SCHOOL VISITS
Grades Pre K-1 (30 minutes): Carmen plays games and reads stories from Juan Bobo.

Grades 2-3 (45 minutes): Carmen shows slides from Puerto Rico, tells stories about growing up in Puerto Rico and talks about her books.

Grades 4-up (1 hour): Carmen shows slides from Puerto Rico and speaks about her writing process and books.
 
Honorarium: In the Portland, Oregon metro area: $500 for a maximum of four presentations per day
Outside the Portland, Oregon metro area: $700 for a maximum of four presentations per day, plus transportation, meals and hotel.

PRESENTATIONS
Keynote Presentation (1 hour)
Honorarium: $750, plus transportation, meals and hotel.
 
Presentations in public libraries: (1 hour) Carmen plays games and reads from her books.
Honorarium: $200

WORKSHOPS
Writing Workshop for students: (A week one hour per day, no more than 25 students) The students will explore characterization, point of view, setting and conflict, and write a story.
Honorarium: In the Portland, Oregon metro area: $1000 per week
Outside the Portland, Oregon metro area: $2000 per week, plus transportation, meals and motel.

Family Writing Workshops: (2 hours): Families have fun writing stories.
Honorarium: $200

Workshop on Preserving Culture (2 hours): A fun, interactive workshop in which Carmen shows families that everyone has a culture and that we should pass it on to our children.
Honorarium: $200

Workshop for Writers (5 hours): Carmen speaks about the process of writing books for children and young adults. The participants explore characterization, point of view, setting and write a story.
Honorarium: $125 per participant

Comments about Carmen T. Bernier-Grand’s presentations and writing workshops Carmen has given presentations in Oregon, Washington, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

“Thank you very much for coming to our school. You have helped me see that I can do and be anything.” Jenny, Middle school student, Portland, Oregon.

“What a great visit! Jefferson students read about 3,000 books in April - you helped inspire them!” Principal, Jefferson Elementary School, New Britain, Connecticut.

“I enjoyed all three presentations I attended immensely and was impressed by the variety and stamina demonstrated at each one.” Leona Guthrie, Teacher, Dayton Elementary School, Dayton, Oregon.

“The parents spoke of how much they enjoyed your presentation for several days after they met you.” HIPPY program, Portland, Oregon.

“Thank you for working with ESL students from Peter Boscow Elementary School and speaking with parents through the Libros y Familias Forum. It was evident that both groups throughly enjoyed participating in your lively and creative presentations.” Carolyn Grenz, Title VII Coordinator, Hillsboro School District, Hillsboro, Oregon.

“My son told my husband very enthusiastically how much he enjoyed your talk.” Lindy Kwasowski, Parent, New Britain, Connecticut.

“I was impressed with the amount of work Carmen got out of my students.” Ms. Hendrickson, 4th grade teacher, Richmond School, Portland, Oregon.

“My class responded very well to Carmen. She held their attention and kept them focus on writing. She brought to my class a wonderful multicultural aspect and empowered them. I have a Hispanic girl who could really relate to Carmen. The girl was at the edge of her seat every time Carmen was in my class. Carmen helped her to not feel so self conscientious of her bilingualism and size.” Mr. Rainier, 4th grade teacher, Irvington School, Portland, Oregon.

“You did a fabulous job this year, a real superstar of the program. The teachers all raved about you.” Larry Colton, Director, Community of Writers, Portland, Oregon.

“Thank you for coming and working with my class. They learned a lot, especially about visualization and detail.” Sue Wilcox, Teacher, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon.

“You taught me how to have a beginning, middle, and end, that writers usually have similes and metaphors in their stories, and much more.” Alana, Student, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon.

“I had a lot of fun writing the story you helped me with. I got better at writing and that was my best story ever. I”m going to keep on writing.” Jack, Student, Laurelhurts School, Portland, Oregon.

“You taught us never to give up, and how to get all our ideas on paper.” Alexandra Greiner, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon.

“I learned that anyone can be a writer and that it takes many copies to make a book.” Taylor, Student, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon.

“Thank you for teaching us about detail, setting, plot, problem, solution.” Samantha, Student, Laurelhurst School, Portland, Oregon.

“Next time when you come bring your little toys.” Arturo Galvan, Student, Beach School, Portland, Oregon.

“I loved writing with you. When you said I was ready to do that for a living really inspired me. I have submitted the piece to TAG for the We Write anthology.” Stacey, Student, Beach School, Portland, Oregon.

“Thank you for teaching us how to make our stories great and thank you for being respectful to our class.” Salinas, Student, Beach School, Portland, Oregon.

“All the evaluators found your presentation to be terrific. Words like, `inspiring, exciting, energetic, fun, informative’ were everywhere.” Robin Koontz, Reginal Advisor, Society of Children’s Book Writers Oregon Retreat

“Your workshop at the Willamette Writers Conference was one of the best of the Children/YA workshops. I had heard you speak at the Willamette Writer’s conference several years ago and your talk then inspire me to spend more time writing children’s stories. This year your talk was not only encouraging but full of practical information that is relevant to several projects I’m working on right now.” Peggy Bird, Writer, Vancouver, Washington.

A great resource for planning school visits and presentations is Terrific Connections by Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz.