IllustratorAuthor.com - your link to illustrators & authors
Page McBrier is a teaching
artist, writing consultant, and the author of over 50 books for young
readers.Her award-winning picture
book, Beatrice's Goat, is based on the true story of a young Ugandan girl who
realized her dream of attending school after receiving a dairy goat from Heifer
International and selling the extra milk to her neighbors to pay for school
fees.
The book
spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, was featured on the
Today Show, Oprah, and Good Morning America, and has received numerous honors,
including a Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, a Children's Africana Book Award
and a Christopher Award for a work that "affirms the highest values of the
human spirit."
The
Beatrice's Goat powerpoint presentation (all ages) combines photos of Page's
trip to East Africa to research the story; updates on the "real" Beatrice; conversations about the writer's process from research to revision; and
comments and photos on some of the ways rural areas in East Africa are fighting
poverty and hunger through the simple gift of an animal.
In 2008,
to complement Heifer International's expanded global education curriculum, Page
traveled to Arkansas, China, and Armenia to research and write three new
picture books.The Chicken and the
Worm; Winter in Songming; and Once There Was and Was Not: A Modern Folktale
from Armenia highlight Heifer's work in these communities.
Programs
The
Chicken and the Worm
(for pre-k/k/1 audiences)In this fun, hands-on workshop, Page brings in her worm
compost bin and introduces the class to her red wiggler worms, nature's
composters.She shares her book,
and then shows the students how the idea for a conversation text between a
chicken and a worm came about.As
a final activity, Page helps the students create an original interactive song
based on what they've just learned.
Winter in
Songming
(most appropriate for grades 2-4).Set in rural China, this picture book tells the story of how
a young boy helps the men in his village build a new addition onto his family's
house.This presentation, inspired
by a true event, includes photos of Page's research trip to the village; the
writing and revision process; and a conversation on some of the other ways
Heifer has worked with this community to improve their quality of life,
including the introduction of biogas.
Once
There Was and Was Not: A Modern Folktale from Armenia (most appropriate for
grades 3-6)This modern day
folktale is based on a true story about a friendship between three Armenian
boys who raise a calf together in their small village.The powerpoint assembly presentation
includes slides of Page's research trip to the village; how and why she decided
to write it in the style of an Armenian folktale; and why Heifer is supporting
after-school clubs in Armenia.
Fee for
all programs: $1,000/day for up to four one-hour presentations (travel/lodging
additional).Assemblies can be "mixed and matched. (Educators!Get this!Heifer's grade-level Global Education Resource Kits, which
include the picture books, DVD's, maps and lesson plans can be ordered for free
from www.heifereducation.org.)
