For media interviews, review copies, and industry events, please contact John’s publicist Kris Kam at kkam@penguinrandomhouse.com
I love visiting schools and meeting young writers and illustrators! I work with all grade levels, from K through middle school.
A typical author visit is an all-day affair, and includes:
• 3 presentations or workshops (45-55 minutes in length).
These are often organized by grade level (K&1, 2&3, and 4&5).
Lower Elementary
With younger kids, I talk about how I write my stories and get my ideas, and I show kids how, by using simple shapes, you can draw almost anything!
I then show them how I draw Max Meow using squares, circles, and triangles. During the second half of the presentation, create a brand-new character together, by mashing up different ideas, like an animal and a super power.
Upper Elementary/Middle School
I talk about my origins as a comoic book lover and cartoonist, how I came up with the idea for Max Meow, and a bit of history of cartooning, from the ancient hieroglyphs up to the Teenage Mutant Turtles! The second half of the presentation is an interactive drawing demonstration show them how I draw Max Meow using squares, circles, and triangles. During the second half of the presentation, I show them how to draw Max Meow, then we create a brand new character together, by mashing up different ideas
Whenever possible, I like students to bring pencil and paper so they can draw along with me. Clipboards, pencils and paper are great, but not necessary if space is limited.
View my School Visit Profile