New Mexico State Library

This list is designed to introduce librarians to children’s and young adult authors, poets, and illustrators who offer workshops and performances in New Mexico school and public libraries.

If you know of additional authors or poets to include in this guide, please contact Beth Crist at 800-340-3890 or beth.crist@state.nm.us.

Note: This list is provided for your information only. The performers listed in this directory are not endorsed by the New Mexico State Library, the Department of Cultural Affairs, or any of its employees. Fees, performances, and availability subject to change.

Malin Alegria
malinalegria@gmail.com
Website: www.malinalegria.com

Titles:

• Estrella's Quinceañera
• Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico
• Quince Crashers
• Leti's Shoe Escandalo

Awards/Honors:

• 2008 San Francisco Library Laureate
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age 2008
• Voted 2008 Top Ten Authors to Watch and Read by LatinoStories.com

Interest areas: Storytelling, author talks, creative writing, inspiration

Description of presentations:

• Book Presentations: 20 minute reading and 20 minute Q&A
• Workshops: 1 hour 30 minutes

Previous relevant experience:

Performed for schools, teachers, librarian conferences since 2006 all across the United States. I've been an educator working with all ages for over 10 years. I have a background in theater and enjoy inspiring young people to follow their dreams.

Fees/travel costs:

Within the Albuquerque area, I'll perform for $100, if the school/institution will purchase a class set of books. Throughout New Mexico, my rate is $500/day (which includes travel and hotel). This includes up to three 1-hour presentations or 1 presentation and 1 workshop.

Organization:
SCBWI

Antoinette Austin
Little Lobo Books
505-859-5842
jantbo4@yahoo.com
http://littlelobobooks.com/Welcome_to_LittleLoboBooks.com.html

Title:

• The Little Lobo Who Lost His Howl, written in both English and Spanish in a flip book style.

Interest area: Storytelling

Previous experience: I have read at a few elementary schools in and around Albuquerque and I have scheduled some library readings for story time.

Fees/travel costs: I am open to travel anywhere and cost is negotiable and/or donations for travel is fine.
 

Kathy Barco
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System
Home: 12005 Calle Zagal NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505) 296-3588
barcok@newmexico.com
Work: Taylor Ranch Branch, A/BCLS 5700 Bogart St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120  kbarco@cabq.gov
Website: www.kathybarco.com
Titles:

• Breakfast Santa Fe Style – A Dining Guide to Fancy, Funky and Family Friendly Restaurants (co-authored with Valerie Nye)
• READiscover New Mexico – A Tri-Lingual Adventure in Literacy

Awards/honors:

• 2006 Leadership Award, New Mexico Library Association
• Breakfast Santa Fe Style is one of four finalists in the Best Travel/Guide Book category of the NM Book Awards (winners to be announced November 9, 2007

Interest areas: Children’s Librarianship; Booktalking

Description of presentations:
I would be happy to come to your school or library for in-service programs for teachers or librarians, and I do author visits as well. Topics include:

• READiscover New Mexico in the Classroom – Choose from a variety of fun activities: License Plate Literacy; Math with Biscochita’s Recipe Roundup; Coelophysis – Our Official State Fossil; New Mexico Jeopardy and Riddles; How to Make Star-O-Litos; and more!
• Breakfast Santa Fe Style – Find out where to eat breakfast in Santa Fe, plus hear insider information on becoming a published author and learning the fine art of marketing and promotion.
• Booktalking – The Humane Alternative to Book Reports This program is based on my course offered by the UNM Division of Continuing Education in Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.
• Thinking Inside the Box – Maximizing Your Display Case Learn some new techniques for creating fabulous and fascinating displays.

Previous experience:

• Children’s Librarian, A/BCLS 1996-2001; Youth Services Coordinator, New Mexico State Library, 2001-2006; Children’s Librarian, A/BCLS, 2006 – present.
• I have given presentations at ALA; NMLA; MPLA (Mountain Plains Library Association); the University of Southern Mississippi’s Children’s Book Festival; Zia Elementary School (Albuquerque); and public school librarians’ meetings in Las Cruces, Espanola, Albuquerque, and Belen.
• Upcoming presentations include Pecos Valley Council of NM IRA Mini-Conference in Dexter, Nov 3, 2007; University of Mississippi’s Children’s Book Festival, April 2 – 4, 2008.

