School and Library Visits by author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Sudipta’s presentations blend storytelling and language arts with fun and wit. Children of all ages are invited to learn about writing, the process of making a book, and the challenges of being a writer. Sudipta shares all her books with the students so they can see a real face behind the printed words.

Some schools have been hosting author visits for so long that it is a learning experience for Sudipta when she arrives. On the other hand, some librarians are fairly new to the process. Sudipta is prepared to work with you to fulfill all of your needs and to ensure that the visit is a complete success. Long before she comes to your school, she’ll provide you with standards-based lesson plans, activities, and art projects the students can do to create excitement about the author visit -- and to make her classroom visits both supplementary and complementary to the in-school learning experience. Sudipta's books and presentations tie into many aspects of the core curriculum, and her student workshops reinforce the lessons of the literacy programs (such as "Being A Writer," "Making Meaning," "6+1 Trait® Writing Model," etc) that your school already uses.. Sudipta can help you arrange the book ordering and advise you on extras like contests to enhance the visit. In order to accommodate your students’ needs, Sudipta is prepared to speak to audiences of all sizes, within the classroom setting or at the front of the auditorium. Furthermore, she has experience speaking to any grade level your school may have, from PreK through the sixth grade (with age-appropriate presentations, of course!). If there are any questions or concerns, sheis available at any time to discuss with you how to have the most successful author visit ever.

Please review the educator's guides and print these handouts and distribute them to your students ahead of the author visit. Because these are meant for several grade levels, activities are included for various abilities. Feel free to pick and choose what is best for your students.

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Sudipta offers a variety of professional development workshops for educators, which can be made to work in conjunction with the author visit or as an independent training. For questions about Sudipta's professional development offerings, please email her.

I thought about writing a very traditional pitch here about why you should invite *me* to your school instead of any of the dozens of other wonderful authors you could approach. And then I thought: NO.

There’s something better I could do. So, I am going to give you the

Drumroll, please.

My first name is pronounced sue-DIP-ta. It is exactly phonetic. What better way to drive home the importance of phonics to your students?
I’ve visited dozens of schools all over the country, and a few in the UK as well (which means I have presented in English and in British — and trust me, there’s a difference!). I have spoken in front of audiences of 10 and audiences of 250 (and both make me nervous enough to vomit — though I've finally gotten a handle on that). So I promise to bring to your students a very high level of professionalism and experience.
Children laugh at me. I choose to believe it is because of my excellent child-like sense of humor. And not because of my offbeat sense of style.
I’ve got a presentation to fit the needs of every student you want me to visit. For example: preschoolers can smooch and roar along with my picture books, 2nd graders can learn about the steps involved in writing a story and preview brand new books, and 5th graders can participate in writing workshops.
I’ve been on Radio Sweden. That makes me practically a movie star. And celebrity books are always a big hit, right?
I will help you and your school prepare for the visit in every way, including sending along activities and teacher guides that can be used long in advance of the visit to get the students excited, as well as after the visit. Ordering books? I’ll help you with that. Need help with anything else? I’m here for you.
I’ll teach your students the importance of using strong descriptive phrases like “fabulously fabulous” and “fantastically fantastic.” And then I’ll teach them about editing and revision.
I’m willing to write a top ten list even though it is very difficult to come up with ten ways to describe yourself as fabulously fabulous.
FUN FUN FUN. We always have fun during my presentations. There's a game show. There are prizes. No one leaves empty-handed. I'd tell you more but then I'd have to...you know.
Because no one will work harder to make sure your students get the most out of the author visit.
Need more reasons?