Customize your visit from these options:

author visits with Kirsten W. Larson

Meet Kirsten I used to work with rocket scientists at NASA. Now I write about rocket science — and just about any science — for kids. I’m the author of more than 25 children’s books on topics ranging from animal zombies to space robots and tsunamis. In Spring 2020, Calkins Creek will publish my debut picture book, WOOD, WIRE, WINGS, a biography of Emma Lilian Todd, the first woman to successfully design and engineer a working airplane. Illus. by Tracy Subisak.

Creating curious kids … and nurturing budding writers

The Common Core places ever-increasing demands on children to craft informational/expository texts, opinion

pieces, and narratives. Let me share my passion for science, engineering, and writing “true stories” with your

students. Find out how real authors hunt down ideas, conduct research, and craft captivating nonfiction. My most-popular assemblies and books also align with the

Next Generation Science Standards.

Assemblies 60 minutes

Workshops 45 minutes Small-group writing instruction for up to 50 students. Gr 4+

Meet & Greets 30 minutes Read aloud and Q&A for up to 50 students. Gr TK+

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9

Interactive, large group presentations for up to 500 students. All ages

AUTHOR VISITS WITH KIRSTEN W. LARSON 2018-2019

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A few of Kirsten’s Books

Freaky Nature (Amicus)

Robotics in Our World (Amicus)

Protecting Our People (Amicus)

Truth is stranger than fiction, right? Uncover real-life vampires and zombies. Learn about crazy mutations, and discover animals with amazing super powers. Pop culture tie-ins and freaky facts hook readers into learning about animal and plant science. Grade 2 and up

Our world is filled with even more robots than we think! Readers can

explore the various roles that robots have from helping us explore space to deliver

packages. Take a sneak peek into the future of robotics in our world! Grade 2 and up

What does it take to serve our country and protect our people? What does the U.S. Secret Service really do? Could you be an FBI agent some day? Learn about the important service men and women in these jobs do to keep people safe. Grade 2 and up

AUTHOR VISITS WITH KIRSTEN W. LARSON 2018-2019

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Rates and Programs

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of Lancaster, CA only, includes book signing….$350

Please note: All full-day and half-day programs

must occur at the same location/school site.

Ask about multi-day discounts, as well as free Skype visits as part of World Read Aloud Day.

Need help funding your visit?

• Apply for SCBWI’s Amber Brown Grant

• Host a Barnes and Noble Bookfair

• Work with local booksellers or my publishers to defray costs through book sales

• Request funds from local Friends of the Library, Kiwanis, Rotary etc.

Featured Presentation “Find Your Super Power in Books”

This interactive presentation features my book SUPER POWERS IN NATURE. Student volunteers dress up in superhero costumes to act out superhero-like animal adaptations featured in the book. We’ll go behind the pages to talk about research and uncover fascinating facts that didn’t make the final cut. Plus I’ll share my journey to becoming “Wonder Writer,” a writer of all the wonders in our amazing world.

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Full-day program (approx. 5 hours total

programming) Choose 2-3 large group assemblies plus a mix of writers’ workshops and classroom “meet and greets” to round out your schedule. Or choose up to 5 single-class writers’ workshops. I am happy to help you design a program to meet your needs.

….$800 plus travel expenses

Half-day program (approx. 3 hours total

programming; within 60 mi. of Lancaster, CA only). Includes 1-2 large group assemblies plus your choice of writers’ workshops and classroom “meet and greets” to round out the schedule. ….$500

Single large-group presentation– within 60 mi.

AUTHOR VISITS WITH KIRSTEN W. LARSON 2018-2019

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Sample Contract Thank you for booking a school visit! Please verify and complete the following information, sign, and send this form back to me via creatingcuriouskids@gmail.com SCHOOL NAME: DATE OF VISIT: ___________ VISIT START TIME: ________________VISIT END TIME: ______________ SCHOOL ADDRESS: _________________________________ SCHOOL TELEPHONE: _______________________________ TEACHER’S/ORGANIZER’S NAME(s): ________________

CONTACT CELL PHONE: _____________ EMAIL: ______________________

Event Schedule: (To be agreed upon in advance.) BY SIGNING THIS CONTRACT, THE SCHOOL OR HOSTING ORGANIZATION AGREES TO:

• List the author visit on the school/organization calendar and/or website. • Send a note to parents/members about the upcoming visit with an invitation to purchase

books. (NOTE: I will help find a local bookseller to partner with or put you in touch with my publishers if you prefer to sell books on your own to defray costs of the visit.)

• Get students/teachers/attendees for the visit by sharing Kirsten’s biographical information with them, reading the books/stories in class or during library time, preparing possible questions for her, considering related art and writing projects. Find info. at kirsten-w-larson.com.

• Email proposed schedule/itinerary for the visit as soon as possible, including grade levels for each presentation/classroom visit.

• For assemblies, provide a screen for PowerPoint presentation, as well as sound and projection system with connection for author’s laptop or existing computer with thumb drive.

• Provide microphone for large room/assembly setting. • Provide small table for props during assemblies. • Provide water and lunch for full-day visits. School lunch and dining with faculty/students is

great! • Provide a designated parking space. • Help on the day of the visit by monitoring the students’ behavior during presentations.

THE AUTHOR WILL PROVIDE: PowerPoint presentation on laptop, handouts and materials required for writers’ workshops and class meet and greets, book sale flyer. BOOK SALES INFORMATION Author will provide a template or flyer for school to use for handling book sales. Author will personalize each school’s forms with dates and information needed.

AUTHOR VISITS WITH KIRSTEN W. LARSON 2018-2019

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Sample Contract con’t

Book orders must be submitted by the deadline designated on the form in order to have them available at the event. If child’s name is provided on the order form, Author will sign the book, inscribed to the child. EVENT HONORARIUM PLUS TRAVEL (To be agreed upon in advance.) Check made payable to: Kirsten W. Larson due at time of event

1. RESCHEDULING: Please give a month’s notice for changes of date or time of the event. If rescheduling is due to last-minute weather, natural disaster, author’s illness, or other acts of God, the visit will be rescheduled at a time and date agreeable to by both parties. If the appearance is rescheduled by the sponsor for any other reason, sponsor will be charged for expenses incurred to date, including airfare change fees and cost adjustments when applicable.

2. CANCELLATION: If the visit is cancelled and sponsor chooses not to reschedule, author will be paid for visit-related expenses incurred to date, including but not limited to non-refundable airfare and other travel expenses.

3. VIDEOTAPING Still photos are fine. However, I respectfully request that you do not make or post audio or video recordings of my presentations. Contact me if you have questions or a special request.

4. LATE PAYMENTS: Payments are due in full the day of the author appearance. Late payment fees of 15% will accrue monthly, beginning the day after the scheduled appearance.

School or District Representative Sign and Date Below: Signed: __________________________________ Date: _______________

Ready to Book? Please schedule your school visit at least six weeks in advance of your preferred date. Contact Kirsten at creatingcuriouskids@gmail.com to check availability, discuss your customized program, and confirm fees. Please be prepared to furnish the details required in the sample contract. Important: Dates are not confirmed until the contract has been signed.