Fee/travel costs: Negotiable.

Organizations:

• New Mexico Library Association
• New Mexico Book Coop

Rex Barron
6349 Admiral Rickover Dr., NE 
Albuquerque, NM, 87111
505 822 9962
rexart@msn.com
Websites:

• www.rexbarron.com
• www.author-illustr-source.com/rexbarron.htm

Titles:

• Eggbert, the Slightly Cracked Egg (illustrator), G.P. Putnam's sons, 1994
• The Big Bug Ball (illustrator), G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999
• Showdown At The Food Pyramid (author/illustrator), G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004
• Fed Up! A Feast of Frazzled Foods (author/illustrator), G.P).Putnam's Sons, 2000
• The Wild Bunch (illustrator) G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1997

Awards/Honors:

• Big Bug Ball named an I.R.A. "Children's Book Choice" for 1999
• Wild Bunch included in Society of Illustrators' "Originals" show 1997
• Eggbert translated into Danish and Swedish

Interest areas: Storytelling, music, demonstrating process of illustration

Description of presentation:
With copious examples--from beginning thumbnails to final art-- while mixing music, humor, and storytelling, the process of illustrating a book is shown.  Rex places special emphasis on character design, and the back and forth relationship the artist has with his/her art director and editor. The presentation includes reading through one or two of Rex's books on slides. A unique musical intro and finale on folk guitar make for a show that is informative, entertaining, and memorable. (30-50 minutes, depending on grade level)

Previous experience:
For over ten years, Rex has presented to schools throughout New Mexico, the U.S., and many members of the European Council of International Schools, along with several Dept. of Defense Dependents' Schools in Germany.  In the 1980s, he worked for eleven years in the animation studios of Los Angeles, on various television and film projects, including Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Pink Panther, and others.

Fee:
Within New Mexico, $90/session (no more than three sessions per day), plus travel expenses, if necessary. Outside New Mexico, $450/day (three sessions), plus travel expenses.

Katie Beatty
Organization: John's Shelf
PO Box 617, Fruitland, NM 87416
kidzwriter53@yahoo.com
Titles:

• “Wagon Day” (Poem, Magazine)
• “Yellow Dog Bites the Bullet” (Short Story, Magazine)

Description of presentation(s):

• Talking with students about the author's son, John, and the role story, specifically the saga, Beowulf, played in John's fight and victory over bone cancer.
• Sharing pictures of John's Shelf and the UNMCH infusion center where the shelf is located as well as asking the students to finish furnished bookmarks with messages to the children who will receive the books. 
• Every new book donated is given away to a child fighting cancer at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital. Through your school's participation in a book drive for John's Shelf, students learn about childhood cancer, have the opportunity to make a difference in another child's life, and pass on the gift of literacy.

Previous experience:

• Talk with Young Authors, Blanco Elementary, Blanco NM, Spring 2007. Talk with fifth grade, Moriarity Elementary, Moriarity, NM, Spring 2007.           
• Book drive for new books to stock John's Shelf (books need to be new as the children receiving the books tend to have immune depressed systems)
• Book drive, Tse Bit'ai Middle School, Shiprock, NM, auditorium presentations to 7th and 8th grades
• Book drive, Sacred Heart Elementary School, Farmington, NM, auditorium presentations to Pre-K-2nd grades and 3rd-5th grades
• Book drive, Kirtland Elementary, Kirtland, NM, classroom presentations to K-5th grades
• Book drives: Kirtland High School, Kirtland; Child & family Development Center, San Juan College; Mesa Verde Elementary, Farmington; Maria's Book Store in conjuction with Durango Montessori and Children's House, Durango,CO

Memberships:

• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, national and New Mexico chapter
• International Board on Books for Young People

Jennifer Cervantes
Contact: jen@jennifercervantes.com
Website: www.jennifercervantes.com

Title: Tortilla Sun

Interest areas: storytelling, creative writing,

Description of presentation(s):
1. "Creative Fun" - A 60-85 minute fun classroom presentation and craft. I will read  an excerpt from my book, discussing how we approach something we don't know how to do or aren't very good at. Then we have arts and crafts time and can do one of the following: 

• Make tortillas (here the emphasis is on cooking and the connection each has to our cultures and family). School or library must provide ingredients and have an available kitchen.
• Create story cards, like Izzy's (here the emphasis is on creating a story and writing elements). Students will use 3 X 5 cards to begin a story.
• Make truth catchers.
• The above presentations are geared toward students in 2nd-6th grade and is for groups of no more than 30.

