Presentations

I am available for visits to school, libraries, bookstores, cultural events, and professional organizations.

For Children: My 45 to 60-minute school presentations are geared for students Grade K through 8th grade, and include readings from my books and slides to illustrate my talk. Small groups are preferred - fewer than 100 if possible.

For Adults: I also enjoy speaking with adult groups - teachers, librarians, community groups, etc.

Fees and Author Visit Information: For fees and additional details, please contact me at ann.ed.stalcup@gmail.com

SCHOOL VISITS
Visiting schools and talking to students about my life, the writing process, and my books is always exciting. As a teacher there is nothing I enjoy more than filling students with an enthusiasm for both reading and writing.

TESTIMONIALS -- LEO POLITI,  ARTIST OF THE ANGELS
From Adults . . .
"The audience was enthralled by Ann Stalcup. Her book, "Leo Politi, Artist of the Angels", has been widely promoted and admired. Ann spoke of her long friendship with Leo, and the mutual interest they shared in the history of Los Angeles and its children. Ann, an elementary school teacher, has seen the impact that Leo's books have had on children. What a beautiful book . . . a treasure to own and present as a gift." -- FOCAL Award Luncheon

"The highlight of the afternoon was a talk and slide show by local author Ann Stalcup. She described first meeting Leo Politi in 1979 at the Blessing of the Animals Parade in Olvera Street. . . it was recollections like these that made Ann's talk so memorable. When Politi died in 1996, Ann felt she had to write his biography. We thank Ann for persevering with her task so that we may all become acquainted with Leo Politi's touching life story." -- Watts Towers Politi Exhibit

"I went to the most wonderful lecture at the Huntington by the author of the book about Leo Politi. I was in tears, I was so touched. I went home and e-mailed my relatives that I wanted nothing but Politi books for Christmas." -- Excerpt from a letter to one of my friends. (The writer didn't know that her friend knew me.)

"At least half a dozen people came up to me and thanked me profusely for inviting you to speak to us. Several said you should be invited back. They all thought you were the best program we have had in a long long time." -- Karen De Bellis, San Juan Capistrano Mission Docents

From Children . . .
"Thank you for talking about Leo Politi and being an author. I was very inspired and I really enjoyed learning more about art and writing. You were very persuasive . . . I have been working on a book at home and I was about to give up. You helped me get the idea to keep writing." -- Milenn, El Oro Way Elementary School, Granada Hills

"Your presentation made me want to read your stories. It also made me want to read Leo Politi’s stories. It kinda even made me want to write myself." -- Ayan, Canyon Charter School, Santa Monica

"I really liked how you expressed your friendship with Leo Politi." -- Isadora, Canyon Charter School, Santa Monica

And From Teachers and Librarians . . .
"We had a wonderful day with you yesterday and even this morning as I have walked around the campus the children are still talking about your visit. A couple of the teachers have told me stories about activities they have done in their classes because of your message to them and the results are GREAT!!! It is wonderful that people like you are willing to come out to talk to, and inspire, children. With so much testing and teaching to the test, some of the fun things of school are getting lost. Yesterday the fun was put back into school thanks to you." - - Cory Wheeler, Librarian, Willmore Elementary School, Westminster

"Ann Stalcup presented a lively, fun-filled and informative program based on her extensive knowledge of Leo Politi and her book Leo Politi: Artist of the Angels. Her program was of interest to adults and children and the comments I got from everyone were positive and heart-felt. Her love of her subject, books, and people was evident in her presentation. It was a pleasure having her here." -- Carol Lloyd, Librarian, The Rancho Mirage Public Library

"The kids were really touched by your talk and the adults were enthralled." -- Robin, Teacher, El Oro Way Elementary School, Granada Hills

"I really enjoyed your talk and loved the personal parts about when you got to know Leo Politi and about how movie-star handsome he was. Thanks for doing your presentation for FOCAL. I know the children learned and the parents learned. You introduced them to a wonderful artist and to part of their own history. I'll bet they will now begin to recognize Leo's work. What could be more important than bringing his work alive again." -- Barbara Metzenbaum, Librarian - at FOCAL's, "Sundays at Central," Los Angeles Public Library

TESTIMONIALS -- ON THE HOME FRONT, GROWING UP IN WARTIME ENGLAND

From Teachers . . . 

"It was so wonderful to hear you share the incredible childhood experiences that led to your writing this amazing book. Our children were dazzled by what you had to say . . . Thank you for coming to inspire our young minds and future writers." -- Christina Medina, Teacher, Jefferson Elementary School

"Your presentation was the best one I've seen in my nine years at Nogales." -- Brenda Schearer, Teacher, Los Nogales School

From Children . . . 

"I really do appreciate that you came out to Clairbourn to talk to us about World War II in England. It made such an impact on me. Your conveyances of the memories were just wonderful, and the little side stories brought out joy in the difficult time. You are one of the best authors I have heard talk. I also have really been taking to heart your advice about how to improve my writing. Writing, especially making up stories, has never been my strong suit, but I have been enjoying it more lately, as I feel it is getting easier and better. Thank you so much for taking some time to come out and talk to us!" -- Marisa D., Grade 8, Clairbourn School, San Marino, CA

"After listening to you talk I feel as if I could have been there." -- David, Grade 4

"I felt warm inside as if my grandma had made her magnificent cookies." -- London, Grade 4

"I loved the story you told about the cake ingredients from Australia and how Auntie's ashes accidentally got baked into the cake. It made my toes crinkle." -- Becca, Grade 5

"I was on the edge of my seat when you talked about the air raids. . . to know that your house could get bombed any night would scare the pants off of me." -- Daniel, Grade 5

