SCHOOL VISITS  

School visits are available for any age group, from preschool to college. I begin my presentations with a one-hour slide show "Writing To The Beat of a Different Drummer," which illustrates how I've gleaned writing ideas from everyday memories and life, and how students may do the same.  The slide show may be presented as a whole-school assembly, or up to three times with students broken into groups.  Remaining time is spent on writing workshops.  I'm flexible, and will work with any group size or room.  For K-1, I prefer to read my books and conduct a discussion, rather than have the children write.  Fees are negotiable, depending upon distance of travel and working hours spent in the school.   Please call me at 717-445-8246, and we'll talk.

For a successful school visit:

1.  Please have a screen for the slide show, along with a microphone and a cart for the projector.  Also, an extension cord is often needed in the assembly room.  Please be sure that the room may be darkened enough to view the slides.

2.  It helps maximize the students' enjoyment of the presentation if they are familiar with several of my books.  

3.  For book-ordering, some people use local bookstores.  Others find that book warehouses, such as Ingram's or Baker & Taylor, are good options.  Another easy choice is to use Follett  Another great way to do it is to contact Barb Davis of Book Connection at 904-821-8604, or Ellen Mager of Booktenders' Secret Garden at 215-348-7160 (ellensbooks@aol.com) 

Another option is to order directly from my publishers, as most of my publishers offer exceptionally good discounts to schools and libraries.  Info for contacting my various publishers follows:

Boyds Mills Press: 1-800-490-5111 (Beekeepers, Barn Savers, Winter Shoes for Shadow Horse, The Last Chimney of Christmas Eve . . . all picture books and Hound Heaven, a middle-grade novel.  Beekeepers and Hound Heaven are available in paperback.)

Penguin-Putnam (Philomel division): 201-933-9292, ext. 6643 (The Girl on the High-Diving Horse:  a picture book, available in paperback.)

Bloomsbury Press & Walker Books:  To order picture books City of Snow:  The Great Blizzard of 1888 or The Cemetery Keepers of Gettysburg, and also my young adult novel "Sister Slam and the Poetic Motormouth Road Trip," please contact 888-330-8477.

Holiday House - 212-688-0085 (Picture book Under New York.)

Frequently asked questions about school visits:

1.  How large/small should the group size be for assemblies or writing workshops?

I'm flexible.  Whatever works best for the students, teachers, schedule, or school is fine.

2.  What do the students need for writing workshops?

Paper, pencil, and imagination.

3.  What would you like for lunch?

I eat anything!  I like pizza, hoagies (turkey or tuna; no cheese), and anything else easily available.  I'll eat with students, teachers, or by myself.  Whatever works best!!

4.  How long a break do you require between workshops/assemblies?

Just enough time to run to the nearest Ladies' Room!

5.  What do you like to drink throughout the day?

Diet Coke or Pepsi, bottled water, or iced tea.

6.  Will you sign the books?  May the children be present?

Absolutely!  Children may be present.  Some schools choose to use all available time for presentations, and to have me sign books before or after the school day.  I'm also open to signing at lunchtime, as long as I have enough time to wolf down some food.  

7.  Are you allergic to anything?

Wine.  But as schools don't frequently serve that, I don't usually have any problems.

8.  Do you need help carrying equipment?

Yes, it's nice if someone is available!  If not, I'm strong.

9.  Can the children ask you anything they want, i.e. age, income, etc?

Yes!  You never learn unless you ask.

10. How many slide shows can you present in one school day?

Up to three, with remaining time spent on writing workshops.

11. Will you do an evening presentation for parents?

If possible, yes.

12. Would you rather stay in a hotel or at someone's home?

Hotel.  I'll make reservations and cover the cost.  I appreciate recommendations of good nearby hotels or B&Bs.  I'm freaked out by motels with no inside corridors!  You know, the ones that serial killers can break into from the outside?!

13. Do you like to go out to dinner with teachers, parents, and/or students, if staying overnight?

Yes, if the travel day hasn't been too exhausting.

14. Do you like to receive a schedule and directions to the school?

Yes.  I can use MapQuest if I have the school address.

15. Do you enjoy having someone escort you throughout the school day?

Yes, but it's not a necessity.

16. How far will you travel?

As far as airplanes can fly.

17. Do you like to be paid on the day of the school visit?

Yes.

18. May we have your cell phone number?

Yes.  717-572-7152.

19. If you fly, should the school make the reservation and pay for the travel?

Yes.  I fly from Philadelphia or Harrisburg, Pa.  Coach is fine.

20. If you're traveling far from home, do you like to present at other local schools and make it a 2 or 3 day visit?

Yes, when possible.

21. Do you like to travel by train?

I love it.

22.  What kind of car do you drive?  (We want to spot you in the parking lot so that we can show you where to go or help you carry stuff!)

I drive a purple PT Cruiser.  I'll try to drive the speed limit in your parking lot.

23. What is the cost of a school visit?

It varies, according to distance traveled, etc.  GIve a call or an email & we'll talk!!!

24. Do you like to do school visits?

YES!!

25. Do you like kids?

Absolutely.  Duh.

