Posts Tagged ‘virtual author visits’

Special Virtual Presentations and Workshops with FIRE TRUCK VS. DRAGON creators: Chris Barton and Shanda McCloskey

Filed under: Uncategorized | October 7, 2020


We (Chris Barton and Shanda McCloskey) love hanging out with educators and their students, and welcome the opportunity to plan a special FIRE TRUCK VS. DRAGON visit for your whole school or individual class(es).

Build-Your-Own-Visit:


All visits start with a quick intro to the book and its creators (5 minutes)
Choose 3 or 4 more sections to be included in your presentation:


– Live reading of FIRE TRUCK VS. DRAGON (10 minutes)
– Let’s talk about “expectations” in/out of the book (10 minutes)
– A peek behind the scenes of FT vs D (10 minutes)
– Opposites! (10 minutes)
– Dragon or Fire Truck drawing demo for kids to follow along (10 minutes)
– Q&A session with prepared or on-the-spot questions (10 minutes)


Great for grades Pre-K all the way through 5th, as the presentations are tailored to the ages. If you can’t decide which parts to include, we can choose for you (based on our favorites) if you like.


Price: $450 (35-45 min). If your school is willing to promote a signed book sale (online), we are happy to take $50 off the visit!

“Friendly Opposites” Single-Day Writing Workshop:


In this single-day workshop, Chris will lead students through a collaborative process of creating their own “friendly opposites” story while Shanda illustrates it in real time! Best for small groups, grades 1st – 5th.


Price: $450 (45-55 min). If your school is willing to promote a signed book sale (online), we are happy to take $50 off the visit!

“Creating in a Team” Multi-Day Writing & Illustrating Workshop:


In this 3-day virtual workshop, students get to spend individual and combined time with Chris and Shanda, learn/practice storytelling techniques (in words and pictures), and get a taste of what it’s like to work on a story with others! Best for small groups in grades 3rd – 5th.


Price: $850 (3 sessions). If your school is willing to promote a signed book sale (online), we are happy to take $50 off the visit!

  • Day 1: Students will create a short piece of writing with author, Chris Barton. (45 min)
  • Day 2: With illustrator, Shanda McCloskey, students will create a single illustration for a fellow student’s writing from the previous day. (45 min)
  • Day 3: Shanda, Chris, and the class virtually gather to see some of the collaborations that students made and any last Q and A. (45 min)

Have questions? Ready to set up a visit? 

Contact Chris at https://chrisbarton.info/contact-me.html or Shanda at theshanda@yahoo.com.



Here’s a printable version of this info: 

Shanda McCloskey, Children's Illustrator & Author