To inquire about a speaking engagement or author visit, please send a note to Carmen Oliver of The Booking Biz. Download a Promo Kit about
Mitali and her work, including author visits and other appearances.
Scroll down to read my policy and mission statement regarding
appearances and affiliations.
"Our school was abuzz from Mitali's visit ...
"Our school was abuzz from Mitali's visit ...
this was the BEST author visit we've ever had."
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
HOME IS IN BETWEEN: Code Switching as a Superpower
Venue: Classrooms, Libraries, or Assemblies
In
this engaging presentation for participants of any age, Mitali
describes how her own experience of growing up between cultures
empowered her for the rest of her life. Tailoring content for
elementary, middle, high school, or adult audiences, she talks about how
stories help us feel at home in the space "in between." Mitali reads Home is in Between aloud and responds to questions.BETWEEN US AND ABUELA: Grandmothers, Festivals, Neighbors
Venue: K-2 Classrooms, Libraries, or Assemblies
In this 30-minute presentation geared for younger students, Mitali describes her own experience of growing up far away from her grandmothers. In an engaging, age-appropriate way, she describes the festival of Las Posadas, how and why Friendship Park along the border was set up, and how the neighborly relationship between Mexico and the United States has changed. Using slides, Mitali reads Between Us and Abuela aloud and then takes questions from children.
BOOKS AS WINDOWS AND MIRRORS: Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy
BANGLADESH 101: Rickshaw Girl and Alpana Art Lesson
STORIES ON THE FIRE ESCAPE
In this 30-minute presentation geared for younger students, Mitali describes her own experience of growing up far away from her grandmothers. In an engaging, age-appropriate way, she describes the festival of Las Posadas, how and why Friendship Park along the border was set up, and how the neighborly relationship between Mexico and the United States has changed. Using slides, Mitali reads Between Us and Abuela aloud and then takes questions from children.
BOOKS AS WINDOWS AND MIRRORS: Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy Venue: Grades 3-5 Classrooms or Libraries
How are books both windows and mirrors to our lives? Students learn about growing up in a Bengali village as featured in the novels Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy. Differences and similarities between cultures are explored with laughter and stories.
How are books both windows and mirrors to our lives? Students learn about growing up in a Bengali village as featured in the novels Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy. Differences and similarities between cultures are explored with laughter and stories.
BANGLADESH 101: Rickshaw Girl and Alpana Art Lesson
Venue: Grades 2-5 Classrooms or Libraries
During this one-hour session, students learn about the author's Bengali heritage as featured in the novel Rickshaw Girl, and how the lives of girls in Bangladesh are changing for the better. They participate in an alpana art in lesson prepared by the author's mother, Madhusree Bose, a California Teacher of the Year and expert alpana painter. Teachers may prepare for the visit by using this dicussion/study guide.
During this one-hour session, students learn about the author's Bengali heritage as featured in the novel Rickshaw Girl, and how the lives of girls in Bangladesh are changing for the better. They participate in an alpana art in lesson prepared by the author's mother, Madhusree Bose, a California Teacher of the Year and expert alpana painter. Teachers may prepare for the visit by using this dicussion/study guide.
Venue: Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School Classrooms, Libraries, or Assemblies
Using a personal, humorous slide show, Mitali shares candidly about her experience of growing up and writing "between cultures," and the power of stories to keep us balanced. Students are encouraged to participate and the author's conversational style sparks lively responses. Read some wonderful letters from kids responding to "Stories on the Fire Escape."
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
Using a personal, humorous slide show, Mitali shares candidly about her experience of growing up and writing "between cultures," and the power of stories to keep us balanced. Students are encouraged to participate and the author's conversational style sparks lively responses. Read some wonderful letters from kids responding to "Stories on the Fire Escape."
Venue: Writing workshop for Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Writing well about place intensifies plot and brings characters to life. In this workshop, students consider how good writing engages all five senses, underlines a literary theme, and takes readers on journeys to other places. A directed exercise allows participants to apply and demonstrate what they've gained from the workshop. Read samples of great writing produced by eighth-graders during the workshop, and enthusiastic student responses to the presentation.
Writing well about place intensifies plot and brings characters to life. In this workshop, students consider how good writing engages all five senses, underlines a literary theme, and takes readers on journeys to other places. A directed exercise allows participants to apply and demonstrate what they've gained from the workshop. Read samples of great writing produced by eighth-graders during the workshop, and enthusiastic student responses to the presentation.
VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT: Ask Mitali Anything!
