Adult Programs |
Children's Programs |
Testimonials |
Appearances |
Presentations
Do you need someone to speak to librarians, teachers, religious groups, college students, high school students, children as young as six, or the general public? Do you need someone to give a poetry reading, a story hour, a workshop, or a lecture? Are you looking for a poet, a children’s book author, a book reviewer, an art dealer, an illustrator’s agent, or all of the above? Please read the testimonials below and call or email for fees and scheduling.
Some Recent Programs for Older Grades, Adults, and TeachersEach talk is individually geared to your particular group and I rarely repeat the same session twice, but the list below will give you an idea of some previous lectures (and please note that even when discussing serious subjects, my presentations are fun, funny and engaging). Am I celebrating Diversity? Or am I part of the problem? What is a writer to do if you are interested in exploring cultural traditions outside of their own? Are you celebrating or exploiting, and where is the border between the two? Lipman Pike: America’s First Home Run King Learn about the earliest days of baseball and the events that led to the formation of the first professional league in 1871. Hear the true story of Lipman Pike, the Jewish boy who became the very first professional baseball player and America’s first Home Run King. Understanding Social Justice Through Picture Books: How to teach about social justice to the very young. Busing Brewster:The history of segregation, unequal education and forced busing in America; and why in the world would anyone want to write a picture book about busing! How to make every mistake in the book and still get your picture book published. Picture Book 101: the basics of writing, submitting, and getting picture books published. How much Fiction can fit in a Non-Fiction Picture Book: Where do you draw the line between fact and interpretation? Or between story and history? As Good As Anybody: The story behind the writing of the book that won the 2009 Sydney Taylor Gold Medal, and which Amazon.com called one of the 12 Best Books of the Decade. Jewish Children’s Picture Books: Then and Now: a brief survey of the history of Jewish picture books in America – what they tell us about how we see ourselves, how others see us and how such material can function as a potent tool for Jewish continuity.
Turning Autobiography into Picture Books: How Much Is True, How Long Did It Take to Write and How Much Money Do You Make? Too Young for Yiddish: How Language Affects Culture; Jewish Identity in the American Melting Pot You Want to Do What?: Choosing the Career of a Poet and Children's Book Writer in Contemporary America. Art and Literature of the Holocaust: The Morality of Using Tragedy to Create Works of Art How Young Is Too Young?: Picture Books about the Holocaust The Art of Collaboration: How Artists and Writers Work Together to Create Picture Books Some Recent Programs for Younger Audiences
I do readings and talk about the making of my books, and the importance of story. I love to get the kids excited about poetry and art; and many continue to send me projects long after I’ve left their school. Eavesdrop and Gossip: Learning to Love Poetry: I guarantee the most fun fifty minutes of poetry. Your students will fall in love with words. Animals That Ought to Be: Art and Poetry A is for Abraham: (Jewish Day Schools, and Synagogues) What is the best thing about being Jewish! And why we should respect other traditions. Ten Times Better and A Book of Flies: Real and Otherwise: How Math, Science and Poetry Can Work Together Too Young for Yiddish: (This talk can be adapted for all cultures). I encourage children to ask questions of their elders, and explain why it is important to learn about your heritage. We also discuss what the older generation can learn from their children and grandchildren. Oh No, Not Ghosts?: A traditional read aloud, with children playing the 'scary' parts. Perfect for Halloween.
Testimonials"Thank you again for such a meaningful, educational, and interesting learning experience!!! You truly engaged our students about topics that are extremely important in today's world." "We thought it was gonna be boring, and it was really interesting!!!" "Everyone at 826 Boston and at the Mission Hill school was thrilled with your visit--your humor and creativity came through in all of your sessions. You got the kids thinking about how we generate ideas and stories, how pictures and words interact with each other, and how telling a story about a hard issue makes it real for the writer and the reader." "Our participants
loved your talk...You made everyone feel special." "Richard
Michelson is not only a terrific writer but a wonderful storyteller.
As our keynote speaker he captivated the audience with intriguing
personal life stories that evoked serious reflection on current
and relevant social issues. Rich is a thoughtful inspiring speaker
with something to say!"
"The feedback,
based on your wonderful presentation would make you blush. Everyone
mentioned your humility, your manner, and the quality of your readings.
Thank you for giving us an evening we will not soon forget... Please
come again." "Thoughtfully
and beautifully conceived and presented... listening to your words
that evening, I could not help but feel their lyrical and literary
quality. Our audience was clearly captivated and everyone in attendance
let me know how much they enjoyed the experience." "There was
a keen interest from the audience for your enlightening and enjoyable
talk. It was a profitable experience in both senses of the word." "Your contribution
made our conference a fulfilling day for all who attended. Comments
on your presentation included the words inspiring, humorous, fantastic,
and informative. Thank you for so strongly enhancing our program." "Thoughtful, witty, genuine are just a few words of a long list to describe the extraordinary events we conducted with Mr. Michelson. He was wonderful with the children at University School of Nashville, easily keeping them captivated and giggling, and his lecture at our library brought up complex issues, proving very enlightening to our faculty and teacher education students." "Thanks so much for coming to the Clemson Literary Festival and Family Day ...I've been getting stopped all over town with parents telling me how much their children enjoyed the event."
Selected Residencies/Recent Speaking EngagementsCheck Richard’s Calendar for Upcoming Events for a more complete list of schools and festivals visited. 2010
Boston Book Festival Skirball Cultural Center 2009
Association of Jewish Librarians Convention
Anti-Defamation League 2008
Clemson University - Richard J. Calhoun Distinguished Reader in American Literature for 2008. Dover Reads 2008 - Tuttle’s Red Barn - A Community Wide Reading Project for both young and old. Associated Writers Program Conference, NYC: 2007
Simmons College -Center for the Study of Children's Literature - Lecturer Boston College -Foundation for Children's Books - Keynote Speaker 2006
Association of Jewish Librarians, Guest Speaker
at Annual Convention. 2005
Jewish Family Services,Springfield, Massachusetts:
Keynote Speaker at Annual Convention.
2004
Mazza Museum of International Art, Findlay, Ohio
- The world's largest museum devoted to literacy and the art of
children's picture books: One-week residency lecturing to teachers
and librarians. 2003
Greater Hartford Connecticut Jewish Book Festival:
Guest Lecturer. 2002
Book & Arts Fair, Houston, Texas: Guest Lecturer - One-week residency.
|
||||
No
and I Can't Dance Either: Writing Across Racial Lines—What are the benefits and pitfalls of writing outside of your racial, and cultural experience, and the validity in crossing lines. Where do we draw the thin line between stereotype and truth.
