Author Visits to your School by Author/Illustrator Timothy Young
Aside from being the author/illustrator of 6 published books, Timothy Young has been a toy designer, illustrator, sculptor, puppet maker, and graphic designer. His work has been seen on television, in major magazines and on toy shelves worldwide. He majored in illustration at Pratt Institute and has over 30 years experience as a professional artist. He would be excited to come to your school for assemblies, classroom, library, and art room visits. He can tailor his visits for students from pre-school through high school, with readings, discussions, drawing demonstrations and interactive activities.
“Timothy Young's visit to our school has left smiles on our hearts forever. His presentations were engaging for all ages because of his wonderful ability to adapt them for any audience. With his kind heart and warm ways, he made everyone feel special and included. I loved how he moved around the room during his presentation so that the students in the back could get a "front row" seat to his drawing talents. Getting the teachers involved in his silly antics will always be treasured moments as well. His books were asked for before his visit, but now? They haven't had a chance to rest on our shelves ever since!”
Kelly Spector - TK-5 Librarian
NEW Academy Canoga Park, Canoga Park, CA
The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD - June 2016
"Illustration Over the Centuries:"
Tim was asked to do a presentation on the history of children’s book illustration to coincide with their summer art exhibit; Turning The Page: Children’s Book Illustration.
Sharjah International Book Fair, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - November 2016
Tim was excited to be invited to do 6 days of drawing and character design workshops with children from all over the Middle East at the worlds third largest book fair.
“Our school was fortunate to host Timothy Young this spring. He was a wonderful presenter to all grade levels. I got terrific feedback from students and staff how much they enjoyed hearing all about his books and his journey to becoming an author. Students loved when he showed them how to find pictures in their scribbles. It was a great visit that ended all too soon.”
Tim has visited dozens of schools and libraries. He’s appeared onstage at book festivals, conferences and was the keynote speaker at the Maryland Association of School Librarians Black-Eyed Susan Awards ceremony in 2013. As a picture book author/illustrator, most of his assemblies have been for elementary schools, but he has also done workshops and talks with middle and high school students, as well as adults, about the process of putting together a picture book and about creative careers.
Stacey Hazuda - Media Specialist
Hollywood Elementary School - Hollywood, MD
Preschool students enjoying a reading of "I'm Looking For A Monster!"
Elementary School Assemblies:
It was a pleasure having Timothy Young visit our school. The students were thrilled to meet him and hear how he became an author and illustrator. Our teaching staff loved how he customized his presentations to meet the needs of each grade and it was wonderful to see his books come to life as he read them aloud. I especially enjoyed working with Mr. Young and found him to be flexible, friendly and engaging throughout the entire process of booking and presenting. A genuine pleasure!
The structure for many of his elementary school assemblies is:
• 45 minutes with the kindergarten and 1st-grade classes.
• 1 hour with the 2nd and 3rd graders.
• 1 hour with the 4th and 5th grade classes.
Each assembly is geared towards the appropriate grade levels. A one-hour assembly usually consists of book readings, then a question and answer period which flows into a drawing demonstration. Tim starts by creating a brand new character explaining the process of using your imagination to guide your drawings. He then does an interactive drawing lesson in which the students provide scribbles on a white board which Tim then uses to “discover” creatures and characters hidden in them. He also brings samples of toys and other things he’s designed over his career.
“Our students enjoyed every activity that Mr. Young presented. But everyone’s favorite was scribbling on his pad and watching him turn their mess into a cute, and recognizable picture. It was a fun filled afternoon!”
Kim Shaw, MAEd and MLS - Media Coordinator
Willis Hare Elementary School - Pendleton NC
Debbie Troop - 4th Grade Teacher
Hillside Elementary School - Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Tim demonstrates how to draw a monster.
“Our school invited author/illustrator, Tim Young, back for a second visit to provide student assemblies for our school-wide reading incentive program finale, and one evening presentation during our school’s summer reading kick-off event. Students, teachers, and parents enjoyed the read-alouds of his books. Students, especially, were engaged in the interactive process of creating and illustrating characters--real and imagined.”
Joanna Bowder - Reading Specialist
Octorara Primary Learning Center - Atglen, PA
Here are some examples of other programs Tim Young has done.
Gifted and Talented Showcase at Winters Mill High School - May 2013
"Creativity and Careers"
Tim spoke to a group of student artists and their families about his very creative career as an animator, illustrator and writer. He brought samples of some of the toys he has designed and sculpted as well as protoypes and animation models.
In Celebration of Books, Gunston Day School - October 2013
"Toys, Picture Books and Cartoons; How to make a living by not being a grown-up"
Exploring creative and artistic possibilities, Tim Young talked to high school students about some of the fun and interesting jobs he’s had and looked at some of the ways students can take their interests, abilities and passions and turn them into future careers. Mr. Young showed examples that the class examined, including hand-made book dummies and toy prototypes.
Other Presentation and Workshops:
“Never has a scribble looked so appealing and held so much meaning than it did for the students of Newbury School during your author visit. What a great lesson in creativity and perseverance you communicated to the students when you showed them how to transform a scribble into a drawing. I am so thrilled to tell you that my desk is filled with happy scribble drawings.
As you know, Newbury School LOVES picture books, and your presentation of I Hate Picture Books provided an opportunity for students and staff to make life-long meaningful connections to a large array of books past and present. Many students are borrowing the picture books you have re-created in your clever story!
Lastly, your patience and professionalism in answering all of the students’ questions really resonated with the teachers! It is easy to tell that you enjoy being around and inspiring children to be creative thinkers.
Can we just put in that you are a really cool guy too?
Tim reads to Kindergarteners and their parents.
How to book a school visit:
School visit fees depend on the size of the school, travel distance and the number of assemblies. We work very hard to come up with a fee structure that is right for your school. A PDF contract is sent along with a PDF book order form that can be printed and sent home with the students. These can be collected by the school a week or so before the event so that the correct number of autographed books can be prepared ahead. You can see a sample here. PDF coloring pages are also included as well as bookmarks for all students.
The only things the school needs to provide is an LCD projector and screen (if a school does not have one a program can be done without one).
Please contact us with any questions or special needs. We're always happy to tailor a program to fit your students and schedule. Y
ou can email Tim Young at info@creaturesandcharacters.com
A printable version of this information is available here.
Josephine Schneider - Educational Media Specialist
Newbury Elementary School - Howell, NJ
Tim reads "Shadows On My Wall" at the Collingswood Book Festival.
