Children engaged in painting and puppet show activities in a community room.

Educators

A Letter to Educators

Dear Librarians and Educators,

I’ve taught high school English and summer writing workshops for middle schoolers, worked for Rutgers University’s Program in American Language Studies camps, St. Andrews University, East China Normal University, and held lectures for college students training to become teachers at the University of Florida. As a former teacher who has integrated Emotional Intelligence Competencies into her classrooms since 1985, I understand that now more than ever before we need to encourage children to be emotionally intelligent. A child’s emotional intelligence and compassion for others is the seed every educator helps to plant to help children grow into empathetic and involved community members.

Children need to be able to respect themselves and others before they feel safe enough to trust their learning environment. If we could have more materials that focus on these skills as part of academic instruction, teaching these skills would be easy. That’s why I’ve created Everfield Press, which has fiction and nonfiction works which build emotional intelligence, compassion for others, and care for the world.

The contextually embedded activities in my books will also make the learning process fun. With more than 100 digital and print stories in my portfolio, and experience teaching every grade from PreK-12, I’m a flexible presenter.

I am happy to present to large or small groups and can adjust the content of my presentation for younger or older audiences. If you are interested in a topic, I am happy to tailor a presentation to meet the request. When you hire me for a full day visit, I am yours for the day, and you are welcome to form a schedule that works for everyone. I can speak to any group size. The ultimate goal is that my visit is a fun extension of learning, not a distraction or loss of instructional time.

Whether or not I’m able to visit you in person, I’ve taken the time to compile resources that correspond with my books. You can find them at Everfieldpress.com.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my love of science, social studies, reading, writing, and art with your students.

Regards, Karen Porter

Discover the Best Books Here

Looking for your next great read?

Look no further than Everfield Press! We are a publishing company that is dedicated to producing high-quality books in a variety of genres, from suspenseful thrillers to heartwarming romances. Our team of talented writers and editors work tirelessly to create books that are both entertaining and engaging. We are committed to providing our readers with a truly unforgettable reading experience.

School Visits with Karen Porter

Children’s author Karen Porter has worked with over 100 schools and libraries to build student literacy. Viewed as creative, imaginative, and inspirational, Karen Porter’s school and library presentations engage students in activities, connect children’s experiences, and teach children about age-appropriate curricular topics. In addition to her adventurous nonfiction, her early-grade chapter books, A Countdown to Navidad and The Adventures of Moppet explore cross-cultural communication and the importance of compassion for others.

Karen’s updated presentations incorporate her newest fiction and nonfiction books to give kids a diverse sense of wordplay, wonder, and possibility. To reserve a date or inquire about custom programming, please fill out the contact form on the EVERFIELD PRESS website at everfieldpress.com.

Presentations

Emotatudes Presentation: This interactive presentation will have students paint their feelings and play the ‘Dealing with Feelings’ Game. Students throw a fluffy small “Emotatude” on the feeling wheel and then paint the feeling it lands on. Each student gets a chance to play the game. Karen gives each student an award after they share their painting of the way they feel inside. These paintings are used to explore the specific tools and strategies writers use to express feelings. Kids will be ready to paint their feelings and develop characters that have these feelings as a result! Best suited for grades K-3. Best suited for groups of about 20 or less, so every child can participate in the dealing with feelings game.

· Age: grades K-3.

· Length: 45 minutes.

· Number of participants: 20 or less, so everyone has a chance to participate.

Feeling Friends Puppet Show: Our Feeling Friends Puppet Show gives you and your students the chance to meet Ada and the rest of the Feeling Friends! Participants get to watch the Feeling Friends work together to learn about emotions and have fun!

If you purchase eight of our Feeling Friends books (priced at $25),* you are eligible for a free puppet show. Books must be purchased directly from Everfield Press. Buy at book fairs or using the QR codes directly from our website! The free puppet show is still subject to our usual travel restrictions.

· Age: preschool to 2nd grade.

· Length: 20 minutes.

· Number of participants: between 2-100 participants.

From Nonfiction to Fiction: Karen discusses the difference between real and imaginary as it relates to her fictional characters. Students will also hear the real-life story that inspired her fictional Emotatudes series that is now a seven-book series book series. Students will learn the steps behind writing a book, and the differences (and similarities) of writing fiction and nonfiction. Entertaining and educational, this is one of Karen’s highest-rated presentations.

· Age: grades 2-5.

· Length: 45-60 minutes. Includes time for Q&A.

· Number of participants: Works well with large assemblies or smaller groups.

Rates

I’ve done my best to keep my rates affordable. I understand the burden that schools and libraries face when it comes to budgets. I respect and admire all who work with kids and books and appreciate the mutual respect for my profession.

FREE – Skype Visit.

· Includes 10 minutes of Q&A.

· PREREQUISITE The class should be prepared, & have read books in advance.

FREE – Storytime & Signing.

· PREREQUISITE : Karen is already planning to be in the area.

FREE [with purchase], $75 [regular price] – Feeling Friends Puppet Show

· Includes one Feeling Friends Puppet show.

· Does not include travel costs.

· PREREQUISITE Buy eight $25 Feeling Friends books, and get a free puppet show.

$150 – Large Group Presentation.

· Includes questions, signing, or a meet-and-greet with one of our Feeling Friends puppets..

· PREREQUISITE For local events only. May be added on to an existing out-of-area trip.

$250 – A half-day.

· About 3 hours which will fit 1-2 large-group presentations.

· Includes the option for a Q&A, a meet-and-greet with a Feeling Friends puppet, and a book signing. Due to time constraints, we must do these as a joint event between both presentations.

$400 – A full day.

· About 6 hours which will fit 3-4 large-group presentations

· Includes the option for a Q&A, a meet-and-greet with a Feeling Friends puppet, and a book signing. Due to time constraints, we must do these as a joint event between all presentations.

· For a full day, a lunch break is required. Please be sure to plan for this in your schedule.

PLEASE ASK ABOUT LOCAL (Gainesville), IN-STATE (Florida), or MULTI-DAY VISIT DISCOUNTS.

Rates do not include travel costs such as mileage, flight, hotel, or car rental. See contact info below and let us know if you need to work within a certain budget. We can be flexible!

IDEAS FOR FUNDING A VISIT

Apply for a chance to win a free author visit + $300 worth of books.
Check Karen’s event calendar at https://everfieldpress.com/events and book her when she’s already planning to be in your area to save on travel costs.
Share travel costs with other schools, libraries, or daycares in your district and book multiple events in the same day/week for discounted daily rates.
Book Karen Porter & another author together! They’ll offer a discounted rate plus share one hotel room. They can visit different classrooms or present together depending on your school district’s needs
Raise funds through book sales. Schools will get a significant discount when ordering through Karen’s publisher Everfield Press and Karen will sign/personalize each book for your students.
Ask the Parent/Teacher Association or another special interest group for assistance.
Apply for a community or educational grant from local organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, or Optimists.
Book an Authors for International Happiness Day event with Karen, and she’ll donate 50-100% to a charity chosen by your student body.
Choose a low-cost (or no-cost) Skype visit.

READY TO BOOK? Dates are secured through filling out the contact form on the Everfieldpress website, or by sending your organization’s standard speaker contract

Contact Us to Book a Puppet Show

Our Feeling Friends Puppet Show gives you and your students the chance to meet Ada and the rest of the Feeling Friends! Participants get to watch the Feeling Friends work together to learn about emotions and have fun!

Have a question or want to learn more about booking a puppet show? Get in touch with us today and we'll be happy to help.