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Mike Artell - Children's Author, Cartoonist, Musician
School Library Visits: Engaging Author Presentations
FAQs
How much will this cost?
The short answer is $1500 plus travel (from New Orleans), lodging, and meal expenses for in-person school visits. Tight budget? Mike suggests that two nearby schools partner to share the day (and the expenses). Mike typically conducts three presentations per day. If you have special requests or concerns, please let Mike know. Mike also offers family presentations and professional development workshops for teachers as a renowned children's book author.
For a more flexible option, Mike provides a 45-minute virtual visit with schools for $250. The group size is up to you and only limited by your streaming capacity. Participants can expect to see some creepy bug pictures, enjoy jokes, riddles, and tongue twisters, draw cartoons together, and listen to Mike read from one of his Cajun books using his authentic Cajun accent. It's guaranteed to be tons of fun!
What age groups can benefit from Mike's author presentations?
Mike typically visits PreK - 5 or PreK - 6 schools, but it's common for him to engage with Jr. High or even High School students as well.
What can schools expect during Mike's presentations?
Mike begins his session with a PowerPoint presentation showcasing photos of himself, his family, and his hometown. He then presents engaging images from his non-fiction science books and challenges the kids with playful word games from his joke, riddle, and tongue twister collections. Plus, Mike reads from one or more of his Cajun books with his authentic accent.
Depending on the audience, Mike might involve the kids in interactive 'brain games' or explain the different types of writing he does (fiction, non-fiction, biographies, advertising copywriting, greeting cards, etc.).
The highlight of Mike's author presentations is always the step-by-step cartooning instructions. He teaches every student (and teacher) how to create great little cartoons and demonstrates how they can enhance reading, writing, and thinking skills. EVERYONE DRAWS ALONG - from little kids to big kids and even teachers.
Finally (if time permits), Mike concludes with a Q&A session and some music. Having played music professionally since his teenage years, he loves getting kids singing, moving, and he might even invite someone from the audience to dance with him...
Will Mike have books available for sale and autographs?
That's up to you. It's not necessary, but if you want to have books available, you can order directly from Mike, from a local bookseller, or from the publishers. If you order directly from Mike, he'll send you 5 - 8 sample books and an order form. Display the books in your library and take orders while collecting payments. Once all orders are in, email the names of the children/adults ordering the books, the titles being requested, and the names of the child's teachers. Mike will autograph EVERY book and personalize it with the child's name (or whatever name is specified on the order). He’ll also draw a small cartoon in each book. After signing, Mike will ship the books to you ahead of his visit. Note that while no discounts are available, you may keep the sample books as Mike's gift. Payment can be made via check sent to Mike or upon his arrival at your school.
Questions? Concerns? Email Mike at mike@mikeartell.com for more info.
MIKE'S THOUGHTS ON REACHING RELUCTANT WRITERS
"Good writing is the result of good thinking. It doesn't happen accidentally. The main reason why so many kids are reluctant writers is because they are overwhelmed by the process. The way to address this is to have them write a lot...but to write things that are short, fun and relevant. And for your visual thinkers, it's important to tie-in the visuals - because a large portion of their thinking is done in pictures."