Below is a short list of topics I can speak on pertaining to Who is Tanksy? and drawing on my unique experience on both sides of the desk in the publishing world, and another list of associated activities I can do with kids. You can have me talk or do an activity or both. Go crazy—mix and match and customize! Rest assured I can adapt every topic and activity to different age groups and time allotments!
Possible topics to speak on:
-Working in the publishing industry (the different jobs, etc.)
-A book’s journey – from idea to publication and beyond
-Any writing craft topic, e.g. plot, characterization, etc., and/or writing humour
-Graffiti as an art form (don’t worry—I’ll make sure your kids know the difference between the legal and illegal kinds, and also the difference between tagging and artful graffiti a la Banksy!), and anonymity in art
-Writing about real events (unique challenges, can you use humour, etc.)
-Civil discourse in politics and life in general (Roots of Empathy type stuff)
-Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism (see Roots of Empathy)
-Or I can incorporate all of the above in a talk about how I came to write Tanksy
Possible interactive activities:
-Having kids come up with their own graffiti images and talking about why they created those images
-Creating a group graffiti mural on kraft paper
-Having kids come up with book ideas/elevator pitches as well as very short book outlines and first pages
-Having kids come up with the above based on graffiti images I show them
-Having kids come up with the above based on real, meaningful events
I look forward to working with you!
