Steve does three assemblies a day (additional presentations possible). He's happy to sign books during the day or during lunch. Please have children write their names (first name only) on a Post-it note and stick on the title page of the book. Steve can present from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Steve can work with any size group of students. In all of his programs, Steve encourages children to bring their questions on 3 x 5 index cards for a question and answer session after each program. Programs for kindergarten are about 1/2 hour in length. Programs for 1st graders and up are 45 minutes or longer.

Steve will provide his own digital projector and computer.  Schools should provide the following for Steve's programs: a large screen, a large table set up beside the screen, a small table, cart or desk for the projector, an extension chord, a portable microphone, clip-on if possible, bottled water, and a room that can be darkened for an effective slide presentation.

Many schools that Steve visits enjoy the following programs:

ALL ABOUT TREE SWALLOWS
Grades: PreS to 4
Length of program: 30 - 45 minutes.
Using his book, SWALLOWS IN THE BIRDHOUSE, Steve documents through slides putting up a birdhouse, attracting tree swallows, the tree swallow life cycle and migration. He shares fascinating facts about tree swallows and tips on how to attract them to your backyard.


HOME SWEET HOME FOR TREE SWALLOWS
Grades: 3 to 8.
Length of program: 1 hour.
Steve leads a hands-on birdhouse-building workshop. Children learn how to build a well-made birdhouse that's a perfect home for tree swallows. Working in teams of between 3 and 5 every kid gets a chance to bang nails, tighten screws and help build a great birdhouse.


RAPPING ABOUT RAPTORS
Grades: 2 to 8.
Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Based on his book, IN GOOD HANDS, Steve documents through slides the rescue, rehabilitation and release of a barred owl. Students learn about hawks, owls, eagles and other fascinating raptors and begin to understand the concept of the predator-prey relationship. Steve shows owl pellets, raptor talons and beaks and leads the class in an owl hooting demonstration.


FROM BLANK PAGE TO BOOK
Grades: PreS to 8:
Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Steve takes children on a tour of some of his children's books from the original idea and the blank page through stages of writing, editing, rewriting, illustrating to printed book. Steve engages the class in a discussion about writing, editing, rewriting, journal keeping, photography, children's books and the publishing process. His show and tell includes his first manuscripts, rough sketches by the illustrator, color proofs and copies of the printed books He includes his personal history and anecdotes about how he came to "the writing life." He performs his bird-beak rap/poem called UNBEATABLE BEAKS on African drum. Children love to learn about the publishing process and where authors get ideas.


WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD WOLF?
Grades: 3 - 8.
Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Steve explores the fascinating world of the gray wolf and coyote. Based on his books, ONCE A WOLF and COYOTE - NORTH AMERICA'S DOG, Steve traces with a slide show the history of wolf and coyote hatred. He shows the role scientists have played in preserving the wolf in such places as Yellowstone National Park. Learn how scientists track wolves in the wild and how they are trying to reintroduce wolves into the Southwest and other places. Steve shows wolf and coyote skulls and a cast of a wolf track. The program ends in a group howl!

THE A, B, Cs OF MANATEES

Grades: 3-8

Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Steve takes kids, librarians, teachers and educators into the Spanish moss-draped backwaters and natural springs of Florida where the manatee swims. Through a slide presentation and numerous anecdotes, we’ll explore the manatee’s fascinating biology, we’ll meet the biologists that rescue and rehabilitate wounded manatees, and we’ll snorkel side-by-side with a manatee learning about its amazing adaptations. With a population of about 3,000 animals remaining in the wild, the manatee is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the United States. What are the threats to the manatee and what are biologists doing to save Florida’s gentle giant? As the author of the newly published children’s book (for grades 3rd and up) Saving Manatees, Steve shares his passion for the natural world and the remarkable manatees.

TO ARRANGE AN AUTHOR VISIT AND PROGRAM FEES PLEASE CONTACT STEVE SWINBURNE.