SCHOOL VISITS & SPEAKING
PROGRAMS AND PRESENTATIONS
Cheryl is available to do school visits as well as presentations at illustrator, teacher and librarian conferences and workshops. All of her presentations can be adapted for different age groups.
Cheryl will come to a school for up to four 45-minute presentations per day, with up to two classrooms at a time for each talk. She has several presentations to choose from.
An Illustrator's Life
Using projected images, Cheryl tells students about how she became an illustrator, the process involved in creating a book (planning, research, layout, sketch, revision, final painting), and a bit about the printing process and the life of a freelancer.
She brings lots of visual examples to illustrate her talk, and does some drawing at an easel along the way. She can modify the presentation for kindergarten through adult groups.
What you need: a projector in a darkened room, a VGA connection, an easel and plain paper.
The Black Regiment of the American Revolution
Most people have heard about the black soldiers of the Civil War, but did you know that Rhode Island had a regiment of men of color who fought during the Revolutionary War?
This presentation is specific to Cheryl's illustrations about the soldiers of color who served as the first RI Regiment during the Revolutionary War, written by Linda Crotta Brennan.
This presentation details the process of researching and illustrating this historical subject, while telling the story of the men who won their freedom by fighting for their country's freedom.
What you need: a projector in a darkened room, a VGA connection, an easel and plain paper.
Design 101 for Picturebook Lovers: What Goes Into Illustrating a Picturebook
Geared towards librarians, teachers, aspiring authors and illustrators, and children's book lovers of all ages, this presentation guides viewers through the visual planning that make children's books powerful. Filled with examples of beautifully illustrated children's books, the presentation covers:
- Design
- color palette
- character development
- pacing, formatting and style
You will leave with an enhanced understanding of how an illustrator creates a compelling experience for the reader.
What you need: a projector in a darkened room, a VGA connection, an easel and plain paper.
What Makes a Picturebook Caldecott-Worthy?
Have you ever wondered why a picturebook won the Caldecott (when you thought there was a much better candidate?)
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of 19th century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
This presentation leads librarians, teachers, and children's book lovers through the criteria for the secretive process of choosing a Caldecott winner. Chock-full of images from award winning books, viewers will leave with a deeper understanding of the criteria for winning this prestigious award.
What you need: a projector in a darkened room, a VGA connection, an easel and plain paper.
Researching Fun!
Much of Cheryl's work is research based. Whether teasing out what kind of hat a Revolutionary War soldier wore (tricorn or bicorn), or incorporating cultural costume into a fanciful folktale, research is her cup of tea.
Cheryl has adapted this presentation
- for adults in history associations by focusing on "The Black Regiment of the American Revolution"
- towards non-fiction workshops at conferences
- for school groups who are starting their own research projects.
Images of her process, and lots of children's book illustrations are included.
What you need: a projector in a darkened room, a VGA connection, an easel and plain paper.
Costs
Full day, with up to four 45-minute presentations: $650.00
(plus travel expenses if out of state)
One presentation (local only): $250.00