2. “How Do I Become An Author?” – This informal sixty (60) minute discussion will focus on my road to becoming an author, how to begin, and what happens after you write your book. This is an informative presentation for teachers/faculty interested in pursuing a writing career with an optional question and answer period.

3. “How Can I Connect With Authors For My Classroom/Library?” – This sixty (60) minute informative presentation will focus on the importance of bringing books to life by connecting students with authors. We will discuss how teachers/faculty can incorporate Skype and other technological resources, as well as how to set up school visits.

4. Stories that Cross Borders – An exploration of bi-cultural perspectives in children's literature without falling into the traps of common misconceptions and stereotypes of the Latino community. Discussions will center on several topics including:

• Contemporary Hispanics and their search for young adult novels that reflect them in a real and relevant way from their history to their future
• The portrayal of Hispanic characters without the primary focus being on culture
• How to balance books about the immigrant experience with the need for universal stories depicting U.S. born Hispanics from varied backgrounds.

Experience:
I teach writing and literature at New Mexico State University. I am also a speaker at national conferences including NCTE, SCBWI, ALAN, and the Hispanic Children’s Literature Conference.

Fees: My honorarium is $125.00 per hour plus travel expenses.

Organizations: I am a member of NCTE: National Council of Teachers of English and SCBWI: Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators

Carlos Contreras, Hakim Bellamy, Kenn Rodriguez, Lee Francis IV
Organization: Mestizo Mouth Performance Collective: Specializing in Spoken Word, "Slam" style presentation and poetry
Contact Info:
Carlos C.
505-573-2047
soothxsayer@yahoo.com
Website: immastar.com

Awards/Honors: Members of the collective have won 2 National Performance Poetry Competition Championships

Interests & Presentation Description:
We are interested in high energy crowd participation involved poetry performances that may also include question and answer sessions as well as writing intensive workshops, that also address performance techniques on stage.

Previous Experience:
Over 20 years of combined performance experience, multiple national championships and featured performances as well as published authors

Fees: All fees depend on nature of event. If travel and/or lodging is required to perform at an event we ask that these be provided, but we will take couch space; we don’t need a hotel. Fees for performance otherwise are negotiated on a case by case basis.

Organizations: Abq Slams

Carolee Dean
P.O. Box 94412
Albuquerque, NM 87199-4412
505-238-8940
caroleedean@yahoo.com
Website: www.caroleedean.com

Title:
Comfort (Houghton Mifflin) is the story of a young man who overcomes his dysfunctional family situation through the power of poetry. Contains original poems by the author.

Awards/honors:
Carolee Dean was a featured author at the 2002 Texas Book Festival. Comfort was voted the Best YA book of 2002 by the Texas Institute of Letters and was listed on the 2003-04 Tayshas reading list.

Description of presentations:

• Presentation includes a poetry reading, book talk and group haiku activity if time permits. Samples drafts showing various stages of the writing and editing process will be shared.
• Teacher workshops are also available for “Inspiring the Reluctant Writer.”

Fee: $100 per hour within the Albuquerque Metro area.
$500 plus travel expenses for outlying areas in New Mexico.
$600 and up, plus travel expenses for out of state.
(each school will receive a 63-page teacher's guide including standards based activities

Previous experience:
Dean has given numerous presentations for students and teachers. She teaches a summer writing workshops through Sandia Preparatory School and during the school year works with adolescents as a speech-language pathologist in the Albuquerque Public Schools.

Memberships:

• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
• American Speech-Language and Hearing Association

Alexandra Diaz
Santa Fe, NM
adiaz@alexandra-diaz.com
Website: www.alexandra-diaz.com

Titles:

• Of All the Stupid Things (Egmont US, 2010)

Awards/honors:

• MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University, UK

Interest areas: Creative Writing, Writing Process, Play Writing, Gay/Straight Alliance, English/Spanish

Description of presentations:

• Anyone can write, and I'll show you how
• Character voices, and how to make them different
• "But I would never do that!" Working the line between fact and fiction
• Pushing the boundaries of teen fiction
• Build your own workshop: based on what your group needs, we can work on various aspects of the creative writing process. Children to adults welcome for any workshop or presentation.

