I never imagined I’d grow up to be a writer… until I tried it. Now I write books for children, as well as magazine articles, essays, short stories, letters to friends, grocery lists and more.

Your students might share my enthusiasm for writing if they knew:

• I get to play with toys and games, then write about them for magazines
• A walk on the beach counts as work, as long as you call it “inspiration”
• Daydreaming, eavesdropping and silliness are allowed, and even encouraged!

My school visits are interactive and fun, but also packed with productivity. For example, discussion of my picture book calls upon a variety of 21st Century Skills*, even for the littlest learners:

• Visual Literacy, as students examine and interpret images in relation to text
• Inventive Thinking, as they analyze, compare and interpret plot points
• Effective Communication, required for sharing opinions and considering classmates’ points-of-view

Because of my wide range of publishing experience, I’m uniquely qualified to discuss the many “jobs” a writer can have. In fact, my freelance work and writing process provide real-life examples supporting many NCTE* beliefs:

• There are many different purposes for which people write, as well as forms that are unique to each purpose
• Writing is a process, and writers employ a variety of strategies to produce their work
• Writing is a tool for thinking, remembering, and idea-gathering
• Writing and reading are related; writers are readers, and vice-versa

Together, we can engage your students in the writing process, both in school and at home. If they write me letters, I’ll write back. If they blog about my visit, I may surprise them with a reply.

Dates fill quickly – reserve yours today!

My articles have been published in Disney’s FamilyFun, Child, The Writer and Chicago Parent, as well as anthologies including The Right Words at the Right Time, edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. My award-winning picture book, LESTER FIZZ, BUBBLE-GUM ARTIST is published by Dutton.

*Due to space limitations, sources available upon request.

Contact Information:

Email: rbspiro@gmail.com
Websites:
http://www.ruthspiro.com
http://www.bubblegumday.com