Public Speaking

Katherine is available to speak on a variety of subjects for children or adult audiences.

For Children

Sample presentations include:

Trying Something New (ages 3-8)

Using Sylvia’s Spinach as a guide, Katherine talks about why people like different foods, and introduces the concept of taste testing using fresh spinach.

Let’s Reduce Food Waste (ages 3-8)

Using Zora’s Zucchini as a guide, Katherine introduces U.S. food waste statistics and helps the audience brainstorm solutions to this real-life problem.

Bee the Change (ages 4-8)

Using Bea’s Bees as a guide, Katherine discusses the declining number of bees, and identifies things kids can do to help bees in their communities.

What’s in Season? (ages 3-8)

Using Spring Is For Strawberries as a guide, Katherine explains the concept of produce seasonality, why eating local food matters, and helps the audience identify places to find seasonal foods in their community.

Edit Like a Pro (ages 8 & up)

Katherine discusses the importance of revision in the process of a draft becoming a book, using real-life editorial examples from the publishing journey of Zora’s Zucchini, which (in)famously required over 40 drafts before becoming a book.

Other subjects or formats available upon request.

Katherine is currently booking outdoor and virtual school visits.

For Adults

Sample presentations include:

Growing Food Literacy:
Connecting Kids, Books, and Food

This presentation is designed for anti-hunger organizations, nutrition advocates, or garden educators who are interested in utilizing books as part of their outreach strategies. Katherine shares strategies organizations have utilized to use books to connect kids with healthy foods, and can suggest age-appropriate books upon request.

Writing Picture Books

This presentation is designed for writers interested in the children’s book market. Katherine provides an overview of the different types of books published for children, with a specific focus on the art and structure of picture books.

Creative Approaches to Book Marketing

This presentation is designed for published and pre-published writers and illustrators. Katherine discusses the pros and cons of self-publishing, marketing approaches based on the scale of publisher, and seeking niche publicity. The presentation concludes with an exercise for attendees to brainstorm unconventional marketing strategies for their work.

Other subjects available upon request.

Past speaking engagements include:

  • University of Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed Program, Statewide Read-Aloud & Author Chat
  • Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, Author Panel & Statewide Read-Alouds
  • Big Green, Growing Food Literacy
  • Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Food Literacy Summer Series
  • California WIC Association Annual Conference, Featured Speaker
  • Nutrition First/WA WIC Association Conference, Keynote Speaker
  • Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators Western Washington, Presenter
  • National Farm to School Conference, Moderator and Lightening Presenter
  • Tilth Rainier Beach Farm Fest
  • GreenPlay Northwest Harvest Festival
  • Seattle Children’s Museum, Drop Everything And Read
  • Slow Food USA, Garden Story Time
  • World Read Aloud Day

Too many school, bookstore & library presentations to count!