Previous relevant experience:

• Threshold Prize Writer in the Schools.
• Hosts a creative writing group for Santa Fe teens.
• 10+ years experience in leading workshops and public speaking.

Fees/travel costs:

$250 depending on length and nature of visit. Price negotiable for charities and low-income organizations. Please contact regarding specific circumstances.

No extra charge for out-of-town or out-of-state visits other than travel expenses. Willing to go anywhere in the world assuming all travel expenses are provided.

Virtual/Skype visits also available at a reduced fee.

Organization:
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators


Chris Eboch
PO Box 1084, Socorro, NM 87801
505-270-6430
chriseboch@blarg.net
Website: www.chriseboch.com
Titles:

• The Well of Sacrifice (middle-grade historical drama)
• Childhood of Famous Americans: Jesse Owens (fictionalized biography for elementary school children)
• Childhood of Famous Americans: Milton Hershey (fictionalized biography for elementary school children)
• The Way People Live: Life Among the Maya (teen nonfiction)

Interest areas: Creative writing, research, writing nonfiction, using Historical Fiction for increasing information literacy.

Description of presentations:
Programs for kids include workshops on Finding Ideas, Plot, Description, and Characters. They work best with 20-40 students, grades 3 through adult.

• Finding Ideas: Look at where some published authors got their ideas. Then brainstorm your own ideas by looking at exciting or scary events in your life.
• Plot: What makes a good story? You need conflict. Learn about the basic types of conflict, ask two questions that will help you increase drama, and apply the "rule of threes" to carry the conflict throughout your story.
• Description: Learn to “show” your characters, setting and action through a series of fun writing exercises exploring all five senses.
• The author can also lead a discussion on the Maya, and can provide a variety of fun classroom projects relating to that culture. (See “For Teachers” at www.chriseboch.com)
• For teachers, using Historical Fiction in the classroom.

Previous Experience:

• Teacher with The Institute of Children’s Literature, 2005 to present
• School visits in NM and Washington state
• Dozens of conference and workshop presentations

Fee/travel costs: $300 for a half day (maximum 3 workshops of no more than one hour), plus travel expenses if applicable. Other options negotiable. Online virtual visits possible starting at $150.

Organization:
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Betsy James
PO Box 6654, Albuquerque, NM 87197
betsy@betsyjames.com
Website: http://www.betsyjames.com
Titles:

• Listening at the Gate (Atheneum 2006)
• Long Night Dance (Atheneum 2005)
• Dark Heart (Atheneum 2005)
• My Chair (Scholastic 2004)
• The Mud Family (Oxford University Press 1994)
• Mary Ann (E.P.Dutton1994)

Awards/honors:

• Listening at the Gate: New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age 2006; Tiptree Award Honor Book 2006; Starred review, School Library Journal
• Long Night Dance, Dutton Children’s Books 1989: 1991 Voices of Youth Advocates Best Fantasy
• My Chair: New York Public Library 100 Best Books, 2004; International Reading Association Children’s Choice 2004
• The Mud Family, Putnam/Oxford University Press 1994: 1995-96 Our Choice of the Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Flashlight, Knopf 1997: 1998 Junior Library Guild selection      
• Blow Away Soon, Putnam 1995: 1996 Child Study Children's Book Committee Book of the Year
• The Red Cloak, Chronicle Books 1989: 1995-96 National Museum for Women in the Arts exhibition, Brave Little Girls; Mary Ann, Dutton Children’s Books 1994; 1994 School Library Journal Best Book; 1995 Child Study Children's Book Committee Book of the Year

Interest areas: Creative writing and illustration, including cartooning, (in English and/or Spanish)

Description of presentations:
Writer-illustrator Betsy James, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, gives highly interactive book talks which develop collaborative, illustrated stories using the students’ own ideas. Her presentations, based on her conviction that literacy is a natural outgrowth of communication, can be adapted to any age or skill level; she also enjoys working with parents.

