Leslie Barnard Booth
children's book author
AUTHOR VISITS
Cultivating Curiosity
As a former teacher, I enjoy visiting schools, libraries, and nature centers. I have taught at preschool, elementary, and college levels, and I hold an MS in education and an MFA in creative writing.
Author visits focus on creativity and curiosity, and on STEM and literacy topics. Visits affirm children's (and adults') connection to nature. All visits are informed by a growth-mindset philosophy that acknowledges and encourages bravery in both science and the arts!
Visits range from workshops to storytimes to whole school assemblies, and can be held in person or online. Custom events are available.
Presentations
All About Crows
45 minutes (grades k-5)
Featured book: I Am We
What are the keys to crow survival? In this interactive presentation, learn how crows collaborate to find food, solve problems, and stay safe from predators. Play a game to explore crow vocalizations and try some tricky puzzles crows have been able to solve.
Getting to Know a Tree
45 minutes (grades k-5)
Featured book: One Day This Tree Will Fall
Using puppets, props, and items collected from nature, Leslie leads an interactive exploration of a tree's life cycle and introduces students to the diverse wildlife that depend on trees at every life stage.
Rocks Rock!
45 minutes (grades k-5)
Featured book: A Stone Is a Story
Leslie brings her Traveling Rock Museum and guides students in an exploration of rocks, the stories they hold, and what they can tell us about Earth's deep past. Includes interactive Mystery Rock guessing game.
Our kids LOVED your visit. And our teachers commented on it being our best author presentation ever!
Katrina Hall, school librarian
What an authentic, curiosity-filled experience for our 3rd graders! I could see their wheels turning the entire time you were presenting. This will be one of those school experiences they remember.
Lisa Collins, teacher
You have a tremendous gift, and we were honored to receive it this week! We will ride this wave of curiosity as we write our own books this month!
April Johnston, teacher
Pricing
In-Person
Single Presentation: $300 (one 45-minute session)
Half Day: $500 (two 45-minute sessions)
Full Day: $700 (three 45-minute sessions, plus lunch with a small group)
All visits include a book signing.
Please note that travel expenses may be added for out-of-state travel or travel more than 60 miles from Portland, OR.
Virtual
Single Presentation: $200 (one 30-minute session)
Half Day: $300 (two 30-minute sessions)
Full Day: $400 (three 30-minute sessions)
All virtual visits include signed bookplates, mailed to your school at no additional cost (limited to USA).
Modeling a Growth Mindset
Sample Q & A with elementary students
How do you think of ideas for books?
I get ideas by talking to my kids and spending time in nature. I have two daughters and whenever we're outdoors together, they have great questions and observations. One day my daughter asked me, "Where do rocks come from?" That's why I wrote this book. I thought her question was so great because it seems simple, but it's not. Every rock has a fascinating story, and because rocks are shaped by what happens to them, if we look closely, sometimes we can figure out what that story is.
I love reading, talking to scientists, and going out in nature and seeing rocks for myself. I use all these methods to do research for my books. I get so hungry for knowledge when I'm researching a topic. The more I learn, the more questions I have, and the more I want to know. I know about rocks because I studied them, and I plan to continue studying them, because I still have more to learn!
What is your favorite rock?
I think my favorite rock is fossiliferous limestone because it is made of the shells and skeletons of ancient sea creatures, and those fossils are often visible. Looking at fossils transports me back in time and shows me how much Earth and its creatures have changed. I also just love the fact that rocks can be made of the remains of living things. And that living things are made (in part) of minerals that were once part of rocks! This type of rock reminds me that all of nature is connected, and that we are a part of nature too.
How do you know so much about rocks?
What's your advice for someone who wants to be a writer?
To be a writer, you've got to do four things: read, write, revise, and not give up! Revising can be hard; it takes a lot of patience. But it's also freeing. I love that you can change your mind in writing. You can erase and start again, and you can always learn, grow, and imagine something new.
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