David Greenberg coming in October

AUTHOR PRESENTATIONS BY DAVID GREENBERG

Poetry Assemblies (based on my poetry picture books)

Civil Rights Assemblies (based on my historical fiction novel)

http://www.authorsillustrators.com/greenberg/greenberg.htm

I'm David Greenberg, author of beautifully illustrated poetry books for children: Slugs, Bugs!, Skunks!, Snakes!, Whatever Happened to Humpty Dumpty?, The Book of Boys for Girls-The Book of Girls for Boys, Don't Forget Your Etiquette, Crocs!, Enchanted Lions, among others, all of which have received wonderful reviews. My novel, about the 1960s civil rights movement in America, A Tugging String, has received superb reviews, http://www.authorsillustrators.com/greenberg/review_Tugging.htm (My father was Dr. Martin Luther King's primary attorney, helped argue Brown v Board of Education, and the novel describes a child's-eye view of events.) It is winner of the Oregon Spirit Award, was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. I'm currently writing a poetry collection for Scholastic all about life at school. I present 1/ assemblies for all grades based on my poetry picture books and 2/ assemblies for grades three through HS based on my civil rights novel.

I have, in recent years, worked at a good number of International and Department of Defense Schools, and have enjoyed the work so much, that I write you with the hope of interesting you in inviting me to your school. I'm currently scheduling tours for next school year. I will be visiting the Singapore American School and Mont Kiara International School (in Malaysia) in October 2011. (International Schools that have had me visit for the past five years are listed at the bottom of this message. I've provided e-mail addresses of my contacts, so you can get in touch to find out more about how they feel about the quality of my work.)

If you're looking for an author who is a superb, wonderful, inspirational presenter, I'm the guy. I'm regularly told that my presentations were "awesome," "amazing," " the best presentation of any sort our school has ever had," "the finest presentation I've seen in thirty years as a teacher."

And I have specific, specialized presentations for primary, upper elementary, middle school and high school.

POETRY ASSEMBLIES: For grades K-12 I present assemblies based on my poetry picture books . These are fun, very funny, filled with interaction, and rich with wonderful illustrations from my books.

CIVIL RIGHTS ASSEMBLIES: For grades 3 - HS, I present assemblies based on my historical novel that deals with the civil rights situation in America in the 1960s, A TUGGING STRING. In this assembly I describe the attitudes, emotions, events, and personalities of the civil rights movement and how Dr. Martin Luther King (helped by my father who was his lawyer) peacefully helped to move America from a time of great racial injustice to a time with an African American as president. This deeply moving assembly is very visual, filled with pictures of the time. It thematically connects to issues of human rights worldwide.

Please check my recent references below or at http://www.authorsillustrators.com/greenberg/references.htm and they'll tell you my programs were outstanding. I'm keenly aware that this seems terribly brash, but if you are seeking an author who will wow your students, teachers, and parents, I fit the bill. I care deeply about the quality of my work, take great pride in it.

My assemblies go beyond inspiration. I vividly connect my presentations to the writing curriculum, emphasizing the qualities that make for high quality writing such as strong imagery, imagination, noticing, detail, word choice, voice. I make a special point of talking about the enormous number of rejections I've received in my career. For I believe that attitude makes the writer. Attitude is more important than talent. I have succeeded as a writer because I've set a goal and been tenacious in the face of rejection and difficulty. And by telling my story I inspire students to persevere in the face of their challenges. Often I'm told that children who were previously reluctant writers began to write with passionate energy following my school visit.

I also present Writing Workshops (I have written books on writing instruction), Teacher Inservices (again, I'm told by many that they're the best they've ever attended in their careers; check my references, you'll see) and Family Evening Sessions (in which children and parents write together in family teams).

I charge $1000 a day plus expenses. For this fee I am willing to present up to four presentations a day with students and, if you wish, an after-school Teacher Inservice, and a Family Evening Presentation.

Typically, with a school's permission, I bring my books along for autographing, sparing the school any of the trouble of ordering books and sending back remainders.

If you'd like to contact me you can do so at authilus@teleport.com or you can call me at 360-560-7766. I'd be happy to send you a preview video of my assemblies for primary and/or for upper elementary.

It may also be relevant to your considerations that I am founder of, director of, and instructor at the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, www.occbww.com

It would be a pleasure and an honor to visit your school!

Sincerely,

David Greenberg

Author

Following are endorsements of my work from educators that should give you a good sense of the regard in which my programs are held. There are both international school and stateside schools listed.

References from International Schools 2010-2011

Germany

Ramstein Intermediate School, Lacy Ullman, ullmann.lacy@googlemail.com

Bamberg Elementary School, Kristin Taylor, kristin.taylor@eu.dodea.edu

Robinson Barracks EMS, Sharon Gilbert, Sharon.Gilbert@eu.dodea.edu

References from schools in the United States

"David Greenberg came to our school back in 2001 for our first Author Visit. Ten years later we brought him back for an encore performance and WOW! The Poetry assembly was just as ridiculously funny the second time around, but the Civil Rights assembly was truly spectacular. Teachers, parents, and students were talking about this “event” for weeks and weeks after the assembly. If you do anything this year, find the time and money to bring David Greenberg to your school. You owe it to your students!”

