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Sarah S. Brannen has an AB from Harvard University and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. After several years showing her paintings in galleries and working as an architectural illustrator, she switched to children's books in 2001.
Sarah is the author and illustrator of UNCLE BOBBY'S WEDDING (Putnam, 2008) and the illustrator of THE ABC BOOK OF AMERICAN HOMES (Charlesbridge, 2008); DIGGING FOR TROY (Charlesbridge, 2011) and MATHIAS FRANEY, POWDER MONKEY (Twin Lights, 2011). She has also done educational work and illustrated for magazines. In addition, she is a figure skating journalist and photographer.
Selected Works:
Uncle Bobby's Wedding (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2008)
The ABC Book of American Homes (Charlesbridge, 2008)
Digging for Troy (Charlesbridge, 2011)
Mathias Franey, Powder Monkey (Twin Lights Publishers, 2011)
Anywhere! Will drive up to two hours, ask reimbursement for longer trips.
Blurbs:
Schools visited:
Nashoba Brooks, Concord, Mass.
Shady Hill, Cambridge, Mass.
Pacific Elementary, San Francisco
Harvard University
Wellesley College
Endicott College
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
Program Info
Program Descriptions:
MATHIAS FRANEY, POWDER MONKEY
This book tells the story of the youngest boy on board the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. My presentation is particularly well-suited for third graders. I take them through the process of illustrating the book, starting with researching life about Old Ironsides in 1812, visiting the ship and talking to historians.
I then tell them what life was like for a child - as young as 8! - about the ship, and explain how I had to learn about the war, and how cannons were fired, what clothes people wore, etc.
Lastly, I take them through the process of drawing the illustrations and show them how a story becomes a picture book.
UNCLE BOBBY'S WEDDING
For grades K - 2, I read Uncle Bobby's Wedding aloud and discuss the process of writing and illustrating a picture book. I leave time for any questions and let them lead the direction of the discussion.
Third-graders are sometimes ready for an expanded discussion of same-sex marriage. For older children, talking about writing the book and getting it published can develop into a discussion of tolerance and discrimination in the current times.
Program Pricing:
$600/day, which includes 3 or 4 45-minute presentations.
Special Features:
Mathias Franey ties in well to 3rd grade US History curriculum.
Uncle Bobby's Wedding provides a friendly, gentle introduction to the idea of same-sex marriage and same-sex parents in a family. The story is told from the point of view of a little girl, and the tone is one of acceptance and calm normality.
As same-sex marriage becomes a legal reality in more and more states, Uncle Bobby's Wedding can be part of explanations and clarification for young children.
Audience Levels:
Lower Elementary
Contact Info
Contact Email:
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Home City:
Greater Boston
Home State:
Massachusetts
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