In addition to school visits, John has addressed Reading Conferences, International Reading Associations, and Librarian Associations in Arizona, British Columbia, California, Indiana, Manitoba, Montana, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Washington State. He and partner Frank Edwards have presented at the International Reading Association's National Convention.

Read one of John's Books.

View a portfolio of John's work at JohnBianchi.com

Presentation

I try to do three things during my presentation: inform, entertain, and inspire. To accomplish this I usually divide my talk into two or three parts.

The first part is used for questions and answers. To illustrate my answers, I draw cartoons on an overhead and give the transparencies to the students.

I use the second part to show slides of my work, my home, my studio, my family, the neighborhood critters, or (depending on the questions) whatever else might interest the students.

In the optional third part, the students and I draw a cartoon together. My primary goal is to motivate students to read, write, and draw.

Try drawing a cartoon with me.

 

Preparation

By far the best way to prepare for a visit is to have the students read my books. If you have trouble obtaining them from your local supplier, please let me know. I have copies on hand or may know of someone in your area who can provide them.

Many ideas for class projects can be found at the Bungalo Books Web Site. These are projects that teachers have used over the years to prepare students for my visit.

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Setup

For my presentations I need the following:

    • a dark room suitable to show slides (The students usually sit on the floor.)*
    • a projector stand or small desk (I will bring my own slide projector.)
    • a projector screen or light colored wall
    • an overhead projector

 

 *Many schools have limited space and like to have as many students as possible attend a presentation. This is fine. However, for a quality presentation, crowded libraries or media centers work much better than gymnasiums. I will try to arrive at your school approximately 30 minutes before my first presentation to set up for my programs

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Schedule

It helps me a great deal to have a schedule of the day's events at least a week before I arrive at your school. I know that schools have to accomodate many regularily scheduled activities and I am therefore very flexible.

Because of scheduling conflicts, audiences are sometimes made up of a wide range of grade levels. In these cases, I will present to the higher levels. The younger students almost always want to be challenged.

My sessions are approximately fifty minutes long, and I limit the number to four per day. If needed, I will also make short visits to the morning and afternoon kindergartens.

I'm always happy to autograph books. Usually I can accomplish this between presentations and at the end of the day. If you would like books personalized (and if there is time) please include a post-it with the correct spelling of the student's first name.

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Reserving a Day

Please call 1-520-797-1076 to reserve a day. You are welcome to call anytime, but note that we live in Arizona and are never on Daylight Savings Time. During the summer months we are on Pacific Standard Time, and during the winter months we are on Mountain Standard Time.

Once we agree on a date, you may want to have your school send a purchase order. I will provide an invoice in advance. Please have your payment ready the day of my visit.

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Fees

For a complete breakdown of my fees please call: 1-520-797-1076

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Reviews

Listen to an audio review of The Swine Snafu

"Our own young authors learned so much. Your work with them will have lasting effects on each young life." Dave Stewart - Warminster, Ontario

"Your visit was such an adventure for our 250 students. A mom dropped into the office today to tell me about her 'Michelle' who has never shown so much excitement over anything."
Jan Hulland - Medonte South Central

"Three years after your visit, you continue to have an impact" Senta Ross - John Darling Elementary School

"Students and parents are the final test, and their excitement is most extraordinary." Mary Morris - Show Low Unified School Dristrict

"You have inspired, motivated, and enriched everyone you came in contact with. It was a pleasure to have you here." Susan Powell - Principal, Porter Elementary School.

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References

  • Karla Labernik Title 1 Reading Specialist, Spencer, Iowa.
  • Linda Hoke, Coordinator Warsaw Community Schools Elementary Libraries, Warsaw, Indiana.
  • Sara Medalen, Title 1 Reading Specialist, Minot, North Dakota.
  • Melinda Murphy, Media Specialist, Cy-Fair School District, Houston Texas.

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All illustrations © John Bianchi and cannot be used without permission. Bungalo Books® and Bungalo Boys® are registered trademarks of Bungalo Books®