Target Grades 3-8
MAGICAL MIDDLE GRADE
This is a 45-60 minute highly dynamic and engaging presentation on middle grade storytelling. It begins with an overview of Karla’s background growing up in Mexico, which Karla uses to guide students through a discussion of magical realism in Mexican culture and how magical realism is contrasted with fantasy in literature. Students will then be treated to a lively conversation on the craft of storytelling which will lead into an overview of Karla’s three middle grade novels (Junior Library Guild Gold selection Quetzal’s Labyrinth, award winning Lola, and the highly-acclaimed Loteria). This presentation concludes with an interactive and exciting art activity with direct tie-ins to the stories. Time permitting, Karla will answer student questions about her books, her process, and anything else discussed in the presentation. She will also sign books.
Target Grades 2-3
LEGENDARIOS
This 45-60 minute highly dynamic and engaging presentation includes an overview of Karla’s background, the illustrator for this series, and the books. In this session, Karla will guide students through a brief discussion of mythology and how she drew on Mexican mythological tales in creating the Legendarios series. Students will also participate in an interactive and exciting storytelling activity and, time permitting, an art activity. At the conclusion of the session, Karla will answer student questions about her books, her process, and anything else discussed in the presentation. She will also sign books.
Target Grades – K-2
MARIA MARIPOSA or ESPERANZA CARAMELO
In this 30-45 minute presentation + Q&A, Karla will read the book to the group and engage the students in a discussion about the story, how the artwork contributes to the narrative, and the source for the book. Time permitting, students will engage in an art activity.
Any ages or grades
ALL BOOKS
This 45-60 minute highly dynamic and engaging presentation includes an overview of Karla’s background and her books. Drawing from her personal life, Karla will also guide participants through a brief discussion of magical realism (vs fantasy) as a literary genre, the different elements of storytelling and how they unfold in Karla’s books, and provide an introduction to the illustrators. The presentation includes an interactive and exciting art activity. At the conclusion, Karla will answer questions about her books, her process, and anything else discussed in the presentation. She will also sign books..
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
This 45-60 minute storytelling workshop begins with an art activity based on alebrijes, a Mexican artisanal art form, through which participants will create two characters. Karla will then guide the group on the key elements of storytelling and, using specific prompts, help participants create a protagonist and antagonist, build worlds for their characters, and come up with the beginnings of a story plot. Time permitting, at the conclusion, Karla will answer questions about her books, her process, and any other related questions. She will also sign books.
ASK MY ANYTHING!
In this AMA session, Karla will answer any student questions about her books, the writing process, the industry, how she became an author, writing for different age groups, magical realism, and more.
* All questions must be pre-approved by the educators before the event to avoid duplication of questions and avoid uncomfortable or problematic topics.
Want more details?
To book an author visit or speaking engagement, please contact Sarah DeVore at How Now Booking (Sarah@HowNowBooking.com).
A Sample of Testimonials…
