Classroom & School Visits!

I love visiting with students to help encourage a love of art, books, and reading! My goal is to keep kids engaged and excited throughout the visit by keeping things fun and interactive; leaving them inspired to go out and create their own pieces of work! Geared towards grades k-5. Visits can be adjusted depending on grade level, but a typical 45 minute visit consists of:

  • 5-10 minute introduction and reading of TURTLE IN A TREE (Dial 2021) and/or THE BEST FLOWER EVER! (Dial 2023).

  • 10-15 minute slide show presentation where I share some “secrets” of author/illustrators and show process photos of how picture books are made, followed by a Q&A.

  • 10-15 minute guided drawing of a character from one of the books! I encourage students to draw along and help me finish my drawing by giving suggestions on what to add. Silly ideas encouraged! We will discuss how words and illustrations work together in picture books to tell the story. This is modified for either a small classroom setting or larger auditorium setting.

Academic Principles Addressed

  • Importance of strengthening writing through revision.

  • Emphasis on how illustrations support writing by showing characters, setting, and events taking place.

  • Understanding and accepting guidance/critique from educators (publishers ask authors to make changes to our work too!)

  • Brief introduction to Photoshop and how illustrations are scanned and edited digitally.

  • The publishing process and how illustrators, editors, and art directors work together to create the book. (It is a team effort!)

  • Follow along with the discussion and ask appropriate questions relating to the topic.

  • Opportunity to share work and receive feedback (not included in virtual visit due to format).

 

Virtual Visit

Virtual visits will follow a similar format listed above. This allows for multiple classrooms to join in the experience at one time! Muting/unmuting from the teachers is encouraged so we can keep things organized and get as many kids from each class participating as possible. If more than 4 classrooms are joining at a time it may be best to add multiple sessions so that there is time for everyone to feel included. I may also have my ambassador dog Napoleon along with me for moral support!

 

* NEW * Mini Guided Drawing Visit!

I’m so excited to now offer a 25 minute zoom visit! Perfect for educators who want to introduce authors and illustrators to the classroom but stay on budget. Best for grades 1-5, in this visit we will:

- Read TURTLE IN A TREE or THE BEST FLOWER EVER!

- Have a short Q&A

- Do a guided drawing together of a character from one of the books!

 

In Person Visit

I’m available to visit classrooms in person throughout New England and the country! There will be an additional fee for travel beyond 50 miles of Brunswick, ME. Nothing beats being able to interact with kids in person and watch their faces light up as we read and discuss books and art together! I also bring sketches and original paintings from the book with me so students can see for themselves how a book goes from art to printed page.

Books

Purchasing a copy of TURTLE IN A TREE reinforces those writing and illustrating concepts we discussed and can be a long lasting memory for little readers! Books can be purchased prior to the event from Penguin’s Website, or your local book seller! For virtual visits in the Brunswick, ME region, signed books may be available from local stores. Contact me to discuss options and schedule!

 
 
 
 

“Neesha led an amazing interactive experience for our school. Our students were so engaged and really enjoyed participating in her illustrations. Highly recommended!” -Ms. McInnis (KFS)

“We truly appreciate the time you took today to visit with our kiddos. They LOVED that you took their ideas and made it into an illustration – it truly was an interactive visit. I will certainly send my praises to other teachers and direct them towards your website.” -Mrs. Colgan (Hampden Elementary Scool)

“Thank you Neesha Hudson for being our celebrity reader! Our students loved hearing you read your book, “Turtle in a Tree,” and our classrooms were filled with laughter and joy. They especially enjoyed watching you draw Bulldog and Greyhound and they were inspired to do their own Bulldog drawings after you left. We hope to have you visit our class again soon!” -Mrs. Kaiser & Mrs. Plante (Kate Furbish Elementary School)

“What a fun and engaging celebration we had with Neesha at her book launch of ‘Walk Your Dog!’ Our community had a fantastic time enjoying her read aloud, drawing demonstration, and meeting her dog! I highly recommend having Neesha and her book in your school and library!” -Kim Campbell, Head of Youth Services, South Portland Public Library

“Neesha was a guest reader at our elementary school during our annual Read-a-thon. She was very responsive and flexible as we transitioned this to a virtual event. Students loved listening to Neesha read her book and especially enjoyed interacting with her as she demonstrated her illustration techniques. Overall, students and teachers alike loved having Neesha participate in our event!” -Mrs. Rogers (Kate Furbish Elementary)