New England SCBWI
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

Special Features
SEAL ISLAND SCHOOL won Maine Libraries Association 1999 Lupine Award for "Best Children's Book about Maine," and was named to Vermont's 2000-2001 Dorothy Canfield Fisher List of twenty best books for grades 4-8. THE SEAL ISLAND SEVEN continues the adventures of children who live in this special place. "A terrific choice for beginning chapter book readers." --School Library Journal. Note: Author writes under the name Susan Bartlett, but the Library of Congress lists her, confusingly, under married name, Weber.

Travel
VT, Western NH (Concord/Manchester north to Hanover/Lebanon/Lancaster); Maine (Bethel/Lewiston/Augusta area/Portland & some coastal communities.)

Selected Works
* SEAL ISLAND SCHOOL, illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Viking, 1999);
* THE SEAL ISLAND SEVEN, illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Viking, 2002)

Fee
Usually $100 for a 30-40 minute presentation plus mileage. Please inquire

Program Description
A lively, kid-friendly presentation about author's chapter books, which are set on a Maine island. Author tells about the island that inspired the stories, her experiences there with her children, what it's like for kids to live there year 'round and attend a school with only four or five students, how an author mixes experience with what's "made-up" to create plot and suspense, who draws the pictures, how a book is made, the importance of reading. Prefers children to have read books as they're then full of great comments and questions; also requests that teacher/librarian pre-order books for signing (full instructions provided.) Fun blowups of illustrations to share and everyone gets a Seal Island bookmark.