My presentations are tailored to your occasion, goals, and audience. I can present in English or Spanish.
Click on the red buttons to learn about programs and book orders:
PICK A DATE
It’s a good idea to invite the author/illustrator 6 months to 1 year ahead of your scheduled event. The earlier you plan, the more likely you’ll get your choice of dates. For regular school visits prepare to be flexible in finding a date that works for everyone.
CHOOSE A PROGRAM
Think of the age group you’d like to reach and select a program accordingly. Lulu will work with you to achieve your specific goals.
CONTACT LULU
Lulu presents up to three school programs at the same venue in one day. An evening family program on overnight visits may be added. The host will provide an honorarium plus travel expenses. Written confirmation is required. If an invoice or other paperwork is needed please contact the author in advance so payment is ready on the day of the visit.
Should your school need help with the honorarium, read about 35 Ways to Fund Author Visits.
PREPARE THE AUDIENCE
Make sure the students are familiar with Lulu’s work. They’ll be excited about the visit, be attentive and ask good questions.
PUBLICIZE THE EVENT
The more people know about the event, the better the turnout!
ORDER BOOKS
Think of including the latest release from Lulu in your book order. Lulu will sign all the books you purchase.
45 min. Lulu teaches gentle games from Arrorró mi niño, tells the story behind the creation of Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America, and dances game-songs from Arroz con Leche and Shake it, Morena! with selected students. Recommended for Pre K-1.
45 min. Lulu tells how she became an illustrator and author of books in English and Spanish. She shares how she used the Latino equivalent to the I Spy game to define the concept of essential work in the story. She shows how she created the collage art; and how students can become co-authors with Marisol. A discussion ensues about who and why is essential in the school community. With school support this program can have an additional interactive component where Lulu and the students recreate Marisol's I SEE YOU collage. Recommended for Pre-k-3rd and adapted according to grade level.
45 min. A reading of the story Fiery Bomba while readers see its illustrations on a screen. Lulu then explains the process in the making of a book. A fun program in which kids learn the basics of the bomba musical genre and its call-and-response tradition. Recommended for grades 1- 3.
45 min. A reading of Queen for a Day, a slide show that explains the process in the making of a book, and a peek at an authentic vejigante costume. Recommended for grades 1- 3.
45 min. Which is the tallest tree in the world? Which one the heaviest? How can a tree have bark like a rainbow? Is there a tree that goes back to the time of the dinosaurs? Do trees talk to each other? Which one is your favorite tree? Why trees? Lulu explains the process of creating Cool Green and Verde fresco and reveals how to tap into your heritage, and interests, to come up with stories. End with a choice of planting a “moringuita” in a pot provided by the school or with Lulu guiding the audience into a short writing exercise about a favorite tree. Binlingual. Perfect for K-2 Arbor Day, National Love a Tree Day, and Earth Day Q&A time included
45 min. Learn about the discovery of the Olinguito and the cloud forest. Marvel at the flora and fauna that coexist with the Olinguito, from a rare Pinocchio lizard to the spectacled bear. Learn about the extensive research behind the book. This program stresses the interconnected life in the cloud forest and the importance of preserving this ecosystem. Perfect for Earth Day, poetry month, and summer reading. Recommended for grades 1-4.
45 min. We explore how special foods spark fond family memories, and how these memories can be transformed into stories. A reading of a story, an explanation of the creative process behind the book and the powerful role of family anecdotes. A slide show explains the printing process used for the illustrations. Recommended for grades 3-5.
After reading a short story from Us, in Progress Delacre shows students the process of creating fiction inspired by an article in the news. Then she guides students to begin their own story as they ponder a time when they found themselves in a situation and would have liked a different outcome. Recommended for grades 4-6.
45 min. Can you think of someone you care about who’s been treated unfairly after an event? We explore how writing fiction based on true events helps process difficult emotions. I share the writing and illustration process. Recommended for grades 5-7. Six graders love this one!