Previous experience:
Betsy has worked with APS, Zuni Pueblo, and migrant children in the western states, for many years. 

Fees:
Within New Mexico only: $800/day (includes 4, 45-minute to one-hour sessions of 60 students or less; evenings and parent meetings extra). Outside the Albuquerque area, add travel and, where appropriate, lodging and per diem.
Outside New Mexico: $1200/day as above, plus travel, lodging, and per diem.

Organization:
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

Nathan L. Krekula
Assistant Professor of Biology
University of the Southwest
Home: 1529 West Birch, Lovington, NM 88260, (575) 318-1276 
Work: 6610 Lovington Highway Hobbs, NM 88240, (575) 318-1276 ext. 1052
nkrekula@csw.edu
Title:

• Rooney the Blue-Tailed Mouse: The Day Rooney Got his Blue Tail (Linus Publications, 2008)

Upcoming Project:

• Rooney the Blue-Tailed Mouse: The Christmas Freeze (Linus Publications)

Awards/honors:

• Professor of the Year: College of the Southwest, 2006-2007
• Who’s Who Among American Teachers, 2006-2007

Interest areas: Children’s reading and development and the joy or writing.

Description of presentations: I would be happy to come and talk to students about the joy of reading and writing for fun.

Previous experience: 15 years as a teacher and mentor.

Fees/Travel costs: Negotiable

Community Service:

• President, Lea County Home School Association, a 501c Non-profit Reading Natural Program
• Lea Elementary School, Lovington, NM, Mentor for Upward Bound
• New Mexico Junior College New Mexico, Ombudsman Volunteer

Uma Krishnaswami
PO Box 5561
Farmington NM 87499
505-325-4817
uma@umakrishnaswami.com
Website: http://www.umakrishnaswami.com
Titles:

• The Closet Ghosts (Children's Book Press)
• The Happiest Tree (Lee & Low) Bringing Asha Home (Lee & Low)
• Remembering Grandpa (Boyds Mills Press)
• Monsoon (Farrar Straus Giroux)
• Naming Maya (Farrar Straus Giroux)

Awards/honors:

• CCBC and Bank Street Best Books lists
• Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers Parents' Choice Recommended list IRA Notable Books for a Global Society list

Interest areas: Writing process, creative writing, storytelling

Description of presentations:

• Using photographs, audio-visual material, published work and work in progress, Uma shares her writing journey with young people in a personal and meaningful way. She makes connections through childhood experiences and stories that reflect the commonalities of being human in a changing world. Her presentations, like her books, are both uniquely specific and universally relevant.
• Uma engages teachers and librarians in conversations about reading, writing, and teaching writing. She brings her experience teaching writing of place, combining skill building with honest discussions of challenges, and a commitment to honoring the voices of young writers.
• For adult writers, Uma runs writing workshops with depth and respect for the craft. She teaches writers how to discover their own process, and learn to work with it. No formulas here--the emphasis is on developing insights and understanding, and opening doors.
• Using photographs, audio-visual material, published work and work in progress, Uma shares her writing journey with young people in Programs

Sample Presentations:

• Thinking in Pictures: On the process of combining personal experience and fictional characters in creating text for a picture book
• Sounds and Stories from India: Stories, history and culture, including traditional retold stories and contemporary fiction.
• Living Places: About the process of writing a place-inspired book.
• For Teachers: Workshops and presentations on revision process, place-conscious writing, teachers as writers, and more.
• Assemblies: Large group presentations focusing on selected books, showing the story behind the story. LCD projector required.

Previous experience:

• Presentations to groups of all ages, invited speaker at state, regional and national conferences.
• Faculty member, MFA (Writing for Children and Young Adults) Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Fee/ travel costs: In-state fee $800 per day plus travel, board, and lodging as needed.
Out-of-state fee $1250 per day plus travel, board, and lodging.

Kristin Embry Litchman
1620 Los Alamos SW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
kelitchman@yahoo.com
Titles:

• Let's Dance: Dances for Children from America's Melting Pot
• Period Pieces: Stories for Girls
• All Is Well
• Secrets! of a Los Alamos Kid
• The Wrong Side of the Pattern

Interest areas: Storytelling, creative writing

Description of presentations:

• For a large group: Let's Tell A Story Together (Elements of Story). Group members contribute to the development of a story, its characters and its plot.
• Tell Me Your Story: Classroom. Participants and presenter discuss story elements, then write and share stories of their own.

