School, Library and Public Visits

As my deadlines and demands have increased, I've greatly limited my travel. I may take selected events depending on my schedule. I am definitely available for events in and around Los Angeles, and for teacher and librarian conferences anywhere. I am more likely to say yes if you are booking more than one day or one school outside of L.A. I'm so sorry about that ... but there are other ways to be in touch.

I have limited availability for Skype school visits (I do charge for my time) or I sometimes do short video presentations where I answer your questions. Obstacles to Skype visits are the technical difficulties and the sometimes oppressive paperwork for a 20-minute chat.
Contact me if you're interested.

If you are using The World According to Humphrey for a One School, One Book event, please let me know and I will try to help out.

THE ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY books are geared toward 7-11 year olds, but are also appropriate for younger children as a read-aloud. (Many first-grade teachers use them this way.) Highlights of the presentation include:

• Betty's early desire to be a writer (with samples) and writing career
• How the character of Humphrey was born and evolved, including early notes
• Learning about hamsters: rodent research!
• All About Humphrey – more than you can imagine!

Betty's presentation is 45-minutes to an hour and includes hilarious animations and visuals, humor and student interaction. It helps if students are familiar with the books (teacher may read some of the book before the visit)

In a presentation rich with anecdotes and family photos, Betty explains how her family's oft-told tales (true and otherwise) inspired and informed this award-winning book. Territory covered includes:

• How and where she got the idea for the book and the material for each story
• How each story is actual two or more stories woven together
• How fact shapes fiction
• The importance of listening to, retelling and passing on family stories

It's important that students are somewhat familiar with the book.