SCHOOL VISITS 


Hello! Want me to visit your school? I'd love to come!

 

Program: How Books are Made!


~ 45 minutes


K-5th grade

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In this program, get an inside peek at the creative process of how a picture book is made: from brainstorming ideas to picking just the right words, to drawing sketches and final art. Students learn the re-writing process, and how art develops from tiny little scribbles to the finished work you see on the page. Students will see a short painting demo and play a fun interactive drawing game!

 

• 

Reading of one of my books

• 
Look at first drafts and book dummies


• Revising and re-writing!


• The sketch to painting to book process


• A painting demonstration

• 
An engaging participatory drawing game


• Q & A / Signed books




 

Program: Picture Books, Graphic Novels and Film: The Art of Storytelling


~ 45 minutes


2nd-5th grade



 

For this visit I discuss different forms of sequential storytelling: from picture books to graphic novels to movies! We will talk about story arc and writing, and re-writing! We talk about storyboarding for movies and how it’s similar to books! We will look at visual storytelling and how shot design (or composition) changes the story. We will also engage in a collaborative storytelling exercise to create our own 4 panel comic.



 

• Forms of sequential art: picture books, graphic novels, and films


• How to write a screenplay / GN manuscript


• Revising and re-writing!


• Discussion of shot design and film/comics vocabulary


• Visual Storytelling: how we understand pictures

• A collaborative storytelling exercise


• Q & A / Signed books



 

Storytelling Workshop: You’ve Got a Story to Tell!


~ 1 hr


3rd-5th grade


Requires supplies for each child: clipboards (or desks/tables), and pencils.

Works best with a smaller group of 1-2 classes.



 

Hands-on workshop discussing the elements of story: character, setting, and plot. We discuss story arc, and basic storyboarding techniques and visual techniques for showing the story visually as well as verbally. Students plan and create their own 4 page story during the workshop.




 

Teacher In-Services:

I've also done teacher trainings where I discuss the role of the writer and artist, as well as how creators use mentor texts, and how to use them in the classroom or with a writing/drawing club to encourage young authors and illustrators!



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School Visit Fees


In-Person:


Full day: Up to 3 sessions: $850


Half day: 2 sessions: $550





Virtual Visits:


Full day: 3 sessions $700

2 sessions: $480

1 session: $250



 

*In-person visits are within the greater DFW area and north of Dallas. Additional info for longer travel available upon request.  



 

Please contact me at Jen dot betton at gmail dot com to schedule a visit or for more information!



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Tight budget? More information on funding a school visit here.



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Book Orders:
Personalized, signed books can be ordered through Jen's local bookstore, Interabang Books, or through Express Booksellers. The school is welcome to acquire the books from any source they choose, but these are suppliers Jen recommends. Jen provides the book forms. Once the orders are complete and book forms have been returned, Jen can visit the bookstore to personalize the books, and bring them with her for the visit, or the supplier will ship them to your school at no additional cost.

Jule Maxwell
Express Booksellers
expressbooksellers.com/
Jule@expressbooksellers.com

Interabang Books
5600 W. Lovers Lane, Suite 142
Dallas, TX 75209
interabangbooks.com

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More information on book orders for school visits here.


If you are a Title 1 school, Jen participates in World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) and is happy to do a virtual read-aloud with your school when she books those presentations!