26. Do you like teachers?

Usually.

27. Do you like writing?

I LOVE it!

28. With what ages do you prefer to work?

5-105.  For grades K and 1, it works best for me to read my books and have discussion, rather than to conduct a formal writing workshop.

29. How do we schedule a presentation? 

For visits in Pennsylvania, call me at 717-445-8246 or email lohigh@frontiernet.net 

For out of state visits, I may be booked through Katz Connects 

katzconnects@aol.com 
415-312-1212

Letters From Teachers, Principals, and Kids may be found below. 

"Linda Oatman High              
Boy, she was cool!
She was great;
She came to our school
She wasn’t late.
We all learned,
She sure did earn
The loud applause,
Louder than Santa Claus.
She’s an inspiration
For our nation!"

-Joanne Pavao, Grade 5 (March 31, 1999) Anastasia School, Long Branch, NJ

And from Ohio student Jacquelynn Rogers . . .

 "Dear Mrs. Linda Oatman High,

Thank you for coming to our school! I took some of your marvelous ideas about finding what to write. And now I am blossoming to a beautiful poet! . . . I took the time and effort of writing you a poem:

People
Some people are kind,
Some are neat.
But the best people of all
are the ones who write books
for your enjoyment.
Some don’t write good,
but you definitely do
Because you are experienced
in everything you do.
You’re an author,
a mother,
a sure wippty-do.
You’re an idol of
true worship. You are
Linda Oatman High!"

From Jessie Antiga, (Fifth Grade) Richmond Elementary, Richmond, Ohio:

"Thank you so much for coming to our school, and telling us about your wonderful work! I really enjoyed it! I think it’s really neat that you chose writing out of all of the other careers you could have had! I can’t wait to read some of your books this summer. "

 And from a teacher:

Dear Ms. Oatman High:

"Enclosed you will find a copy of a story that was written by two of my 5th grade students. The rough draft was begun after your visit to our school. After meeting you and completing a novel study of Hound Heaven, the girls set out on a long process. The finished piece, completed in June, was a hard cover book that was bound by our school’s publishing center. I thought you might enjoy reading the story’s text. In addition to sending you their work, I would also like to thank you for being such a positive influence and role model for my students. Publishing a story is a wonderful accomplishment in itself, but I hope that knowing that it has inspired children to write is also quite an honor. Congratulations on making a difference in the lives of children."

-Kristin Honsel, 5th grade teacher
Lower Milford Elementary School
Coopersburg, PA

From a Halifax Elementary Student: (Spelling is correct.  Well, not actually, but it's how she wrote it!)

"Hi this is Melissa Schoffstall from Halifax Middle School I am in 6th grade now and i can still remember you coming to our school when i was in 4th grade and we recieved the book A Stone's Throw from Paradice. I just now got the chance to read your book since i was so behind on the books that i had bought. Man am i glad i did! I loved the book. I used it for a book report and it has been one of the easiest book reports i've ever had to do and i think that part of it might be because i enjoyed the book so much! I will just say that i'm very sad that i didn't read your book sooner. I was also wondering if there is any other one of your books that i might enjoy since i liked this one so much? If you could please return this with an answer that would be wonderful because i'm really interested. Oh again thanks for coming to our school i really enjoyed your slide show and being able to meet you. Well i'm going to go work on some of my "READING". Well Thanks again and PLEASE write back!"

From librarian Roberta  Kleinbard at Wandell School:

From teacher Donna Kerstetter at Susquenita Elementary School:

"The children had a wonderful time.  They couldn't wait to check your books out of the library.  I have read many of the stories that the children wrote during their writing workshops.  It was especially nice to see how excited our reluctant writers were after their workshop."

From principal Carol Gilmore at Reidenbaugh Elementary School:

"Your assembly slide show was totally geared to and connected with our kiddos.  You helped them to understand that we all are writers and have something worthy to write about.  The feedback from students andt eachers has been very positive.  I believe you have motivated not only many of our students, but also many of our staff to continue to write and dream."

From parent volunteer Ashley Formento at Wandell School, Saddle River, NJ:

"The school is still bubbling about your visit."

For referrals about school visits, any of these schools/teachers may be contacted:

Linglestown Elementary

Harrisburg, PA

Contact:  Claire Dostich

Hamilton Heights Elementary

Chambersburg, PA

contact:  Darlene Miley

Jamison Elementary School

Doylestown, PA

contact:  Ellen Hoffman

Crossroads Middle School

Lewisberry, PA

Contact:  Melissa St. Cyr

Shanksville Elementary

Shanksville, PA

Contact:  Tracy Noble

Twin Valley Middle School

Morgantown, PA

Contact:  Peg Dombach

Amity School

Douglasville, PA

contact:  Ed Smith

For a college reference:

Sister Ruth Dowd

Manhattanville College

Purchase, NY

(I was honored to be a faculty member for their prestigious summer writers workshop in 2004!)

I've presented at many conferences, including KSRA, PSLA, PLA, IRA, ALA, Bloomsburg Reading Conference, Childrens Literature Matters, Rutgers Mentors Program, Maryland SCBWI, and many others.