New England SCBWI can not endorse or recommend any one speaker over any others, nor can we guarantee satisfaction with the programs of any given speaker.
Toni Buzzeo, former teacher and elementary school library media specialist, is the author of seven published picture books with six more scheduled for forthcoming publication. In 2000 she won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustators’ Barbara Karlin Grant for the manuscript that went on to be her first published picture book, The Sea Chest, which won a 2002 Lupine Award Honor and the 2005 Crown Gallery Award. Her Dawdle Duckling series is popular with children everywhere, and Little Loon and Papa has a special meaning for those who hear the mysterious music of the loons. Two of Toni’s most recent picture books, Our Librarian Won’t Tell Us ANYTHING! and Fire Up with Reading, draw on her years of personal experience as a wiley and cool school librarian. Her most recent book, R is for Research, describes the research process in a lively rhyming alphabet book that teachers and librarians will love.
Toni is also the author of a number of books for teacher and library professionals too including: Toni Buzzeo and YOU, Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers (co-authored with Jane Kurtz), four books on Collaborating to Meet Standards which model teacher and librarian partnerships, and two Reader’s Theater books in the Read! Perform! Learn! series.
When she is not traveling all over the country, visiting schools, speaking at conferences, and offering district trainings in collaboration, Toni lives with her husband Ken live in that old farmhouse in Maine.
Selected Works:
R is for Research, illustrated by Nicole Wong (Upstart 2008) BRAND NEW!
Fire Up with Reading: A Mrs. Skorupski Story, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa (Upstart 2007)
Our Librarian Won't Tell Us ANYTHING! A Mrs. Skorupski Story, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa (Upstart 2006)
Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling, illustrated by Margaret Spengler (Dial 2005)
Little Loon and Papa, illustrated by Margaret Spengler (Dial 2004)
Dawdle Duckling, illustrated by Margaret Spengler (Dial 2003)
The Sea Chest, illustrated by Mary GrandPre (Dial 2002)
"From a librarian’s perspective, it was wonderful to see the children make the connection from a life lived, to a story written, then all the way to the finished product in book form—all standing right before them! We are truly grateful for the 'piece of magic that came to life' in our library this past September." ~ Rosanna Webb, LMS, Lindsay ISD, Lindsay, Texas
"Hard to believe that it was just two weeks ago that you were here, that we've had a vaction in between, and that the children are still excited and talking about you as if it were just moments ago that you were with them. If you had only half the influence on every school you visited that you had on my class alone, you would be a total success. Your genuine love for children and your dedication to your writing are special talents." ~ Barb Richter, Second Grade Teacher, Carder Elementary School, Corning, New York
"We consider your visit to have been the most powerful and far-reaching of any author visit we've had. We look forward to continued collaboration, especially with our blossoming young authors in the Buzzeo Writing Club." ~ Dorothy Daves, LMS, Glenridge School, Clayton, Missouri
"We had a wonderful time during your visit at Hall School. The children love your books, as do I! Most importantly, all of them are more excited now about writing than ever. Thank you so much for sharing your love of words and writing with us." ~ Andi Bagley, Grade 3 Teacher, Hall School, Portland, Maine
Program Info
Program Descriptions:
THE AUTHOR’S PATH (Children and Adults)
Using photographs and story, I share my journey from shy child to published author and all stops in between. We seldom know realize the origins of our dreams—or the persistence required to make them come true. Perfect for public library presentations as well as for schools! (45 minutes to 1 hour)
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY (Children, Grades 3-8)
In the spirit of historical and natural inquiry--using illustrations, text, and research--we explore the challenges behind THE SEA CHEST and LITTLE LOON AND PAPA and learn the importance of research for both authors and illustrators. (1 hour).
THE AUTHOR'S CAREER (Children, Grades 5-8, and Adults)
Ever wonder about the practical aspects of being an author? What's an author's life like? How much do we get paid? What about rejection and revision? A workshop rich with information and delivered with a strong dose of humor! (1 hour)
PUPPET AND FLANNEL BOARD PLAY (Children, Preschool-Kindergarten)
The youngest audiences meet DAWDLE DUCKLING and LITTLE LOON AND PAPA through songs, fingerplays, puppets, and flannel board stories. (30 minutes).
ANIMALS 1, 2, 3 (Children, Preschool-First Grade)
Young audiences meet all of the animals in the DAWDLE DUCKLING series and LITTLE LOON AND PAPA through slides accompanied by songs, fingerplays, and puppets and learn how special the number 3 is in writing stories. (30-45 minutes).
SHOW, DON'T TELL--A WRITER'S WORKSHOP (Children, Grades 3-8)
Through a series of guided writing exercises and group sharing, students learn how to enhance their own natural writing talents and improve their creative work by using revealing detail (1 hour with one or two classes at a time).
Program Pricing:
$1000 per day in Maine, plus travel expenses beyond 50 miles
$1500 per day outside of Maine, plus travel expenses
Special Features:
As a lifelong educator, I have an excellent rapport with students and engage them fully in the learning that takes place during an author visit. Because I hosted countless author visits myself as a school library media specialist, I am able to work with my hosts to plan the best possible visit to your school--one that will make a meaningful impact on your students and their learning.
Audience Levels:
Preschool; Lower Elementary; Upper Elementary
Contact Info
Contact Email:
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Home State:
Maine
Articles
Speakers may post articles related to their speaker programs and general tips for educators and librarians looking to hold successful author or illustrator programs.
Toni Buzzeo