Books   Art   Contact

Bio Activities Designs

I enjoy talking about writing and visiting schools whenever I can.  The open minds of children and the enthusiasm of their teachers always amazes me.  Several topics I cover are listed below.  All talks use either a large screen and powerpoint or overhead transparencies.  If you are interested in having me come to your school or function, please contact me for rates or more information at Leslie@helakoskibooks.com

If you'd like to sponsor an author or illustrator but don't have the means to do so, consider these two options:

  1. Selling the author's books during the visit can generate a profit.  Sponsoring schools qualify for good discounts and the savings can then be offered to attendees or used as a fund raiser to help defray speaker costs.
  2. There are various grant programs designed for school visits.  For more information see links at the bottom of this page.

Get young writers writing by inspiring them with unique ideas and approaches to getting started.  Focus can be on word choice, story or customized to meet specific needs.

 A presentation about the writing process. How books develop from creating to wading through rejections, to revisions, to working with an editor and finally to publication.

 

An interactive program that encourages students to create and challenges them to see how different artists' work affects their own.  Also covers how a book comes together and how words can paint a picture in one's head.
This talk includes reading one or two of my books along with the illustrations shown on powerpoint.  It includes songs, hand plays and activities.

Contact   Me

 

The Community Foundation, Intel Corp - http://www.leapfrogschoolhouse.com/do/listFundingSources

The Educational Enrichment Foundation offers grants that specifically support schools, libraries, and literacy (for Arizona) http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/eef/minigrants.html

School grants - a Web site that covers everything and anything about grants to support schools http://www.schoolgrants.org/Grants/nation-no_deadline.htm

The NEA (National Education Association) http://nfie.org/grants.htm

The National Book Scholarship Fund http://nbsf.org/apply.asp

How to write a Grant http://www.marcias-lesson-links.com/SoYouWantToWriteAGrant.html

Wells Fargo Charitable Contributions for Education and Educators (specify state) http://www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/index.jhtml;jession=3UU31QRASBDUDACSYBJLU5YQKDPLUUM0

Writing Links

Michigan SCBWI Web Page  (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)- http://www.kidsbooklink.org

National SCBWI - http://www.scbwi.org

The Purple Crayon - http://www.underdown.com

Children's Writer Information - http://www.write4kids.com

The Children's Book Council - http://www.cbcboooks.com