Most recent presentation: Cayman Island International School (CIS) from May 3-6, 2010

"Ms. Kessler, thank you for your time at CIS! Your visit has been a wonderful experience for students, teachers, staff and parents. You and your books, along with your presentations, have inspired students to keep journals and become authors. You have created an awareness for Africa – its people, animals and the baobab tree! Your real-life stories and pictures stirred our excitement for traveling. We thank you again for a fabulous week!"
- Testimonial from CIS

I can present for up to 100 kids in a presentation, but the problem is that I can never get to all the questions. A group of 40 – 60 is good, but obviously the smaller the better. For the older group, because it is all discussion, I prefer groups of 25 to 30 students. Writing workshop sizes should not exceed 20 participants so they have time to read what they have written and get instant feedback.

LENGTH: The programs run for 60 minutes each. The workshops vary according to audience, and can range from one hour to several days.

Honorariums and expenses for presentations:

• $500 for 3, one-hour sessions of “Behind the Books” or three presentations of the “Rites of Passage” reading and discussion, or any combination thereof, plus a lunch with future writers, and a parents evening presentation and book signing.
• $650 for 4, one-hour presentations/workshops, lunch with future writers. Plus all travel expenses. There is a fee discount for multiple school visits in an area. Please ask for details. Contact Cristina Kessler

Also, a selection of signed, available books will be given to the library.

“Behind the Books” takes kids through the process of writing and publishing a book.  I discuss where my ideas come from, and the necessary process of re-writes. I show a manuscript sent back by my editor, with lines and squiggles and arrows decorating it. There is always a guaranteed sigh of exasperation from the kids, and also an element of relief that even writers don’t get it all right the first time. I also show a strip dummy, galley proof, and the folded and gathered stage. This part of the presentation ends with the final product and a guess from the kids about how long the whole process takes.

The second portion is a slideshow. In my books I try to bring kids closer together around the world.  Muhamad’s Desert Night is a book based on a real Tuareg boy. The slides are of Muhamad, his family, his goats and Tuareg life in general. I hope that by introducing different cultures to young kids, especially in schools which have become very multi-cultural, kids will start life with an interest in, and acceptance of, different customs and cultures.

"Behind the Books" Videos available on the website

There is also a wildlife show with bizarre information about the animals and stories about my close encounters with wildlife over 19 years in Africa.  Many of these encounters appear in Our Secret, Siri Aang.  By talking about my unusual lifestyle which includes 31 years of travel to 106 countries on 7 continents, and learning 7 languages along the way, I hope to inspire kids that they can be and do anything they want.  As one little girl told me, “I love to write and I love to travel, so I’m perfect for the job. Never thought of it before. Thanks.”

"Rites of Passage" is a presentation for older students.  It is based on "No Condition Is Permanent", and "Our Secret, Siri Aang" which have many different common themes and so discussion topics are numerous.  The presentation starts with a short reading then moves into discussions about other cultures, female circumcision, rites of passage, friendship, culture shock, acceptance, diversity, or about writing - wherever the students want to take it. All participants must be comfortable with the topic of female circumcision to attend the presentation. It is not the theme by any means, but it is discussed and any questions are answered about it.

Audience – Students 8th-12th grades

The "Non-Fiction Writer's Workshop" is for teachers or students. It has been used as a tool for making report writing more fun and challenging by combining curriculum, like Science and English Composition. The workshop is a lot of fun, with a high participation level as the exercise we do gives all kids something to write about and share immediately. It includes sessions on: Research, Organizing Information, and Five Steps to Writing a Good Article or report. The workshop is very flexible in design and scheduling.

Audience – Students 1st through 12th grades, or teachers.

The "Fiction Writer's Workshop" can be for either teachers to help their students, or for students themselves to help them write. It starts with tips for getting started, followed by specific sessions on Plot and/or Character.

Each topic has a hand-out, as well as a specific exercise to clarify the concept and to help writers get started. The workshop can be as short as one hour or as long as two days, depending on the scope to be covered. Each participant in the short workshop will have a good beginning to a story, and those in a longer workshop will be close to a first draft by the end of the workshop.

Audience – Students 4th through 12th grades, or teachers.

"Future Writers Lunch Program" is one of my favorite programs. I meet at lunch with a select group of students who are serious writers. We sit together in a special place and talk writing over lunch. They ask whatever questions they have about any aspect of writing. Being taken seriously as writers is an important and encouraging event for the students. There is no charge if done during a day-long visit.

Audience – Students 3rd through 12th grades, usually done by age groups.