Author Visits

I like to create author visits curated to your needs and interests. I’m passionate about educating kids about the environmental impact of food waste and offering fun, empowering presentations to help students realize their potential as planet-saving superheroes!

FRIDGE-OPOLIS was named the 2022 Writers’ League of Texas Discovery Award Winner and is a playful introduction to food waste, recycling and composting. It’s chocked full of:

Wordplay, rhyme and puns
Anthropomorphic food characters
“Food for Thought” backmatter

Perfect for: Green teams—Earth Day—Stop Food Waste Day—Environmental science units—Nature classrooms—Conservation & waste reduction efforts

Contact Melissa with questions, rates and to schedule!

Program Descriptions:

STORYTIME

Read aloud of FRIDGE-OPOLIS, followed by a short activity and Q&A.

(30 minutes)

FOLLOW THAT STRAWBERRY!

Where does our food come from? What is food waste? We’ll explore our food system and the resources it requires, including an eye-opening, two-minute “from farm to fridge” video. This presentation offers a basic introduction to the environmental impact of food waste and landfills to tangible, earth-friendly solutions such as recycling and composting. A great addition and/or combination with a read-aloud of FRIDGE-OPOLIS to nurture environmental awareness. Optional Q&A. (30-45 minutes)

KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL

ADD-ON for AUSTIN AREA SCHOOLS

Looking for hands-on, green activities (like vermicomposting) to accompany a FRIDGE-OPOLIS storytime and/or presentation? I love to team up with Keep Austin Beautiful/Generation Zero Waste, a free youth education program, created in partnership with Austin Resource Recovery (based on availability) to visit your school together.

The program engages students in three TEKS-aligned educational and interactive activities that raise awareness about recycling, composting and conservation while giving students simple solutions for reducing their waste. The curriculum is divided into grade levels K-2^nd and 3^rd-5^th, with a different focus for each. (*Independent kits, lesson plans and materials are also available for approximately 30 students.*)

Recycle Relay— Practice sorting trash and discover what makes up our waste-stream with this recycling relay game.

Compost Critters— Explore the science of composting and vermicomposting. Yes, worms!

What’s in the hole? – Landfill science for elementary age kids. Compare and contrast characteristics of waste, what’s in our trash, and how trash is processed in a landfill while building mini landfill models.

THE WRITE STUFF: MAKING A PICTURE BOOK

How does an idea become a book? Melissa will share the journey from first draft to published book and dive into the creative writing process. Themes include drafting, revision, illustration, publishing basics, and more. A great way to encourage budding authors to put pencil to paper and persevere! Q&A (30-45 minutes)

Couldn’t find what you’re looking for?

Melissa will customize a presentation to meet the needs of your students!

Virtual Author Visit

LIVE Q&A (VIRTUAL ONLY)

Ask Melissa anything! Since 30 or 45 minutes can fly by quickly, it’s best to compile a list of 5-6 or 7-8 vetted student questions. A little time can be reserved at the end of each live Q&A session for impromptu questions.

(30-45 minutes)