and answer session.
FEES
Full day program including lunch with the author
$100.00 - Location is an hour drive from Dunedin FL
$150.00 - Location is one and a half hours from Dunedin FL
Anywhere else in the state of FL and Outside of Florida email Kathy@kathypollakbooks.com
Adult groups within an hour of Dunedin $50.00 for one hour.
Contact me at Kathy@kathypollakbooks.com or 727 738-9132 to set up an appointment or if you have any questions.
School Visits
Southerland Elementary School, Palm Harbor FL
Ponce de Leon Elementary School, Clearwater FL
Kenly Elementary School, Tampa FL
McClelland Elementary School, Rochester, NH
Ponce de Leon Elementary, Author Showcase, Clearwater FL
Plumb Elementary School, Clearwater FL
New Horizons Country Day School, Palm Harbor FL
Other Visits
Oldsmar Library, Authors Night, Oldsmar FL
Testimonials
Karen Bosso, Teacher
December, 2008
Kathy Pollak came to my school Ponce de Leon Elementary last December. She read her book, The Magic Belt, to my fifth grade class and shared with the students original artwork, thumbnail sketches, early drafts of the story, a book dummy. She discussed the variety of early steps and corrections needed to get a book published. The children listened attentively and were comfortable asking questions. As a result of her visit the students were more willing to consider the editing process. Several children read her book over and over. It was a great visit that helped the students realize that writing is a difficult process for everyone, even a published author.
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Christine Roemer, New Horizons Country Day School, Palm Harbor, Florida
Spring 2008
Kathy Pollak visited my classroom just before holiday break. The students were thrilled to have a "real" author come for a visit. Kathy talked with the children about the job of an author/illustrator and the process of publishing a book. She brought original artwork, book dummies, etc. for the children to look at. The children were very comfortable asking questions and intrigued by Kathy's answers. We all enjoyed listening to Kathy read her story The Magic Belt while we sipped hot cocoa to set the mood.
Afterwards, teachers and students alike lined up to have their own copy of the book signed. Each year my students write and illustrate their own books during the second half of the school year. Kathy Pollak's visit to our classroom was the PERFECT segway into our author's workshop. Throughout the remainder of the school year, we referred back to her visit and many of the things she taught us about good writing and illustration.
I highly recommend inviting Kathy Pollak to visit your school or classroom. The personal attention from a respected author/illustrator is sure to inspire your students in the language arts classroom and beyond.
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Barbara Schuler, 4th Grade Teacher
McMullen Booth Elementary, Clearwater FL
Kathy Pollak came to McMullen Booth Elementary School last December to read a special book to my 4th grade class. She read her book, The Magic Belt, and shared with the students original artwork, thumbnail sketches, early drafts of the story, and a book dummy. The many different steps that are involved in getting a book published were explained. With the Writing FCAT being tested on the 4th grade level statewide, this was a fantastic opportunity for the children to meet a "real author" and instill a love for literature. The children loved Mrs. Pollak's presentation and were wishing she could stay longer. The students became more willing to consider the editing process with their own writings. I would highly recommend securing Kathy Pollak as a classroom guest speaker if the opportunity presents itself.
Note dated 6/1/08 from Lori Gaudreau teacher coordinator for the Student Author Night at Ponce De Leon Elementary School.
