Speaking

Kathleen will read aloud Happy Mamas or Raj, the Bookstore Tiger, share some fun facts about her homeland, Scotland, and share some background with the children about how she became an author.  (20 minutes)  

Using any one of her six picture books, Kathleen explores how stories are like journeys. What do we take in our suitcases? What obstacles might we meet? Will there be diversions? What are our favorite parts? What souvenirs will we bring back? These are some of the questions that form part of this thought provoking and popular presentation. (45-60 minutes) 

Kathleen will explore what inspiration is and how you can nurture it to live a more creative and joy-filled life. She will share the five Ps of inspiration behind all of her books and end with a Q & A session. (45-60 minutes)

Kathleen will explore her writer’s “roots” — exploring how her childhood in Scotland and Ireland led to her becoming a writer, a reader, a teller and a listener of stories. She will finish with some tips on how to keep your writer’s roots nourished and watered. (45-60 minutes) 

“The color of your thought dyes your soul.” – Marcus Aurelius. So too Kathleen believes that the color of her soul dyes her stories. In this presentation, she describes how her Celtic soul “dyed” her story, The Sandal Artist, and she explores ways in which the students can “put on” Jesus’ sandals, see the world with His eyes, and walk in His footsteps. Can be tailored for use with First Holy Communion/Confirmation/Sunday school classes.

Knowing that we are made in the image of our creator, is it any wonder that the path to happiness lies not in fame or fortune, nor in power or possessions?  Rather, it lies in the act of loving – be it toddlers or teenagers, friends or foes; in the act of creating, be it mud pies or mince pies, sandcastles or silly songs; and in the act of birthing new life into the world – sounds a lot like…. MOTHERHOOD!

In this presentation, Kathleen emphasizes the importance of nurturing a passion for stories in our little ones, explores the link between happiness and motherhood, and affirms her listeners as women who MOTHER the goodness in their children, in one another, and in the world.

Similar to the children’s presentation above but tailored for adult writers, Kathleen will explore her writer’s “roots” and finish with some tips on how to keep your writer’s roots nourished and watered.  

Tapping into her experience of reading aloud at an inner city school for over twenty years, Kathleen explores the similarities between good stories and good lives that are rooted in love, wonder, all wellness, courage and hope.  An inspiring session for people from all walks of life. 

It has been said that there are only two stories in the world: a hero goes on a journey, or a stranger comes to town. How we perceive people and see the world around us depends on…. our point of view.  This presentation, based on her award winning book, The Sandal Artist (Colorado Book Award finalist and 2013 World Storytelling Honor Award) encourages listeners to see that Point of View is not just a literary technique but a life lesson. 

In a world that offers an infinite bounty of books, how do parents choose what makes a great read aloud for a five-year-old or a twelve-year-old? Based on world literacy expert, Mem Fox’s words, “I believe reading aloud cures pretty much everything from warts to global warming,” this session emphasizes the importance of reading aloud to children of all ages, and explores the hallmarks of good stories that feed children’s hearts with hope and courage and joy. 

Kathleen’s book, The Giant King, has been used successfully in many schools as part of their anti-bullying campaign. In this presentation, Kathleen will explore the themes from this book: belonging, inclusiveness, and kindness. Teacher’s activity guide available, as well as a list of peace-building stories. (1 Hour) 

Suitable for church groups, MOPS groups, women’s conferences

Happy Mamas – An Ode to Mothers
Based on Kathleen’s most recent book, Happy Mamas
Similar to the general presentation above, Kathleen explores the link between happiness and motherhood, affirms her listeners as women of God who are called to be mirrors of grace and goodness and light by MOTHERING the holy in their children, in one another, and in the world.

Story as Prayer
Both Story and Prayer stem from a radical response to life.  Both Story and Prayer involve a “long, loving look at the real.”  Both Story and Prayer encourage us to see what Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “All of earth is crammed with Heaven.”  Both Story and Prayer feed our hearts and souls with wonder and awe, truth and beauty, grace and goodness, kindness and compassion.

Kathleen explores how sharing GOOD stories with children can deepen their love of the Lord and feed their souls with hope and joy.  She invites her audience to see the links between GOOD stories and an active prayer life and thus discover how we can all be little “words of God, who will one day join together to spell out His glory.”

In His Footsteps
Based on The Sandal Artist – Winner of the Bock Book Award for fostering Franciscan Values
What better way to teach your children how to walk in Jesus’ sandals than with a story?  In this presentation Kathleen invites her audience to explore how good stories can broaden our point of view, help us to walk a mile in another’s moccasins, see the world through another’s eyes, feel it with another’s heart, see the Christ in another, and thus find grace and beauty in unexpected places.