An in-depth look into the research process that informed the art of Sonia Sotomayor's autobiography for children. This program may be combined with any of the RAFI AND ROSI SERIES programs.
"The “Arroz Con Leche” game and dancing “Shake it Morena!” were a real hit!"
– Rachel Klein, Media Specialist, Clifton Avenue Grade School, Lakewood, NJ
"Our kids absolutely lit up when she began speaking in Spanish. From that moment they were hooked."
– Kari Kain, Librarian, Clearview Elementary, Herndon, VA
45 min. Lulu Delacre explains the steps in the making of Alicia Afterimage. She describes the interview process, the challenges of multiple voices and points of view, the use of voice to develop character, and the search for clarity in placing memories in the past or distant past. She talks about the importance of revising and editing and the thought process in the final selection of images for the book. Reading the book prior to the visit is highly recommended. This is a program that brings to the foreground thought-provoking themes for teens dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one. A question and answer period is included.
Recommended for grades 8th -11th and/or older English language learners.
"My students were visibly moved to meet Lulu one-on-one and to have her sign copies of her book.... She has touched their minds and hearts forever through her words and actions."
– Ann A. Kennedy, Ph.D., Reading Specialist, Arlington Career Center, Arlington, VA
"...our staff and students were truly touched by what you shared with them....it will be more than just a highlight for this school year to them."
– Jerry Michel, Vice Principal, Lincoln Hall, Lincolnwood School District 74, Chicago, IL
45 min. Lulu plays gentle games with the little ones, dances game-songs from her island of Puerto Rico with older kids, and takes the whole family in an imaginary voyage with the paintings and poetry of How Far Do you Love Me? A good choice for audiences with very young children.
45 min. Join Lulu as she plays some of the song games of Arrorro mi niño, and reads one of the stories of Rafi and Rosi: Music! Learn about her latest collection, Us, in Progress: Short Stories About Young Latinos. A perfect program for Libraries or School Family Nights.
30 to 45 min. This presentation focuses on the books Arrorró mi niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games, Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America and Salsa Stories. I explain why I felt the need to create Arroz con Leche. I share some of the gentle games of Arrorró. I read a story from Salsa Stories and explain how I created the art. We end dancing the arroz con leche game song. With the host's help, a sampling of Salsa Stories' recipes may be offered.
Recommended for all ages including adults. A perfect program for Libraries or School Family Nights.
90 min. We explore What? or Why? as prompts for fiction writing. Lulu introduces both books and the questions that prompted each collection of stories. Then we explore how special foods spark fond family memories, and how these memories can be transformed into stories. Lulu guides families to begin crafting their own short story or poem using the remembered, the known, and the imagined. The youngest ones can help with illustrations. Materials provided by the host. Perfect to encourage literacy during Family Nights!
45 min. Learn about the discovery of the Olinguito and the cloud forest. Marvel at the flora and fauna that coexist with the Olinguito, from a rare Pinocchio lizard to the spectacled bear. Learn about the extensive research behind the book. This program stresses the interconnected life in the cloud forest and the importance of preserving the ecosystem. A great choice to celebrate Earth Day, poetry month, and summer reading. For grades K-4 or library audiences.
"Lulu’s personable style, her flexibility and ability to work in two languages at any level and with various group sizes made her visit a valuable experience for our students and teachers."
– Mario Chioini, Upper School Librarian, American School of Paris, France
"Kids and families were truly beaming after hearing your powerful words."
– Tessa Arevalo, Fifth Grade Teacher, Rolling Terrace Elementary School, Takoma Park, M
"Lulu was just phenomenal! She was full of fun energy and had everyone in the audience listening and participating. She facilitated a family session including parents and and children (infants through middle schoolers) about the writing process and where we get inspiration for telling our stories. So many of our parent and teacher participants ... felt seen and understood by Lulu." – Dr. Heather K. Olson Beal, Professor, Education Studies, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Lulu Delacre conducts teacher workshops and gives speeches related to her work as an author and illustrator.