Previous experience:

• Story-telling workshops for elementary-school classrooms and groups: APS; NM Book Fair; Colorado Book Fair.
• Writing presentations for adults: SCBWI_NM meetings and conferences.

Fee/ travel costs:
$50 per one- hour session, plus out-of-town travel expenses

Organizations:
• The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
• SouthWest Writers (SWW)

Kimberley Griffiths Little
505-865-1728
kglittle@msn.com
Website: www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com
Blog: http://kimberleylittle.livejournal.com
Titles:

• Breakaway
• Enchanted Runner
• The Last Snake Runner

Awards/honors:

• Breakaway: NM Battle of the Books, NM Land of Enchantment Master List; Pennsylvania Childrne's Choice List
• Enchanted Runner: NM Land of Enchantment Master List, Southwest Book Award
• The Last Snake Runner: NM Land of Enchantment Master List, NM Battle of the Books

Interest areas: Storytelling, creative writing, writing/publishing process, editing, research. 

Description of presentations:

• Workshop #1 - "Enchanted Journeys"
  Join Kimberley on a trip across time to explore the magic of the Southwest through her novels. Time travel, historical events and wars as well as Hispanic and Native American culture open up new worlds of ideas and communication between kids, librarians and teachers through the stories and issues contained within her books. With a fun slide show and a few of Kimberley's favorite books she shows the writing process: how to get ideas for stories, how to HOOK your reader, shaping and structuring, re-writing, editing, and publication. Bonus Imagination exercise set to music to wrap up the workshop.
• Workshop #2 - "The Creative Diary"
  Students will discover the joy of the writing process and produce a complete short story during this workshop. Fun and provocative Imagination exercises get the writing juices flowing. Even reluctant writers love this fresh approach.
• Email Kimberley to receive a detailed brochure on her school/library workshops or visit her website.

Previous experience: I've spoken to school and library groups across New Mexico from Farmington to Hobbs as well as in California and Michigan. I've also been a keynote speaker at the NMLA Conference.

Fee/travel costs: $300 per day plus travel expenses

Organizations:

• SCBWI (Society of Children's Writer's and Illustrators)
• Southwest Writers

Cristina Ortega
hellody.co@gmail.com
505-220-3273
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Titles:

• The Eyes of the Weaver (UNM Press 2006), historical New Mexico fiction
• The Key to Grandpa’s House (UNM Press 2007), illustrated by Cristina’s brother, Armando Ortega, historical New Mexico fiction

Background:

• Cristina is a native New Mexican of Hispanic descent.
• She is a retired first grade teacher with the Albuquerque Public School System.

Areas of Interest: Reading aloud, writing process, New Mexico oral history

Description of Presentations: 

• Cristina will read either of her stories aloud.  As an artistic addition the illustrator of The Key to Grandpa’s House, Armando Ortega, plays traditional Spanish music on the guitar while Cristina reads.
• Using authentic family weavings, hand carved shuttles and photos, Cristina shares personal experiences of learning to weave Chimayó blankets from her grandfather.  Included in the presentation is the actual Chimayó weaving from her story, The Eyes of the Weaver.
• Her own New Mexico family traditions and customs are shared encouraging her audience of all ages to become aware of their own traditions and family history.
• Cristina discusses with students the importance of listening and documenting stories of family elders.
• A question and answer period is encouraged with the audience.

Previous Experience:

• Cristina has made numerous school presentations in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Placitas, Los Lunas and Alamogordo.
• She has read and presented her stories in several Bernalillo County Libraries to people of all ages.  Presentations include the Chimayó Museum in Chimayó.
• Cristina has read her stories on some local radio stations, KUNM, KKOB and KHFM.

Fees:

Local area: $150 per 45 minute period (3-4 classes) and will negotiate fee if school purchases a classroom set of books.  An additional $50 is charged for the illustrator to play guitar music during reading session.

Out of local area but in-state: the fee is negotiable and will include travel and lodging expenses.

