I offer both Picture Book presentations and Creative Writing workshops. My 5 picture books are centered on themes such as rejection/belonging, kindness/friendship, trying new things, etc. These stories are delightful for young ones, catering to their imagination, and are not preachy! My Picture Book Presentation consists of pre-reading Q&A, picture book reading, digital presentation of writing-illustrating-publishing process, and post-presentation Q&A. This is suitable for one time sessions for grades K-2. My Creative Writing workshops consists of helping young writers to create their individual story outlines which they then use to begin writing their story drafts. I read their drafts and give them personalized feedback for them to use in their new drafts. These workshops are suitable for multiple sessions and for grades 3-5. For references, see my website. My credentials include having a Creative Writing degree from Columbia University and I was also a former ELA/ENL Teaching Fellow.

Dj Willy WOW is a Grammy Nominated children's artist who provides an array of kid friendly DJ Services, Live Performances, Character Shows that highlight the importance of doing the right things in home, school and preserving nature. He is also a burst of energy that electrifies family friendly radio stations across the world. This year DJ Willy WOW is celebrating 20 years of many adventures and his continued mission to bring positivity into the development of young hearts and minds of all people!

We offer several performers from our roster for BOCES Programs.

Page Turner Adventures’ Story-Powered shows are a unique blend of Immersive Theater, Circus, and non-stop Audience Participation that take a book from the PAGE TO STAGE! Every child in the audience becomes the hero of the story, making choices, solving problems, and impacting the outcome. It’s a visceral experience that turbo charges a passion for reading and writing that kids will never forget. PLUS…. Every teacher at the show gets a LITERACY WONDER BUNDLE link which includes an Ebook, Animated Video, Audiobook, Craft, Writing Guide, Reader’s Theater Script or PDF Puppet Kit all BASED ON THE SHOW the kids just saw! So the laughter and learning continue long after the curtain closes.

The day-to-day life of children and teens can be hectic and challenging on multiple levels. Experiencing stress, anxiety and exhaustion can affect physical and emotional well-being, social relationships, academic success and sleep. Rooted Movement Classroom Yoga offers students skills and experiences that can help increase self-awareness and build resilience. As an embodied practice of mindfulness, yoga asks us to pay attention to what we are feeling, both physically and emotionally, in the present moment. These practices can send signals of safety back to the brain and soothe the nervous system. Our program (based on the work of Jennifer Cohen Harper’s Little Flower Yoga) focuses on five main areas: 1. Connection to oneself, one’s environment and others. 2. Breathwork, which promotes communication between the body and the nervous system. 3. Movement to help process stress hormones and give our students a sense of being strong, flexible and capable. 4. Focus Practice: when we can observe our minds wandering or becoming fixated on negative thoughts, we can bring the mind back to the object of focus and improve our capacity to stay present in the moment. 5. Relaxation to alleviate stress and tension. Whether in a single classroom session, an interactive workshop or over the course of a residency, students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of techniques, so they can gain some experience and deepen their own relationships with these practices. Teaching Themes around which we can develop a program to serve your students: 1. Interoception: what does your body feel like on the inside? 2. Building strength: how our bodies can teach our minds that we’re strong 3. Yoga in a Chair: learning yoga snacks you can do throughout the day 4. Mindfulness meditation and relaxation to down-regulate the nervous system 5. Balance practices 6. Spacial awareness and proprioception 7. Building a collaborative community through movement 8. Our brains, our bodies, our nervous systems and movement (4th grade and up) 9. Imaginative practices: connecting yoga poses to seasonal imagery, animal world, relevant classroom curriculum, etc. (K-3) 10.Dealing with challenges in a playful way 11.Self-reflection Professional Development: Rooted Movement also offers professional development for teachers and staff, including self-care programs and yoga/mindfulness tools that can be integrated into the classroom. Some Professional Development Topics: Basic Yoga Core Conditioning Chair Yoga Restorative Yoga for Deep Relaxation Breathwork and Meditation Applying Yoga for Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Traveling shop class is a unique program that makes wood working accessible and safe for students grades PreK-8. Students learn about a trade that is both a career and an art form. Students get to make wood sculptures with specialized tools in a safe environment; all materials and supplies provided. With guidance and one-on-one attention, students will design and create their own unique wood sculpture to make and keep. Traveling shop class easily aligns with any visual arts curriculum addressing goals for sculpture, critical thinking and problem solving, culture and careers. Traveling shop class addresses the NYS standards for the visual arts for creating and connecting. Students will generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. They will organize and develop their ideas and work experimenting with forms, materials and artmaking approaches, balancing experimentation with safety and responsibility, while interacting in ways that enhance and empower their lives. Through artmaking students develop awareness, knowledge and experiences, and solve artistic problems. Part of the traveling shop class presentation is about environmental conservation which has cross curricular connections to science goals for habitats. 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, social skills, communication, flexibility, problem solving, productivity, adaptability, curiosity and imagination, self-direction and perseverance are embedded as students plan and build, share, take turns, make corrections, and practice safety. Traveling shop class programming is easily adaptable for unique school-wide or individual class experiences including a modified format to be inclusive of all abilities.

