MAINE HONORARIUM
Full day - $1,200 - 4 x 45 minute or 5 x 30 min sessions maximum
Half day (morning) - $800 3 sessions maximum
Assembly $450 (1 hour)
Mileage 72.5c (IRS standard business rate). (Zip 04915)
If the driving distance is over 90 minutes one way, hotel accommodation/meal allowance may be required. For long distance visits flights may be required.
Public Library Visit - $250 45 min program. At this time I’m only able to visit libraries 40 miles from Belfast, Maine. If your library is further away I can offer a half or full day visit - you may be able to pair with a local school or homeschool group.
LONGER RESIDENCIES - Please inquire
REST OF USA - Please inquire
INTERNATIONAL - Please inquire
If schools/library wish to share a visit in the same area I am willing to accommodate if possible.
Comments from Educators
I applied for an Arts Education grant. With the students, Hazel put together a plan of how they would complete the process of creating a book from brainstorming to publication. Students researched and wrote about what life was like both in the past and today here in Maine. Hazel helped students bring their knowledge to life by helping them create vibrant illustrations to complement their writing. Our fourth grade students created a class book that Hazel helped us submit to an independent publishing website, Lulu. With this real published product in their hands, the students felt accomplished as both writers and illustrators, with an enormous thanks to Hazel. With her attention to detail, she made sure students truly understood and appreciated both the written and artistic processes.
In addition to this learning journey, Hazel has visited my classroom as a visiting artist. Her experience as a children's book illustrator go beyond the pages of her books. She is an incredibly talented artist and works very well with students. I recommend her to any school who is looking for a visit from a talented individual!
Sarah Glazier, Fourth Grade Teacher, Corinna Elementary School, Maine.
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We invited author/illustrator Hazel Mitchell to our school as part of our Title 1 parent outreach efforts. She spent the day giving presentations on author/illustrator craft to our grades 1-3 students. That same evening, she did a presentation for students and families on the importance of reading aloud to children. Both presentations were very well done and enjoyed! Her student presentation was interactive, with students doing a draw-along of the title character from her current book, Toby. Students were very engaged and were still talking about the experience days later. The evening parent presentation was also interactive, with people chosen from the audience to participate in acting out the story of Toby. We had specifically requested that Mrs. Mitchell focus her evening presentation on the importance of reading aloud, and she did not disappoint. She used humor and authentic examples to drive home the point that reading aloud to children helps them become better readers later in life. The results of an exit survey for this event were overwhelmingly positive, specifically citing the interactive nature of the presentation. If you are considering inviting an author to visit your school, I highly recommend Hazel Mitchell.
Concetta Clark, Title 1 Interventionist / Lead Teacher, Bloomfield Elementary, Skowhegan, Maine
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Hazel Mitchell presented a story and workshop session for us. The afternoon was a huge success thanks to Hazel’s enthusiasm and ability to engage in such a warm, genuine way with the children. The age range was wide, from 3 year olds to 9 year olds, and the majority of the children were not English speakers. Nevertheless, Hazel caught their attention immediately and drew them into the activity, ensuring that they all understood at their own level. Using the story as the starting point, she talked about the illustrations and how she draws, and discussed with the children how characters and pictures can be created – Hazel had a big white board and the children each had large pieces of paper and coloured pens. They all spent a fantastic afternoon exploring different techniques, creating their own illustrations from the pictures in the book. The whole session was interactive with the children contributing their ideas and trying out Hazel’s suggestions. Hazel also did a drawing for each child to take home – again drawing on their ideas and creating a fun picture for each of them. All of the children participated for the full two hour session – which is a real reflection of the extent to which they were engaged and enjoying themselves. They went home delighted with the pictures that they themselves had created, and also as proud owners of a signed illustration by a ‘real illustrator’. I’m sure that it is an experience they will not forget, and we have since had several of the children back in the shop with pictures that they have done on their own at home.
For us the activity was a real pleasure. Hazel is a true professional – she works easily and confidently with children and engages with them at their level, building up a rapport with them that ensures a natural interaction during the workshop. Our very mixed audience responded immediately to her enthusiasm and the session was exciting, fun and full of laughter. The children also learnt a great deal about illustrations, and the older children in particular will have gone away with much food for thought. We would be delighted to have Hazel back at any point – this visit will certainly be remembered as a very successful Treasure Trove afternoon.
Jane Still, Manager Treasure Trove, Brussels, Belgium
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We had the pleasure of having Hazel Mitchell come to SCBWI Belgium conference in April 2013 where she did workshops both for kids and for adults. Hazel is not only a talented artist, but also one of those rare people who immediately makes everyone feel comfortable. She delighted the children and captivated the adults with her spontaneity and charm.
We would gladly have her again and highly recommend her for all ages groups.
Dina Von Lowencraft, SCBWI RA, Belgium
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Hazel is gifted with the wonderful combination of being both an enthusiastic and organized presenter. I walked away with new insights about how to do my own work and was totally inspired by her career and talent. Her passion for children's book stories is contagious.
Kirsten Carlson, SCBWI Regional Advisor and International Illustrator Coordinator