Poetry in Schools
http://www.nmculturenet.org/poetry/poets-in-the-schools/
This innovative project places poets in middle and high schools throughout the state to work with students and teachers.

Anna Redsand, PhD
2632 Indiana St. NE
Albuquerque NM 87110
(505) 872-3277
aredsand@yahoo.com
Website: www.annaredsand.com (Note: Teaching Guide on Teachers’ Page)
Title:
Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living (Clarion, 2006)

Awards/honors: for Viktor Frankl:

• 2007 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council.
• Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year: 2007
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age

Interest areas: Creative writing; Holocaust and tolerance education; personal search for meaning through interactive learning; bibliotherapy

Description of presentations:

• Personal search for meaning through interactive activities and creative writing
• Ethnic and religious tolerance
• The Holocaust
• Logotherapy theory and practice (high school and college psychology and counseling)
• Bibliotherapy for school counselors

Previous experience:

• Teacher: elementary through college; subjects: language arts, psychology, counseling
• Counselor (school and clinical)

Fee:
Half day: $300 plus travel expenses
Full day: $500 plus travel expenses
Local: $100/hour
(all negotiable)

Organizations:

• Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
• SouthWest Writers
• International Reading Association
• Authors’ Guild

Naomi C. Rose
56 Balsa Rd. Santa Fe, NM  87508
505-466-1887
naomicrose@aol.com
Website: www.naomicrose.com
Titles:

• Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas
   
• Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World, Fall 2008
• Wildlife of the Tibetan Plateau, Fall 2008

Awards: 

• Nautilus Book Award
• Storytelling World Honor

Interest areas: Storytelling, writing, illustrating, craft projects, Tibet

Description of presentations:

• Taste of Tibet. A Fun Opportunity to Learn about Tibet’s Enchanting Culture!
  Naomi arrives wearing a Tibetan costume and with a basketful of Tibetan treasures. Her presentation includes storytelling, slide show, and chanting. Art projects may include mask making, peace flags, and mandalas. Programs on specific aspects of Tibet, such as Tibetan wildlife and Tibetan music, are also available.
• The Craft of Stories and Books. Inspiring Youth to Write Stories and Create Books!
  Naomi offers programs in the craft of writing and/or book making. Topics may include: Making your story sing; Tricks of the trade; Illustrating your story; Captivating your readers; Creating picture books. Programs may include slides, storytelling, exercises, and longer book projects.

Previous experience: Naomi has presented her programs in schools, libraries, museums, and other venues throughout the United States. 

Fee:
The honorarium requested depends on the number of sessions, amount of time in each session, and the location of the school. A general fee for a full day of presentations, such as four or five 45 minutes sessions, may range from $500 to $800, plus travel expenses. Half days sessions may range from $300 to $500.  Naomi works to make her programs affordable in every situation, so please contact her to discuss your interests and budget.

Organizations: 

• Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
• Storytellers of NM

Lois Ruby
8223 Grape View Ct. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
505-293-5478
loisruby@comcast.net
Website: www.loisruby.com
Titles:

• Shanghai Shadows
   
• Steal Away Home
   
• Soon Be Free
   
• Journey to Jamestown
   
• Miriam's Well
   
• Skin Deep

Awards/Honors:

• Shanghai Shadows -- 2007 Kansas Notable Book
• Steal Away Home -- 2007 Bank Street Book
• Several state children's choice lists

Interest areas and Description of Presentations:
I work with young people from 4th grade through 12th, with college students, and with adults for teacher and librarian in-service workshops. My presentations are lively and interactive and include highlights of how ideas are generated, the writing process, interesting anecdotes about each of my books, and thought-provoking discussion and debate on the ideas in my novels for young people. I also do creative writing workshops for children and adults.

Previous Experience:
I've been doing visits to schools and libraries for 30+ years, averaging about 25 presentations each year. I'm also a former librarian for the Dallas Public Library, focusing on young adults.

Fee: $600/day for 5 presentations, or $150 for each fewer than five. For presentations outside of Albuquerque, there would be an additional cost for mileage and, if necessary, lodging and meals.

