Author Visits with Melissa Trempe
Melissa is excited to visit schools and connect with young readers with her book LADYBUG LAUNCH: Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space. As a former elementary and middle school teacher, she hopes to spread a love for literacy and encourage others to pursue their passions. She is also available to present at your library, conference, or writing group.
If your organization is located greater than 50 miles from Philadelphia, there may be additional travel and/or accommodation expenses. Melissa would love to visit virtually anywhere in the world!
Testimonials
“Melissa Trempe was a guest author at our school and I cannot say enough about her enthusiasm and ability to engage all students. The assembly was personable, interactive, and educational. WOW, we learned so much… This experience taught students that writing is a process, takes time, and requires research, even for a children's book. The students and staff loved the assembly! I would highly recommend this event and am eager to bring Mrs. Trempe back to our school.”
Dr. Renee Mosser, Principal Manoa Elementary School Havertown, PA
“When Melissa visited Edward Heston, she was phenomenal with the kids! Students left Melissa's session excited to dive into their own copies of “Ladybug Launch" and empowered to never give up on their dreams!"
Katelin Beck, Edward Heston School
“Your presentation was really wonderful - it was informative, interactive, and inspirational all at once!”
Christine Greco, Wallingford Elementary
Melissa’s Upcoming Events
April 15 - Wallingford Elementary
April 16 - Manoa Elementary
April 18 - Edward Heston School
April 19 - Friends' Central
April 20 - Barnes & Noble 11:00 Reading, Craft, Q&A in Devon, PA
April 20 - Children's Book World 3:00 Reading, Craft, Q&A Haverford, PA
April 23 - Waldron Mercy School
April 24 - Little Explorers
May 3 - Baldwin Lower School
May 3 - Oak Ridge Elementary
May 8 - West Broad Street Elem.
May 10 - Agnes Irwin Lower School
May 9 - James Hobson Elementary
May 16 - Choconut Elementary
May 17 - Lathrop Street Elementary
May 20 - E.M.C. Elementary
June 1 - Bards Alley Bookstore 11:00 Reading, Craft, Q&A Vienna, VA
August 1-3 - Six York Library Events
August 2 - Bound Books York, PA 5:00 First Friday Event with Reading, Craft, Q&A
School Assemblies can be organized in various ways:
one whole school assembly
two split sessions (Gr. K-2 & 3-5)
single grade level
classroom workshop
Full Day Author Visit
Choose up to 3 sessions from the options below, plus a small group
lunch with the author (if desired), and book signing.
*Melissa has a K-6 & 7-8 ELA teaching certification,
but a teacher must be present at all sessions. Thank you!
*Book sale prior to author visit is requested. Melissa can assist with setting this up.
Large Group Assembies:
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY—Ideal for all grades K-6 45 minutes
Melissa will share how she became an author with an emphasis on never giving up and pursuing a dream. Melissa will also share the fascinating story-behind-the-story. Hear how she began working with co-author Dr. Natalia Ojeda who lives in Chile, and learn the inspiring details of how Natalia and her all-girls science class convinced NASA to send their ladybugs to space. Melissa will also share an overview of the publishing process and more! Melissa will include a quick tutorial of how to draw Luna the ladybug in an easy step-by-step demonstration that teachers may replicate in the classroom after the visit (pdf will be emailed). Presentation will end with Q&A.
Melissa adjusts this presentation to accomodate a younger (K-2) and older (3-5) audience.
BIG IDEAS/THEMES: Pursue your dreams! Never give up because failure is the key to success.
BECOMING AN AUTHOR: FROM PENCIL TO PUBLICATION—Ideal for older grades 4-6 45 minutes
Melissa will share the long road she traveled to becoming an author, with all the bumps and potholes along the way! Melissa will describe the steps of creating a picture book and show children that what they do in Writer’s Workshop is very similar to what authors do! From finding the seed of a story idea to brainstorming, drafting, and publication, we are all authors with stories worth sharing. Melissa will emphasize the importance of never giving up and share how revision was the key to getting her book published. Want to see the first draft of LADYBUG LAUNCH? It’s nothing like the published story you’ll see today! Melissa will include a quick tutorial of how to draw Luna the ladybug in an easy step-by-step demonstration. Presentation will end with Q&A.
BIG IDEAS/THEMES: What goes into the making of a picture book? There’s a storyteller in each of us. Believe in yourself!
Smaller Classroom Visits:
SCIENCE + READING = MAGIC! 40 minutes, Grades K-3 (max. 30 students)
Melissa will read LADYBUG LAUNCH in an intimate classroom setting, allowing students to ask questions. Students will then learn about the life cycle of a ladybug. If you book a visit during the spring, Melissa will bring a *terrarium with real ladybugs progressing through the stages of larva to pupa to adult. Students will learn ten fascinating facts about ladybugs in an interactive game, color the four stages of a ladybug, and watch a timelapse video of a ladybug transforming. Melissa will provide a ladybug craft and/or experiment that students can share with their families at home!
*NOTE: $20 additional fee if you’d like Melissa to bring live ladybugs.
NARRATIVE WRITING: MAKE YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK! 60 minutes, Grades 3-6 (max. 30 students)
Melissa will guide students through the process of writing their own picture books! Students will understand that a typical story has a character with a desire (what they want) and a problem (what is stopping them). Using a fun, interactive brainstorming activity, students will generate a picture book ideas. Students will use a story mountain to plot out a simple beginning, middle, and end. Finally, Melissa will demonstrate how to fold and cut just two sheets of paper to create a picture book for students to draft and sketch in. *She will also bring pre-made picture books for the students to work in!
BIG IDEAS/THEMES: YOU can make a picture book too!
