ILLUSTRATING A BOOK IN CLAY 

From being a kid who liked to draw, to creating books in clay, see behind the scenes with pictures & videos from raw manuscript to printed piece. Emphasis on research & cooperative skills & the many mistakes along the way. 20-60 min. depending on grade level- 

clay craft available

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

 Eenie Meenie Halloweenie is about a kid trying to decide what to be for Halloween. So many decisions! But this author also had a million decisions to make before and after submitting to a publisher. Kids see the many decisions around writing and character and color etc. and in the process, learn about publishing. The story unfolds with technique videos and lots of examples culminating in the ultimate decision; should the author keep trying in the face of rejection?

MISTAKES & DETOURS-TRY, TRY AGAIN

Poppy’s Best Paper was inspired by the author’s own 4th grade paper. But rejections rolled in when Poppy started life as a blue raccoon made of clay. Kids see the process & results of perseverance. Videos and a Teacher’s Guide for Young Writers accompany the presentation

INSPIRATION, EXPLORATION, & PERSPIRATION

Where does inspiration come from? Is it a magical mystery available to only a few? Or is inspiration everywhere, in daily life, with events both high and low, in reading and research or even in rewriting familiar stories? Starting with The Worried Wiseman and including many of the author’s other titles, we explore how story ideas come to life.

“My students and I LOVED everything about the presentation!  Three specific things would be: the video showing the design process with the clay, reading of her book and sharing the message of, “Never give up!” and showing the kids the work that went into the process of the book making/getting published …”

L. DeFrese-Clayton Huey Elementary

 I am grateful to Susan Eaddy for sharing the details of her creative process with our fourth graders in a way they could easily engage with and understand. They felt heard and taken seriously when Susan thoughtfully answered all of their questions. Our virtual author visit with Susan Eaddy was a great expereince! 

 Mallory Nygard 

 St. John Neumann Catholic School

“Susan Eaddy unique style and engaging presentation offers a close-up view of what it is like to be an author and illustrator in a fun and inspiring way! “

K. Rafacz -Barfield Elementary    

“There is something for every kid in Susan Eaddy’s presentations: reading, writing, art,language. A child would be hard pressed not to relate to something in her creations. “

D. McInerney- Clayton Huey Elementary

Susan, I can't tell you how inspiring your presentations were for the children. They were truly spellbound listening to your stories, and I think they could have asked you questions all day long. We'll continue to use what we learned from your experiences…

3rd Grade Team at USN

Make a Monkey Tree! Click the video!