donna janell bowman author speaker
TRANSCRIPT
AboutDonna Janell Bowman's new picture book biography, Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness, illustrated by Daniel Minter, has garnered multiple starred reviews, and the accompanying Step Right Up Pledge of Kindness has been embraced by teachers, librarians, parents, and young readers. Ms. Bowman’s forthcoming titles include En Garde! Abraham Lincoln's Dueling Words, illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Peachtree, 2018), and King of the Tightrope: The Great Blondin Ruled Niagara, illustrated by Adam Gustavson (Peachtree, 2019). Previous publications include nonfiction books, and articles and short stories in nationally acclaimed magazines and anthologies. Additional fiction and nonfiction books are under way. Armed with an MFA in Writing, with a concentration on children’s and young adult literature, Ms. Bowman enjoys speaking to students and adult writers about her books and about the writing and publishing process. Today, she lives with her family and rescue pets in central Texas.
Newin2016!StepRightUp:HowDocandJimKeyTaughttheWorldAboutKindness,illustratedbyDanielMinterLeeandLowBooks,October2016
Starred reviews: Kirkus, PW, Booklist. 2016 JLG Selection 2017 ALA/ALSC Notable Book 2017 Orbis Pictus Recommended book
Donna Janell Bowman Author Speaker
www.donnajanellbowman.com [email protected]
School Visits Over
DownloadtheStep Right Up Kindness Pledge
Presentations
Note: Rates & presentations can be customized to fit particular needs.
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness. Programs surrounding
this book will include a PowerPoint presentation that includes relevant history as well as my nine-
year process of research and writing the book. Also, after an interactive discussion about what
kindness means, I will encourage kids to take the Step Right Up Pledge of Kindness, inspired by
the original circa 1899 pledge signed by two million people. (download the pledge from website)
Research is a Scavenger Hunt: Through an interactive PowerPoint presentation, I will introduce
some of the many research avenues available to writers. As a bonus, I will share some fascinating
accidental research finds, like an article about the Titanic disaster. I will explain the question-
answer-question process, as well as the challenge of organizing research and creating an outline.
When feasible, I will bring photos, original microfilm, 19th century newspapers, and artifacts. The
goal of this presentation is to encourage students to see research as a fun scavenger hunt.
Writing is Funtastic! I will incorporate the 6+1 writing traits into a presentation about the general
process, like where authors get their ideas, facing the blank page, and how a crummy first draft
evolves into a polished story through revision. What is theme? What is voice? How do you decide
where to begin and end? I will also discuss the difference between expository and narrative writing.
Optional writing prompts can turn presentations into mini workshops.
Bringing Fiction to Life: Students often struggle with the concept of story, with a character who
faces obstacles in pursuit of a goal. I will introduce the foundations of character development, plot,
point of view, voice, narrative arc, and the Hero’s Journey. I will discuss how, by accessing the
writer’s toolbox, story and characters come to life for the reader.
To book a school visit or for more information: [email protected] Or [email protected]
www.donnajanellbowman.com