She has been a speaker at the International Reading Association; National Council of Teachers in English; California Reading Association; Spanish Institute; TESOL; National Association of Bilingual Educators; Michigan Reading Association; Frostburg University Children's Literature Institute, MD; the Rabbit Hill Festival, CT; the University of Southern Mississippi, Atlanta University; University of Minnesota; the Mazza Summer Institute; the Shenandoah University Children's Book Festival, VA: Fordham University, NY; the University of Wisconsin; Tulsa University, OK; Ohio State University; Diamond State Reading Association; the University of Northern Colorado; the University of Puerto Rico; the Universidad Católica de Ponce, PR; Kids are Customers Too Conference, MD; SCBWI Regional Conference, MD; ADEC Conference, IL; Salisbury University Read Green Conference, MD; Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, MA; AFT TEACH Conference,DC; Virginia Festival of the Book; Virginia Children’s Book Festival; Young Reader's Center at the Library of Congress; The Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute, TN; Independent Catholic Library Association, MD; International Society of Women Teachers, MD; Pine Manor College Solstice Writing Institute, CT; Zimmerli Art Museum, NJ and at the MCPL Staff Development Conference, MD, among others.
To invite her to speak at your conference contact her.
"Our conference participants (almost 200) were mesmerized. Your school visit was just as spectacular. The students are still buzzing about it a week later. As the conference director, it is so nice to work with authors who truly care about teachers and kids."
– Bryan Gillis Ph.D., Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults, Kennesaw State University, GA
"Our students have expressed admiration, delight, and astonishment in response to your books and your presentation."
– Linda M Pavonetti, Ed.D., Oakland University, Rochester, MI
10 Questions with Lulu. 30 to 45 minutes. In English or Spanish. Q&A format in which I answer each question with a story, anecdote, book reading, visual demonstration, and/or a look around the studio. The host sends the questions ahead of time and I weave them into the program. Instructive and interactive. Skype, Blackboard Collaborate, Google Hangout, Zoom. Special rates if you order a classroom set of books.
Before the visit I send an activity kit to help the students think about the theme of this program. On the day of the visit I talk about the art of Turning Pages by Sonia Sotomayor. I read aloud Luci Soars and discuss why and how I created it.
I give a live tour of my studio. We end by sharing our own superpowers on screen in words or pictures.
“Lulu nos inspiró a seguir leyendo y escribiendo en ingés y en español y a estar orgullosos de quiénes somos y de dónde venimos!”
–DC Bilingual PCS
“We've been doing a lot of work with Us In Progress. Your writing is like a box full of legos, in that there is so much to do and choose from -- lots of shapes, colors, and options -- an English teacher's dream.”
–James Scot Brodie, James Lick Middle School, San Francisco, CA
“The most beautiful and special presentations for Haycock’s READ IN Day! Thank you for taking the children into your studio, reading the books, and discussing the writing and art processes.
The children could learn how inspiration could start from one’s heritage, or newspaper articles, and how illustrations could capture messages creatively.”
–Barbara Bosworth, Reading Specialist, Haycock Elementary, VA
“Our students adored having your personal insight and the chance to get a tour of your studio. They were affirmed by a conversation in Spanish, and so grateful for a time to feel special and seen.”
–Alaina Bearden, 4th grade CABA teacher, Blackstone Elementary, Boston, MA
Order 3 to 4 weeks in advance and mention the books are for an author visit
Candlewick offers a 40% discount and free shipping on books ordered for an author event.
HarperCollins offers 40% discount off of trade and paperback editions and 25% off library editions. Please call 1-800-242-7737 for Customer Service.
Lee & Low Books offers up to 50% discount on books for an author visit. Contact authorvisits@leeandlow.com
Scholastic gives a 40% discount on books for an author visit. Call 1-800-SCHOLAS x 3. Request books by ISBN number.
Simon & Schuster gives a 40% discount and free shipping on books ordered for an author visit. Call 1-800-976-1726 or 1-877-989-0009.
Penguin Random House offers discounts on bulk orders. Please call 800-733-3000 for Customer Service
