Miranda Paul – The Booking Biz

Miranda Paul is a former classroom teacher and award-winning author for children. Her debut, ONE PLASTIC BAG: ISATOU CEESAY AND THE RECYCLING WOMEN OF THE GAMBIA, has been included on more than 10 state lists and was named a Green Earth Book Award Notable title. WATER IS WATER received a Highly Commended notation from the Charlotte Zolotow Book Award Committee, was chosen for Silicon Valley Reads, and won the Maryland Blue Crab Award. Her 2019 book, NINE MONTHS: BEFORE A BABY IS BORN was awarded a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor for nonfiction and LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES is a 2020 National Social Studies Trade Book and a Little Free Library Action Book Club Pick. Miranda Paul’s newest book, SPEAK UP, offers children accessible ways to use their voice to make a situation better.

Miranda travels around the world to share her enthusiastic presentations with students, entertaining and empowering them to recognize that most heroes are just ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things.

Miranda is also a co-founding member of the nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books, which advocates for and promotes books that reflect and honor the lives of all children. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and a bunch of rescue cats.

PRESENTATIONS

Laugh Out Loud

We all love to laugh, and a humorous story can get even the most reluctant reader interested in books. But WHY do we laugh at certain things? This interactive presentation will have students perform and engage with several of Miranda’s fictional stories as they investigate the specific tools and strategies writers use to make kids (and grown-ups) giggle. Kids will be ready to make up their own characters and stories as a result! Best suited for grades 1-3 or large assemblies. Length: 50-60 minutes (includes Q&A).

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

This game-show style presentation is suitable for students in grades 2-6. Students will learn the research/inquiry steps behind writing a book—revealing the differences (and similarities) between the processes of writing fiction and nonfiction. They will also hear the marathon-like story behind one or more of her books, from idea to publication. Entertaining and educational, this is one of Miranda’s highest rated presentations. Length: 60 minutes (includes time for Q&A). Works with large assemblies or smaller groups.

Workshop: Creating Characters

This 60-minute workshop helps young writers recognize how to make a protagonist interesting, relatable, and memorable. Miranda will give real examples from both fiction and nonfiction books as well as strategies and exercises for them to try. Best suited for independent writers in grades 3-6, in a small group (30 or fewer participants) with tables/desks. Students must bring paper/pencil.

Other Topics:

Growing A Movement! (with Farmer Tantoh) 25 min.

Interactive Storytime (PreK-Grade 1)

What Does a Writer Do? (Grades 1-3)

Writing or poetry workshops (Grades 3+)

The Book Marathon (Grades 4+)

Teacher Education /development

Gambian life and culture (Grades 1-6)

Diversity in children’s literature (Grades 7+)

Authors for Earth Day (All Ages/Special Event)

*** Custom Programs/Keynotes Available – Ask! ***

Miranda Paul also does presentations with her husband and co-author Baptiste Paul.