"You're one of the few people I know who was alive during World War ll." -- Alan, Grade 7

"I loved your presentation so much I wouldn't have minded if it had lasted longer. If there was a rating scale from 0 to 10, I would pick 9."-- Eddy, Grade 7

PARTIAL LIST OF PRESENTATIONS AT SCHOOLS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, CULTURAL EVENTS, AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Whitewood Branch Library, Whittier
Playa Vista Elementary School
Windsor Hills Elementary School, LA
University Women's Club, Encino
St Martin of Tours Elementary School, Brentwood
South Pasadena Library
Bank of Books, Malibu
Pasadena Book Festival, CA
The Open Book, Thousand Oaks
Barnes and Noble, Santa Monica
Del Oro Way Elementary School, Granada Hills
Fair Elementary School, LA
Esperanza Elementary School, LA
Pilgrim School, LA
Blessing of the Animals event, Olvera Street, LA
Temple Beth Emmet, LA
Fresno Art Museum
Magnolia Elementary School, LA
First Street Elementary School, LA
Pico House, Olvera Street, Los Angeles
San Fernando Valley Historical Society
Politi Elementary School, LA
Ramona Elementary School, LA
Clairbourn School, San Marino
Welby Way Elementary School, Woodland Hills
Heritage Day, Olvera Street, LA
Orange County Book Festival
North Valley Historical Society
Hart Elementary School, Woodland Hills
Canoga Park Elementary School, Woodland Hills
Arroyo Seco School, LA
Baldwin Hills Elementary School, LA
Braddock Elementary School, West LA
Clairmont Schoo, San Marinol
Humboldt Author Festival
Westerners Organization, Los Angeles
Hesby Elementary School, LA
Aroyo Seco School, LA
Baldwin Hills Elementary School, LA
Braddock Elementary School, LA
Los Angeles Antiquarian Society, Hollywood - Adult Club
Bright Elementary School, LA
28th Street Elementary School, LA
Loren Miller Elementary School, LA
Tulsa Elementary School's Festival of Books, Granada Hills
Guest author at CRA's first author luncheon with an emphasis on promoting reading.
Westminster School District's Festival of Books
Ocean Charter, Venice, CA
Mission Viejo Author Fair
Eureka Author Festival
Rosemont Elementary School, LA
Elysian Heights Elementary School, LA
Sunrise Elementary School, LA
Mrs. Fields' Book Store
Every Picture Tells A Story (children's book store and gallery)
Childrens' Book World
Watts Towers: Italian Festival
Deisel Book Store
Music Center-sponsored program for teachers - Olvera Street
Friends of the Chinatown Library
Chinatown Businessmens' Association
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (book signing)
Canyon Elementary School
Los Angelitas, Olvera Street
SCBWI Writer's Schmooze, Pasadena
SCBWI Writer's Schmooze, Manhattan Beach
Folk Tree Collection, Pasadena
Culver City Library
FOCAL Lunch, Los Angeles
Vroman's Book Store, Pasadena
Calaban Elementary School, Northridge
Mark Twain Elementary School, Lawndale
El Oro Way Elementary School, Granada Hills
South Pasadena Volunteer Luncheon
Wonder of Reading Event - Los Angeles Public Library
Bakersfield Young Authors' Fair
Ocean View School District
Alhambra School District Authors' Fair
Los Angeles Public Library (several sites)
Olvera Street - presentation to visiting school children
Catholic Library Association
CSLA Author Breakfast
Saints Simon and Jude School
Huntington Beach Authors Fest (Annually)
South Bay Authors Fair (Annually)
Long Beach Authors Festival (Annually)
Melody of Words Festival (Annually)
Fountain Valley School District Authorfest
Camarillo Author Day (Annually)
Northridge Middle School
Tustin Authors Festival (Annually)
Santa Monica Seniors Group
Oakwood School, North Hollywood
Encino Authors Fair (Annually)
American Association of University Women, Thousand Oaks
Huntington Museum - Members Shopping Night
FOCAL organization - "Sundays at Central"
San Juan Capistrano - Mission Docent’s Group
Rancho Mirage Public Library
Leo Politi Secret Garden Party, Fresno
Castelar Elementary School, Chinatown, LA
Feria de Libros, City Hall, Los Angeles
El Oro Way Elementary School, Granada Hills
Playa Vista Public Library
Studio City Public Library
Woodward Park Library, Fresno
San Juan Capistrano Mission School
"Art Night" at Pasadena Library
Gant Elementary School, Long Beach
Politi Centennial "Kick Off" Event
FOCAL event at the main Los Angeles Public Library
DeMille Elementary School, Westminster
South Pasadena Library - presentations for both children and adults
Kaiser Elementary School, Newport
Los Primeros Magnet, Camarillo
University Prep School, Camarillo
Taft High School Author Fair
Manchester Elementary School, Northern California
Point Arena Elementary School, Northern California
Four-Eyed Frog Book Store, Gualala
Smiley Library, Redlands
Literary Guild of Orange County
Lockhurst Elementary School, Woodland Hills
Brea Community Art Gallery
Thousand Oaks Library
Torrance Public Library
Santa Monica Public Library
Leo Politi Public Library, Fresno
St. Anthony's Christian School, Fresno
Whittier Public Library
Cantara School, Reseda
Mayfield Christian School, Pasadena
Monterey Public Library
Park School, Alhambra
Meairs Elementary School, Westminster
Newport Mesa Author Fair
Whittier College Author's Day
University Club, Whittier
Sundance Elementary School, San Diego
Platt Library, Woodland Hills
American Association of University Women, Glendora
Corona Del Mar Library