The Reppin Fitness Live Puppet Show brings fitness and fun directly to your students! Brick Headstrong transforms your classroom or event location into an immersive and interactive fitness experience with his entire podcast studio. This unique show features Brick interviewing a special guest of your choice—whether it's your gym teacher, principal, or star student athlete—ensuring a personalized and memorable performance. With engaging fitness routines, practical healthy living tips, and dynamic content, Brick captivates and educates students, making fitness both fun and informative. Each 30-45 minute show is crafted to keep topics relevant and on point, inspiring kids to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Jumpin' Jamie performs "Kindie Rock" for all ages, puppets, and magic. Programs can include "Music and Puppets", "Music, Magic, and Puppets", "Magic show", "Puppet Show", and educational shows such as "Indiana Jamie Reading Show", "Jump Into Dinosaurs", and more. Jumpin' Jamie has performed thousands of shows for crowds from 12 to 12,000 including venues like Citi Field, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and American Dream.

I provide paintings, art prints, and photography services directly to clients. My work is featured in a number of private collections within (and beyond) Western New York. In 2016, I founded Avery & Harlow to grow my art business. I have individual and commercial clients, including Meet & Eat Charcuterie, Magic Bear Beer Cellar, Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, Trocaire College, Canisius University, and TEAM VIA (New York City Real Estate Advisors). I've donated art to Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Massachusetts Avenue Project, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (as part of the 2023 and 2024 6x6 fundraiser exhibition) and the WNY Women's Foundation. In addition, I'm a former instructor (specializing in business and marketing) for the Arts Management Program at University at Buffalo. I'm also a Teaching Artist and marketing consultant for GWFA Gallery in Hamburg, New York.

Award-winning illustrator and author Chris Soentpiet brings three decades of experience to his dynamic school visits, inspiring a lifelong love of reading and art. In thousands of schools worldwide, Chris has proven his ability to boost reading scores, increase library circulation, and improve school-wide morale. His engaging presentations are more than just a show. They are a valuable educational tool that aligns with Common Core standards and is perfect for kickstarting PARP programs. Chris expertly ties his visits into your curriculum, connecting with holidays and heritage months to make learning relevant and exciting. At a time when reading is declining, a visit from Chris Soentpiet provides the essential spark to get kids excited about books. He empowers students to express themselves through writing and drawing, showing them that their own stories matter. Book a visit to give your students an unforgettable experience that celebrates reading and the arts.

You Can Do a Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Meme, or Zine Categories: Creative Writing, Visual Arts Curriculum. Costs VIRTUAL PROGRAMS (ZOOM) One-hour interactive classes, unlimited participants: $500.00 LIVE IN-PERSON PROGRAMS One day: $1,200.00 Four days: $3,800.00 Eight days: $6,500.00 For venues more than 40 miles from Hudson, NY travel cost of $0.50 mile will be added. For venues more than 40 miles from Valatie, NY travel cost of $0.50 mile will be added. Available year-round. Program Theme: Students learn how to create a graphic novel beginning with a six page comic. It doesn’t matter if they can draw. Stick figures are an expressive way for the reluctant artist to begin. Participants are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and characters they may already be working on. They will learn about The Creative Process, how to write a Character Study, focus on the beginning, middle, end and twist of a story, and Create Layouts. If the program is an assembly, Barbara talks though the program with on-screen illustrations of the process. The school is to provide a computer, projector and screen. Program Description: Each program is custom tailored to the grade, number of students in the class, and number of sessions. If there are four or more sessions per class, the program finishes with a Graphic Novel Exhibition (see below). The Creative Process: 20 creative tips. Creating Characters: Participants complete bio sheets with the character’s name, age, best friend/side kick, powers (if any), biggest fear, life goal, etc. Plotting: Learning how to plot challenges the student to complete a story. Too many begin the story and throw it out somewhere in the middle. The student learns to plot by color code, a method used by film/tv/graphic novel writers. Layout: Participants learn about panels, thumbnails, dialogue balloons, sequence, and making a page pop. Rather than drawing “talking heads,” they draw a close-up, pull back for a long shot, followed by interior, exterior, bird’s eye views. Everybody works at their own pace. Some are advanced artists/writers while others are beginners. It doesn’t matter where they begin as long as they get going. I hand out a “character bible” sheet and encourage them to think about the beginning, middle, end and twist of their story. The twist is what makes the story interesting. I bring in samples of character bibles from Marvel comics which they can keep, and scripts written by professionals. Feedback is an important part of the program. It usually begins when I hold up a student’s drawing and ask them to suggest a name, age, or character trait. The student can take the suggestions or discard them, however, it opens up discussions. In the first session, students are sometimes quiet/shy with other students but by the second, they open up about their characters and stories. After the last workshop, the doors open to parents, friends, relatives, the community, and the local press. Students show and talk about their work…where they got their inspiration for characters/story. The “Graphic Novel Exhibition” attracts a lot of attention and often results in newspaper articles. Having artwork in the newspaper is great for a student’s self-esteem and for their portfolio. Copies of Barbara's textbook You Can Do a Graphic Novel can be ordered for the school library, and discounts are available from the publisher for class-size orders. http://youcandoagraphicnovel.com/students1.htm

The Author Village is a community of forward-thinking and award-winning children's book authors and illustrators and educators available for in-person and virtual school visits, library visits, festivals, conferences panels, workshops, professional development, and special events. Many of our authors are currently scheduling both in-person and virtual author visits for the 2024-2025 school year. For in-person visits (up to three presentations, lunch with a small group of students, and book signing), our authors charge between $2000.00 and $7500.00 (plus travel expenses), depending on the author. For full day virtual visits, our authors charge in the $1500.00-$4500.00 range, depending on the author. For individual 45-50 minute sessions, the authors charge between $750.00 and $2000.00, once again, depending on the author.