Organizations:

• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - national and NM chapter
• Association of Jewish Libraries
• American Library Association
• NM Library Association
• Mountain Plains Library Association
• Kansas Library Association
• ALAN -- The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English
• IRA - International Reading Association

Mary Chloe Schoolcraft Saunders, M.Ed.
331-2689 (p)
mcspossibilities@yahoo.com 
Blog: www.marysaunders-marysaunders.blogspot.com
Title: “Spread Your Wings and Fly: An Origami Fold and Tell Story”

Award: Writer’s Digest National Self Published book award

Interest areas: Author, storyteller, origami workshops    

Description of presentations:

• She presents at schools and libraries coinciding with events such as Young Writers, Literacy Week, International Day, and Children’s Book Week. She presents storytelling assemblies, parent involvement, and author/origami in residence programs, as well as teacher in-service trainings on Character Counts/Character qualities, Instructional Bulletin Boards/Teaching Walls, and Origami as a companion to picture books and stories.
• She is also involved with Title I programs.
• She teaches origami with a trigger-phrase and storytelling approach. She transforms intimidation to invitation in the areas of origami and literacy.
• The Living Story Book:  An interactive time with storybooks and origami.  Stories include popular tales such as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “ Rainbow Fish,” “Caps for Sale,” “Big Mouth Frog,” “Guess How Much I Love You,” and many more. 

Previous experience:
Over 20 years of experience. She has worked with KNME in the areas of Young Writers and Storytelling Workshops. Served 11 years as Speech/Language Pathologist in elementary public school.

Fee and travel costs:
Title I Parent Involvement: $150.00 per session
Storytelling Assemblies: Three 45 minute sessions: $450.00
Author/Origami Artist in Residence: Classroom visits 45 minutes each classroom grades K-2 or 3-5: $450.00 
Teacher In-service: $550.00
Overnight Accommodations and Travel Expenses for presentations outside of Albuquerque area:
1 night if more than 50 miles and less than 60 miles from Albuquerque plus 50 cents per mile, depending on time of first presentation.
2 nights if more than 60 miles from Albuquerque plus 50 cents per mile
I can work on a sliding scale to accommodate your school’s budget.

Organizations:

• NAEYC (National Association for Education of Young Children)
• Origami USA

Danny Solis
Albuquerque
eldannysolis@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=Poets&file=solis

Titles:

• the other thing
• Confusion Song
• Demo Peligroso (CD)

Interests: Poetry, poetry slams

Awards/honors: Known as the Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, he has won many poetry slams and is a two-time 'Burque Poetry Slam Champion. He has been a part of two National Championship Poetry Slam teams.

Previous Experience: Solis has performed for audiences of all ages all over America giving shows and workshops in schools, universities, coffee shops and bars in almost every state of the lower 48. Solis is especially successful in bringing poetry to children and younger audiences.

Edith Tarbescu
tarbescu@comcast.net
505-294-8590
Website: www.home.earthlink.net/~tarbescu
Titles:

• Annushka's Voyage, pub. by Houghton Mifflin
• The Boy Who Stuck Out His Tongue, pub., by Barefoot Bks.
• Bring Back My Gerbil, pub. by Scholastic
• The Crow (about the Crow Nation of MT), pub. by Scholastic

Awards/honors:
Annushka's Voyage-- Honor Book –AJL and Honor Book in the Area of Social Studies--Council of Librarians.

Interest areas: Creative writing, storytelling, etc.

Description of presentations:

• I ask students to help me act out The Boy Who Stuck Out His Tongue, a humorous folktale. I also show Danish and Korean versions of the book. I use interactive materials for my book The Crow, e.g., rawhide and tanned hide, as well as enlarged photos of the Crow Native Americans at their annual Crow Fair (Pow-wow), etc.
• For Annushka's Voyage, I used enlarged photos of people traveling in steerage, circa 1920, as well as enlarged photos, same period, of people living in Lower East Side, N.Y.
• I act out the story of Bring Back My Gerbil, a Scholastic Early Reader.

Previous experience: Presentations at schools, libraries, etc. from CT to CA, and even visited two schools in Belfast, Ireland., as well talks at conferences.

Fee: Half day-- $400.
Full day-- $800.
Plus travel expenses, if necessary
I contribute book(s) to schools I visit to encourage reading and writing.

Organizations:

• Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators—National and New Mexico chapter
• PEN USA and PEN N.M.
• Dramatists Guild, NY

Additional info: Have books, will travel.