"Ruth McNally Barshaw is an entertaining and humorous presenter. She is able to
teach her audiences that their thoughts, words, and pictures have meaning
and are important enough to document. While drawing, the author informs listeners
on how to get ideas for writing by drawing first, then using call outs, and finally
illustrating a story arc. Using a hands on approach, Mrs. Barshaw keeps students
actively engaged by having them doodle along with her. Highly effective!"
-- Liz Voorheis, MLIS, Head of Children & Teen Services,
    Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan. May, 2010

Bring me to your library!
See this page for details: Library visits

For fun stuff for students, go here:  Freebies page

Bring me to your school!
I’m an energetic speaker, happy to educate and entertain
audiences of all ages with my on-the-spot sketching.
Session content for each age depends on the audience.

What to expect:
Academic, practical, fun, audience-targeted presentations, always.
I take seriously what each age group wants or needs from my visit.
Most kids leave my sessions excited about creativity and journalling.
Would you like more details? see this page: Detailed description
--> Know that I am happy to tailor the presentation to your needs.

Prepare before I come:
Please make the students familiar with my books.
Introduce my work before I arrive, so students know what I do.
    If they know my books we can make better connections and speak on
    a higher level. Students will get more out of the presentation.
    NOTE: I don't spend much time talking about my books in my events.
    I talk instead about the process to produce them, the author path,
    rejection, revisions, perseverance, and the author inside each of them.
I have teacher guides for the books and a guide for 6 Traits Writing with
Ellie McDoodle, (lots of other stuff too)
They are all on the freebies page:
Click here to see the freebies page. 
Email me if you need anything that isn't mentioned.

What to provide, the day of the event, please:
-Microphone for any presentation to more than 20 students.
-Teachers in attendance.
-Projection screen and access to electrical outlet.
    NOTE: New in 2010-11: I will bring my document camera and projector.
    Please have available an old-fashioned overhead transparency projector
    (or document camera) in the unlikely case of trouble with my equipment.
-Small table for my projector, doc. camera, transparencies & props.
    (Ideal: a 2 x 3 foot table)
-Lunch if I'm there all day.
    NOTE: My writer-husband might come with me.
    We don't expect you to pay for his lunch.
-Pencils and plain paper in each student's hand as they come in
  (Teachers usually enjoy drawing along with us, too)
-Water to keep my voice going (thank you!).
-Book sales if possible. I'm happy to personalize books.

If it's an out of state visit please provide:
-Easel
-Easel drawing pad (without lines preferred but I'm flexible)
(I use 8-12 sheets per presentation, you keep the finished art)
- Overhead transparency projector (or doc. camera and projector)

Book sales: See this page for all of the information you'll need.

Scheduling: Best is 3 or 4 sessions per day of the following lengths:
Grade 2 and up: 45-75 minutes
Grade 1: 40 to 60 minutes
Kindergarten: 30-40 minutes
Preschool: 15-30 minutes
- When scheduling presentation time, please consider the time it takes
for students to arrive in the room and be seated.
- When presenting to K-8th grade in one sitting, I aim for the middle grades
and try to keep things moving quickly so nobody has time to get bored.
- Please consider alerting the art teacher and any other staff who might
have a special interest in parts of my presentation.
Time between sessions: Ten minutes is good.
Start time: Mid-morning is best so we can get our daughter to school first,
but I'll work with what's best for your school.
See this page for my school visit calendar.

Best presentation room: The library (no bouncing sound).

My rate: $800 for a day of 3 or 4 presentations, plus travel expenses;
or $275 per session for half-day visits (2 sessions = $550), plus travel.
Extra sessions (preschool, etc) $50 each.
Travel = 50 cents/mile (IRS 2010 rate). 
I live in south Lansing, Michigan, zip code 48911.

If you need pictures, book cover art, etc., click here, the media page.
You can download anything there, or contact me if you need more.

Contracts: Need a contract? A W-9 form? Contact me.

Email me: ruthexpress@aol.com

Budget constraints? Let me know.
Advance book sales can help pay for my visit

Publicizing the event: Download this edit-able form, add your info, and print!

(this page last updated July 12, 2010)