Author
Visits
In-Person or Virtual
Megan is happy to visit your school, library, book club, writing group, conference, or organization in-person. She’ll visit schools within approximately 50-mile radius of 97212, and will consider farther distances, with additional travel expenses.
She would love to visit virtually anywhere in the world!
If the prices and options below don't work for you, please contact Megan to work something special out! Any questions, don't hesitate to reach out and ask!
SILLY BUTTS: LITERACY THROUGH LAUGHTER
K-1st
30 minutes
We’ll read NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTTS and then talk about all the things that made it fun and hilarious to read.
Discussion topics may include:
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Our favorite characters and why we love them
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The parts of the book we thought were the funniest and why
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How laughter makes us feel and why it’s important
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How the English language can be so silly– homophones, puns, wordplay. So many ways to use words to make people laugh
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Q&A
BEAR BUTTS: A LESSON IN HOMOPHONES
Assembly 2nd and up
Workshop 3rd and up
45-60 minutes
We’ll read NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTTS and then talk about how I used homophones to write funny misunderstandings.
Discussion topics will include:
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What are homophones? Provide examples from the story, as well as additional examples. Ask students to think of more.
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How can they be used for humor? Provide examples from the book
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Why spelling and context clues are important– to avoid silly misunderstandings.
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Q&A
Activity:
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Create our own funny sentences and jokes using homophones.
Students will need paper, pencil and a flat surface.
BUTT SCIENCE: THE FACTS BEHIND THE BUTT JOKES
K- 3rd
45 minutes
We’ll read NO, IFS, ANDS, OR BUTTS and then learn some interesting and funny facts about our butts and digestive systems
Discussion topics include:
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Interesting butt facts
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Interesting fart facts
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Interesting poop facts
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Why are butts considered both funny and taboo? Why do some people think it’s inappropriate to talk about them?
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The importance of understanding our bodies and being able to talk about them using scientific names.
THIS VISIT IS DEFINITELY NOT CURSED: CREATIVITY AND LANGUAGE
K- 3rd
45 minutes.
We’ll read THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY NOT CURSED and then create our own imaginative curses using some mad-lib esque fill in the blanks.
Discussion topics include:
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What is a curse? Is it real or made up?
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Since curses are fictional, anyone can make up their own curse and story to go around it.
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What is a noun, a verb, and an adjective?
Activity: As a group, we create our own curse story by filling in the blanks of a curse template. The blanks will tell us when we need a noun, a verb, or an adjective. We’ll try to be as wacky as we can!
HOW TO WRITE FUNNY WORKSHOP
Grades 3-12 (1 hour)
Megan will lead a discussion about the funny elements of THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY NOT CURSED or NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTTS. She will teach, demonstrate, and then encourage techniques in comedy writing for kids (such as wordplay, juxtaposition, absurdity, and physical humor ). In interactive games, the group will use these same devices to come up with funny scenarios and jokes. This workshop is best for classrooms of up to 30 students with paper and pencils, sitting at desks or tables.
RAISING A PICTURE BOOK: FROM DIAPERS TO DUST JACKET
Grades 5-adult, (1 hour)
Megan will describe the stages of raising a picture book from the diaper years (lots of oopsies that need to be changed) to dust-jacket (a book's publication). She’ll describe the complex interaction between words and pictures in picture books, and how to use them to your advantage. She'll also include her advice for writing and for dealing with criticism. Ends with a Q&A. This presentation works for classrooms or small assemblies.
IDEAS ARE LIKE FARTS
Grades 3-adult, (1 hour)
In this brainstorming workshop, Megan will discuss how ideas are like farts-- everybody has them, nobody thinks theirs stinks. She'll talk about how inspiration is everywhere-- you just have to pay attention, but also how to know when an idea is a good one. She’ll provide a variety of fun writing prompts/ cards for students to generate their own ideas for any kind of story, and discuss a writer’s idea notebook. She’ll include tips for increasing creativity. This workshop is best for classrooms of up to 30 students with paper and pencils, sitting at desks or tables.
*Teachers must be present for all sessions.
*Book sale prior to author visit is requested.
For more info and rates contact:
