TESTIMONIALS

“Lydia was captivating! The students were immediately engrossed in her interactive presentation. With over 200 kids, Lydia began the creative thinking process by encouraging the student’s to work together and brainstorm. The entire day was full of creative thinking and Lydia truly motivated the student’s to think independently, write, and draw.  In individual classrooms, Lydia taught a fabulous mini-lesson. My student’s outlined a new BeBa story and everyone had the opportunity to participate. Two weeks later, the students are still working on BeBa projects, from clay models, to illustration, to full, new BeBa stories.  I highly recommend this workshop as a stepping stone for the children’s writing process. It is the perfect bridge to take students from writing about their own life activities to writing with more enthusiasm and imagination.” – Linda Hudacsko, First Grade Teacher Bridgewater, New Jersey

“Lydia is like a movie star to the kids. She is the perfect role model and genuinely inspirational.” – Sheri Weinman, Colorado Parent, mother of author Logan Weinman

“What a spectacular day we had on February 16!  Your presentation to our students was not only perfectly aligned with our writing workshop curriculum, but our students were enthralled by your book, your stories about your grandfather, and your life as an author…The children will remember the laughter and the fun and they will remember the lessons you taught about pursuing your dream, working hard at your craft, sharing your love for stories.” – Lauren Schwatz, Teaching Specialist

“Lydia Griffin is a very energetic and reflective new educational professional—she exhibits strong personal and communicative skills and has demonstrated a great willingness to learn about emergent readers and writers. These are positive assets for any author and presenter. It is with complete personal and professional confidence that I recommend Lydia Griffin for literacy engagements in any elementary setting.” – Lorraine H. Lotowycz, Ed.D.

K-3

My presentation per classroom is just under one hour long. It is an interactive program that educates, inspires, and entertains the children. I start by reading my new book BeBa and the Curious Creature Catchers. I then ask the students a series of question which are based on the book but allow them to answer with personal stories and anecdotes.

From there, I elaborate on the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing. I bring props and show-and-tell type items. I want to encourage everyone to have confidence and take risks. All authors and illustrators need to have ambition. I teach them about what ambition can do for them. I help remind them that a writer does not have to be an illustrator to produce a children's book. And an illustrator does not have to be a writer in order to produce children's book illustrations. I emphasize the benefits of team work, developing personal talents, and focusing on ambition.

Finally, as a group, we brainstorm and write a new BeBa story. Usually, I ask the teacher if the students would complete one illustration from the book as homework or in-class project. I then leave a self-addressed envelop and ask the teacher to send me the completed illustrations. I post them on my web site a few weeks later. The classroom can visit their page, read their story, and see their art work online at www.bebastories.com.

4-6

For the older students, I modify the program slightly by reading the story and then moving directly into writing a new one. I ask them more general questions about what makes a good story and explain how to create a brand and a merchandisable character. I focus more on the editing process and how many drafts it takes to create one story. I speak to them more along the lines of friends and ask for their help in developing better stories myself. If time allows, I ask them to create a character of their own. If a student is a good illustrator, then draw the character. If the student is good with words, they can describe the character in as much detail as possible. Then, each student shares their character with the class.

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Illustration courtesy Judith Hunt

©2008 Lydia Griffin