Venue: anywhere, via my computer and yours
Classrooms or groups can chat with Mitali virtually about writing in general, any of her books, life between cultures, or any other topic under the sun. She sits in front of her web cam with a cup of tea, you're gathered in your venue, and the discussion flows from there. See a brief sample here:
TRAVELING COMPANIONS: Exploring the Powerful Relationship Between Mothers and Daughters
Classrooms or groups can chat with Mitali virtually about writing in general, any of her books, life between cultures, or any other topic under the sun. She sits in front of her web cam with a cup of tea, you're gathered in your venue, and the discussion flows from there. See a brief sample here:
TRAVELING COMPANIONS: Exploring the Powerful Relationship Between Mothers and Daughters
Venue: Mother-Daughter Book Clubs
In an informal, intimate setting, participants explore "traveler's tips" for mothers and daughters who want to journey together through the years. If the group chooses to read one of Mitali's books before the event, discussion and sharing circles around the novel.
In an informal, intimate setting, participants explore "traveler's tips" for mothers and daughters who want to journey together through the years. If the group chooses to read one of Mitali's books before the event, discussion and sharing circles around the novel.
FOR ADULTS
JUST FICTION: Race, Culture, and Power in Books for Young ReadersVenue: Keynote
In a challenging, inspiring, practical talk for librarians, booksellers, parents, and/or educators, Mitali explores how and why stories empower kids to cross borders, widen hearts and imaginations, and build bridges between cultures. She presents ten questions that help us take a closer look at issues of race, culture, and power in fiction.
UNDER THE WATERLINE: Tips on Writing about Race, Culture, and Power
In a challenging, inspiring, practical talk for librarians, booksellers, parents, and/or educators, Mitali explores how and why stories empower kids to cross borders, widen hearts and imaginations, and build bridges between cultures. She presents ten questions that help us take a closer look at issues of race, culture, and power in fiction.
UNDER THE WATERLINE: Tips on Writing about Race, Culture, and Power Venue: Keynote or Workshop
How do we as creators of fiction avoid those dreaded flaws about race, culture, and power that might harm young readers? Mitali shares questions she asks herself as she crafts a story that will help other writers to deepen their narratives.
How do we as creators of fiction avoid those dreaded flaws about race, culture, and power that might harm young readers? Mitali shares questions she asks herself as she crafts a story that will help other writers to deepen their narratives.
HOW TO WRITE A MEMORY ... Without Losing Your Mind
Venue: Workshop or Seminar
Using modern-day examples of a hero's journey as well as a memory from her own life, Mitali uses slides, stories, and revision examples to inspire students to dig deep, tap into all five senses, and craft a scene from a childhood memory for a personal narrative. Participants will write in class and get feedback on the spot from the instructor in a guided, positive discussion.
Using modern-day examples of a hero's journey as well as a memory from her own life, Mitali uses slides, stories, and revision examples to inspire students to dig deep, tap into all five senses, and craft a scene from a childhood memory for a personal narrative. Participants will write in class and get feedback on the spot from the instructor in a guided, positive discussion.
DIALOGUE: Crafting Conversation in Fiction for Young Readers
Venue: Workshop or Seminar
Writing excellent dialogue is crucial when your audience is young readers, who are finely attuned to the way both adults and their peers converse with each other. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, participants practice writing lively conversation and learn to avoid seven common dialogue busters.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
Writing excellent dialogue is crucial when your audience is young readers, who are finely attuned to the way both adults and their peers converse with each other. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, participants practice writing lively conversation and learn to avoid seven common dialogue busters.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
Venue: Workshop
In this interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to weave together the three strands of plot/emotion, place, and character into a single, gripping scene. They will be equipped to engage the five senses in creating a sense of place to transport readers directly into the scene. Participants will write in class and get feedback on the spot from the instructor in a guided, positive discussion.
CALLED TO WRITE: Career + Vocation
In this interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to weave together the three strands of plot/emotion, place, and character into a single, gripping scene. They will be equipped to engage the five senses in creating a sense of place to transport readers directly into the scene. Participants will write in class and get feedback on the spot from the instructor in a guided, positive discussion.
CALLED TO WRITE: Career + Vocation
Venue: Keynote, Writers' Gathering
Mitali
offers writers and illustrators an inspirational, honest keynote about
how to keep a firm grip on the practical aspects of sustaining a career
as a professional and stay true to your vocational mission as a creative serving children.
Mitali
offers writers and illustrators an inspirational, honest keynote about
how to keep a firm grip on the practical aspects of sustaining a career
as a professional and stay true to your vocational mission as a creative serving children.
