ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

Tim Myers is a writer, storyteller, and songwriter. His The Furry-Legged Teapot is out from Cavendish (March '07) and got a great review from School Library Journal . Dark-Sparkle Tea (Wordsong '06) won excellent reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and SLJ. Good Babies (Candlewick '05) earned a strong review from Kirkus and childrenslit.com. Basho and the River Stones (Cavendish '04) was a Junior Library Guild selection; it also got excellent reviews in the New York Times, Kirkus, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, and a starred review in School Library Journal. Tanuki’s Gift (Cavendish '03) got an excellent boxed review with art in the New York Times and was a Nick Jr. Magazine “Best Book of the Year,” among other honors. Basho and the Fox was read on NPR by Daniel Pinkwater, made the New York Times bestseller list for children’s books, and was a Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book, among other honors. 

SPECIAL NOTICE: Basho and the River Stones has been nominated for a 2007 California Young Readers Award (Picture Books for Older Readers Category). Tim doesn't want to influence anyone's vote, but he thinks all California kids should vote for their favorites! Search for "California Young Readers Medal" or visit http://californiayoungreadermedal.org/index.htm.

Tim’s placed numerous pieces with top children’s magazines (Cricket group, Cobblestone group, Appleseeds, Storyworks, Highlights)--won a national poetry contest judged by John Updike and has an adult poetry chapbook coming out—won a prize in the international Writers of the Future Contest for science fiction/ fantasy—and has published much other fiction, non-fiction and poetry for kids and adults. He was a SCBWI Golden Kite picture-book judge for 2002, and one of his adult essays was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Tim has 32 years’ experience as a classroom and university teacher in the States and overseas; he currently teaches in education and English at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, California. He’s been a professional storyteller for 25 years—is the oldest of eleven children—and can actually whistle and hum at the same time.

(Note that there’s a different Tim Myers in North Carolina who writes mysteries like Innkeeping with Murder.  He’s a nice man with a wonderful name, but though the online bookstores tend to list us as the same person, he’s not me! Apologies for any confusion. If you're looking for me online, entering the name "Tim J. Myers" may help. Thanks!)

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

ALREADY RELEASED:

"It is not often we have a new fairy tale that rings as true as the old."

Amy S. Hansen, www.childrenslit.com

Marshall Cavendish

Basho and the Fox (2000)

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS:

I’m happy to work with you to “customize” my visit.  This might include emphasizing certain curricular themes, introducing kids to specifics about writing or literacy in general, or helping to inspire them in terms of reading and writing.  And I can often find oral stories to fit curricular standards or some particular focus you or your school are working on.  I can also talk to teachers, parents, or other adult groups—I’m open to lots of things! 

What I usually do are 20- to 40-minute sessions, organized by grade level, during which I talk about writing, read my books aloud, then tell stories.  I have a huge repetoire of tales from around the world, and I’ve found that the liveliness, inspiration and just plain fun of storytelling are very effective in reinforcing the principles of literacy we’re all trying to instill.  I’m also happy to do Q & A, and of course to sign my books.

ENDORSEMENTS:

"The students wish you would come every day--and so do the teachers...What a priceless gift for young writers."
--Priscilla Murphy, Principal, St. Lawrence Elementary & Middle Schools

"The kids can't stop talking about the funny story you told them...they were captivated."
--Cathy Stahl, Head Librarian, West Valley Elementary School

"You were a huge hit. Parents informed me you were our best guest speaker ever!"
--Cheryl Morris, Head Librarian, Kennedy Elementary School, Newark, CA

"Your presentation was age appropriate and captured our message of literacy...The teachers truly enjoyed how real you are. I believe it has a lot to do with you being a teacher yourself.""
--Marjan Wells, Meadow Heights Elementary School, San Mateo, CA

"I wish you could hear the wonderful feedback from your...visit...more than one teacher has said yours was the best author visit ever. I...enjoyed all your presentations, each one age-appropriate, warm and funny..."
--Kathryn Cimarelli, librarian, Vallecito School, San Rafael, CA

"I was struck with how, after every session, the kids couldn't tear themselves away as they both wanted and need to make a human connection with you. That speaks volumes!"
--PJ Charnofsky, librarian, Peninsula Heritage School, Greater L.A.

"I want to thank you for the WONDERFUL job you did…I have received nothing but compliments from teachers and students on how much they enjoyed your presentation and stories…”
--Teresa Zarrin, parent coordinator, Saratoga Elementary School, CA

“A dynamic storyteller…The magical stories you tell enthrall our youngsters…It is…a joy to see the joy in the faces of the children as you weave the tales…”
--Tom Glasglow, principal, Bailey Avenue Elementary School, NY

“His storytelling was fantastic and the classes and teachers so enjoyed the treat.  The fifth graders were particularly ‘puffed up’ by the experience…”
--David Hall, principal, Crown Point Elementary School, NY

"You’re one of those rare people…who combine intelligence, personal warmth, and passion, and can also relate all of that to kids…the way you talked about the books and told the stories made me imagine how great it would have been to have a teacher like you.”
--Luanne Cohen, Santa Clara University graduate student

"I was just accosted by everyone I saw all the way up to my office—they attended your presentation and LOVED it!…I can find no words to tell you how absolutely incredible your presentations were…you were…fabulous!”
--Heather Haskins, Clinton Community College, NY

"Your presentation…was just great!…incredible performance…”
--Dr. Ernie Coons, Plattsburgh State University, NY

"Thanks so much for coming!  Now I want to be an author!”  
--Lyn, second-grader, Cupertino Elementary School, CA

"Thank you for coming and telling us stories!  I love them so much!"
--Sam, third-grader, Oak Street School, NY

“The kids are all still buzzing about your presentation at our school…”
--Kerridwen, fifth-grader, Greenacres School, CA

"You made me laugh."    
--Katelyn, third-grader, Bakersfield, CA 

"I hate it when the stories are over…"
--Elle, third-grader, Oak Street School, NY 

FEES:

$100.00 per hour (includes travel time), $250 for "literacy nights" or similar programs, or $500 per day.

For presentations outside the greater Bay Area,
please contact Catherine Balkin at balkinbuddies.com.