Debra Brahmi, Media Specialist, Ventnor Educational Community Complex, Ventnor, NJ dbrahmi@veccnj.org

"I had a teacher who has been here for 19 years tell me that you were the best speaker we have had here at Chandler."

Ashley Payne Laird, Seventh Grade English, English Department Head, Chandler School, CA, ALaird@chandlerschool.org

"I would like to express my admiration regarding David Greenberg’s presentations, both Poetry and Civil Rights. I was the host school and gathered 4 other schools into a week of David Greenberg’s presentations. We were fortunate to have him spend a day in each district. I have heard nothing but wonderful feedback on the content and presentation of David. He involved the students and staff, all grades, alike. Several schools have asked about the possibility of a return visit. School board members were very impressed by the content and audiences’ attentiveness to David. Staff members have gone out of their way to thank me for bringing David into our district, even several weeks after the fact.. I, personally, was able to attend both presentations and was wildly impressed. As a host, you always wonder if this will be a presenter that will just take up time, or it this the one that could get even those students who grudgingly attend interested. It is always a gamble. I was told that not ONE student had to be spoken to during the hour of David Greenberg and “that says a lot about the quality of the presenter”."

I would wholeheartedly recommend David for any school. Renita L. McCabe-Irvin, Media Specialist, Stewartville Public Schools, Stewartville, MN 55976 rirvin@ssd.k12.mn.us

"Words simply do not exist to adequately praise David Greenberg’s civil rights assembly. His presentation had our middle school students and teachers mesmerized as we listened to his personal insights, excerpts from his book A Tugging String, and viewing historical photos in a wonderful PowerPoint. Each year our teachers “talk” about civil rights in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Never have our students taken to heart the message as they did after meeting Mr. Greenberg whose father was the lead attorney for Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil rights books are flying off the library shelves. This civil rights assembly is a must for any middle school!" Cindy Glenn, Cathedral School, Librarian, Portland, OR 97209

cglenn@cathedral-or.org

"Several months ago, one of our members shared her experience with author David Greenberg. As a result, I booked David for a visit to our school, and he was, in a word, INCREDIBLE. He mesmerized our students and teachers alike with his abundant humor, energy and enthusiasm. The halls were buzzing as our students moved back to their classrooms, comparing their favorite lines from his poems. My students were so eager to borrow his books that I literally had to raffle them off to those who were lucky enough to have library class after the assemblies. Their far and away favorite was his Book of Boys (for Girls) and Book of Girls (for Boys). I had used this book to prepare for his visit, and despite the fact that my book fair starts tomorrow; I still had the most orders for that book than for any other book I have ever offered! My teachers kept stopping me to compliment me on my wise choice for the author visit (Yeah!!). I highly recommend his writing workshop as well; I’ve NEVER seen our students so motivated. One teacher even suggested that David’s techniques be used for our PSSA (state tests) prompts if the state really wanted to see what our students are capable of.

Ok, so clearly I’m gushing, but when I can bring this type of experience to my students, I feel that I have impacted their lives-hopefully forever. I encourage you to look to his website ( http://www.authorsillustrators.com/greenberg/greenberg.htm ), and give serious thought to inviting David to your school. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance." Maria Sweet, Media Specialist, West Rockhill Elementary, Sellersville, PA MSweet@pennridge.org

"In April of 2009 our faculty and students here at the QSI International School of Chongqing (China) hosted a visit by David Greenberg. We are a new school and David's visit was important for two reasons. First, simply because he was our first visiting author, and second it was very important that this initial visit be one that would set the standard for what our students could expect from future author visits. I can tell you that he met our expectations and set high standards for those that will follow. If you are looking for an author who is authentic, personable, funny, engages students and holds their attention then bring David to your school. His interaction with and the learning experience for students from 5 to 15 years old was consistently excellent. He knows students, their interests regardless of age. Certainly ours benefited greatly from his visit." Roy Douthitt, Director, QSI International School of Chongqing douthirl@yahoo.com

"David Greenberg's engaging assembly reflecting his newest book A Tugging String left our students in wide-eyed awe..." Sam Allegro and Hope Willy, teachers @ Washington/Hoyt Elementary,Tacoma ,WA allegro94@netscape.com

"I can't express how important your visit has been to our students. Many, many parents approached me, following your Civil Rights talk, to discuss their family dinner conversations since hearing you. It was the first realization for some children and most found it very difficult to understand how and why things were the way they were. Their awareness is 'priceless" as the commercials say. Thank you so much for your time and effort in visiting our school, but more than that, for sharing your family story and opening our young minds." Jane O'Malley, Phillippi Shores I B World School, Sarasota, FL Jane_O'Malley@sarasota.k12.fl.us