School and Library Visits

I enjoy teaching kids about the process of making comic books, and I’d be happy to visit your school or library, either in person or virtually. My multi-media presentation shows students how I write and draw a graphic novel, and demonstrates the five most important elements of visual storytelling—elements kids can use to create their own comics!

The presentation is for groups of any size, grades 3-6. It lasts 45 minutes (including Q&A), but I also have a 30-minute version, which some people prefer for virtual visits. For in-person visits I sign books and chat with the kids after the talk, naturally. Sometimes kids show me the comic books they’ve made, which is always inspiring. For virtual visits I can mail your school signed, personalized bookplates that kids can stick into their books.

Contact me at doogiehorner@gmail.com to schedule an appearance or get more information.

How much does an appearance cost?
Virtual visits: Are $100. What a deal!
In person visits: Email me your location and I’ll send you a quote. The cost of a book talk varies depending on how close your school or library is to my hundred-year-old and definitely not haunted farmhouse in Western New York. Buffalo, Rochester, and the Finger Lakes region are all pretty close to me, but I’m happy to travel further. I generally try to keep the cost low, because I know schools and libraries aren’t rich.

If you are a school or library looking to purchase 20 or more copies of the book, you can order directly from the publisher, Penguin, who will give you a discount on bulk orders.

• You can download a PDF with info about the talk here.

• Here’s a handy-dandy blank order form you can give to students to help keep track of book orders

• And here’s information about ordering books from Penguin (bulk orders only for schools & libraries).

A lot of kids have built their own versions of Trash Robot at home. Here’s one made by George Polyzogopoulou from Athens, Greece.