Category: Author Presentations

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Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being “a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English.” Giovanni’s honors and awards have been steady and plentiful throughout her career. The author of some 30 books for both adults and children, and the recipient of some twenty-five honorary degrees, has led her to become a “National Treasure.” Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, Nikki Giovanni has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her books can be used in Language Arts, Social Studies and to promote cultural awareness. Giovanni’s focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others.

 

Jason Chin is an author and illustrator who just loves nature and wildlife. He has written three of his own books, but has illustrated for a total of seven. Chin incorporates factual information in his stories while doing some story telling as well. His books are easy to read and when new vocabulary is introduced, Chin offers an explanation of the word. His most recent book Island has won the 2013 Gryphon Award for Children’s Literature and was also considered to be one of the top twenty children’s books of 2012 by School Library Journal. His books Redwoods and Coral Reefs have also received starred reviews from Horn Book, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews. Jason Chin is definitely an author you will want to share in your classroom!

Joyce sidman from Andrea Ruiz

Joyce Sidman is an American poet. She has written 11 children’s books. Some have won awards and Caldecott honorable mentions. Her recent book Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature had been critically acclaimed and is a Junior Library Guild Selection. She has a love for the nature world and it shows in her writing. I read that she said, “the natural world fascinates me, elates me, grounds me. It raises questions that I try to answer in my writing.” Her writing pulled me into her poems and books and I couldn’t stop until I got to the last page. Her themes include nature, animals, and insects. She give the natural world a voice. Her books can be used for Science and Language Arts. On her website www.joycesidman.com there are lesson ideas that can help students use her books in their classroom.

Humorous poetry is hard to come by but it is all James Stevenson does in his colorful books. He writes about his experiences and for students this is a great reference if you are doing a unit on personal writing. His illustrations are beautiful and when you know so little about him (his background information is provided no where on the internet) your class can use context clues from the text in order to find out more about his past. Students will find his writing exciting and inspiring for their own writing and his story is very compelling.

Joyce Sidman is a poet who can’t help but share her love for nature with readers. Her attention to detail and connection to the natural world will captivate any child. Her poems can be picked up by almost any student and read with ease. Sidman has published several books of poetry whose themes include animals, outdoor settings, the natural world, and insects. She is a perfect fit for any student who loves being outdoors or adventure. Her poems could be paired nicely with various elementary science lessons.

Link to Sidman reading some of Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
and explaining why she wrote this book.
Poems read:
•Welcome to the Night
•Dark Emperor

Patricia Polacco is prolific children’s book author and illustrator. She has won numerous awards and has published over 50 books. Patricia Polacco is known for writing about her personal anecdotes as well as culture, history, and relationships. If you want your students to write about their lives, feelings, and experiences, Patricia Polacco is the author to introduce! Below is a presentation that features Patricia Polacco’s biography, list of published works, her themes and writing techniques, a snippet of her writing, and how to use her books in the classroom.

This is a short clip of Patricia Polacco reading parts of her book The Keeping Quilt.

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Kristine O’Connell George is one of the principle voices in contemporary children’s poetry.  Her beautifully written poetry effortlessly communicates her love of nature and the outdoors. Throughout her twelve published works, George spans themes such as relationships, like those with our parents or siblings, nature, animals, special moments within our lives, and the natural beauty of the outside world.  Her use of imagery, point of view, and imaginative voice throughout all of her works allows her to weave magical tales in just a few short lines.  Her poems would pair best with the Science TEKS in grades 1^st-3^rd relating to the study of frogs, life cycles, trees, and plants.

 

Pat Mora Presentation

Below is a brief author presentation about Pat Mora.  She is a leading figure in contemporary Hispanic poetry and committed to promoting children’s literacy.  Her literature can easily be used to enrich lessons in social studies since her work emphasizes the importance of diversity, culture, family, and nature.  For instance, one of the ways for integrating Pat Mora’s work in the classroom is by reading the poems in Confetti and having students prepare a “Me Bag” that contains different items about their culture and have them share with their classmates.

Here’s a read-aloud of one of the poems from Confetti by Pat Mora: Confetti