I was blown away by Maria’s presentation. She kept my students enthralled with her family’s history in Amsterdam during the lead up to World War II. Her images, both archival photographs and drawn, were incredible and really made her stories come alive for teens. I highly recommend bringing her to schools as she both informs and inspires students to stand up against oppression, wherever they see it.”
— Gordon Jack, Librarian, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA
— Gordon Jack, Librarian, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA
Maria's presentation to my World Literature class was one of the best I've seen, yet. She was well-prepared, but more importantly, Maria was and is passionate about the material she is sharing with young people and its important messages around courage, doing the hard thing, the right thing, and the importance of hope, community and remembering the lessons of our past so as to create a better future. That passion shone through and enabled her to capture the attention of a group of teeangers, not an easy achievement.“
— Bruce McCormick, English teacher, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA
— Bruce McCormick, English teacher, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA
Maria’s presentation to our middle and high schoolers was amazing!
It was thoughtful and beautifully designed; the stories she told were incredibly engaging and we all walked away feeling like we had learned more about history through a personal and accessible lens. I highly recommend hosting Maria at your school!”
— Katherine Risi, Librarian, Denny Middle School, Seattle, WA
It was thoughtful and beautifully designed; the stories she told were incredibly engaging and we all walked away feeling like we had learned more about history through a personal and accessible lens. I highly recommend hosting Maria at your school!”
— Katherine Risi, Librarian, Denny Middle School, Seattle, WA
Maria instantly had the attention of the 160 students.
Her kind and engaging demeanor, fascinating and accessible stories quickly captured her audience. She connected her life to theirs through a history that is absolutely relevant to each of them and a passion that mirrors their interests. I can't count the number of "She was amazing"s and "That was so cool"s that filled the halls. Maria has made such a positive impact on our school!”
— Luke Azinger, Librarian, Chief Sealth High School, Seattle, WA
Her kind and engaging demeanor, fascinating and accessible stories quickly captured her audience. She connected her life to theirs through a history that is absolutely relevant to each of them and a passion that mirrors their interests. I can't count the number of "She was amazing"s and "That was so cool"s that filled the halls. Maria has made such a positive impact on our school!”
— Luke Azinger, Librarian, Chief Sealth High School, Seattle, WA
Maria delivered the most engaging and informative author talk to a group of students - she had them spellbound! The story she told about the people who took enormous risks to help others during WWII was like something out of an action movie and the students paid rapt attention. Maria's emphasis on the importance of art as resistance was empowering to our students, especially the graphic arts students. As a teacher librarian, I highly recommend Maria van Lieshout to talk to any school group.”
— Lori Lieberman, Librarian, Lincoln High School, Portland, OR
— Lori Lieberman, Librarian, Lincoln High School, Portland, OR
This was an event coordinator's dream event! Not an empty seat, hearts filled and a few loving tears.
An absolutely life changing story/event for everyone! I will never forget it!
— Jerry Thompson, Bookseller, Books Inc., Alameda, CA
An absolutely life changing story/event for everyone! I will never forget it!
— Jerry Thompson, Bookseller, Books Inc., Alameda, CA
We were delighted to bring Maria and her book Song of a Blackbird to our middle school students and their parents at Congregation Etz Chayim. She spoke eloquently and with passion about the story and her process and journey to create it. The students and parents were captivated. As a Jewish audience in contemporary America, the book resonates because it places the Jewish experience in the Netherlands within the context of the broader Dutch Resistance Movement. I highly recommend bringing Maria van Lieshout and Song of a Blackbird to your community
— Abra Greenspan, Director of Learning, Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto, CA
— Abra Greenspan, Director of Learning, Congregation Etz Chayim, Palo Alto, CA
The event was fabulous! We were so impressed and moved by the graphic novel itself, and with Maria's compelling slide show. We sold all our stock!"
— Jessica Green, Bookseller, Mrs. Dalloway’s, Berkeley, CA
— Jessica Green, Bookseller, Mrs. Dalloway’s, Berkeley, CA
When Maria spoke to a large group from our historical society , we were a mix of religious and non-religious people, and a cross-section from both of the US's major political parties.
Her message resounded in each soul because it helps us see that we share a moral line that cannot be crossed. Maria's message also contains a subtle sub message of being aware of what is going on in our world and being ready to fight for truth.”
— Rebecca Farnbach, Officer, Temecula Valley Historical Society, Temecula, CA
Her message resounded in each soul because it helps us see that we share a moral line that cannot be crossed. Maria's message also contains a subtle sub message of being aware of what is going on in our world and being ready to fight for truth.”
— Rebecca Farnbach, Officer, Temecula Valley Historical Society, Temecula, CA
What is the ideal age/grade level for your author visit?
Age 12/Grade 7 and up, although I have presented to 6th graders, in which case I recommend that they are already familiar with the Holocaust/war stories. The presentation is also suitable for college students.
How is an author visit structured?
I give one or two multi-media slide presentations about the story behind Song of a Blackbird.
I explain how I discovered documents written by my grandparents about the years under Nazi occupation, and how those documents led me to the story of the biggest bank heist in European history.
Usually, multiple classes are combined in the auditorium or library.
A meet and greet with signing usually follows the presentations.
I explain how I discovered documents written by my grandparents about the years under Nazi occupation, and how those documents led me to the story of the biggest bank heist in European history.
Usually, multiple classes are combined in the auditorium or library.
A meet and greet with signing usually follows the presentations.
Which classes are best aligned with your presentation and book?
English/Creative Writing, Social Studies/World History, Art/Graphic Design.
Can workshops be added to the presentation(s)?
We can discuss adding a workshop to talk in-depth about a specific aspect of the book (historical research, the writing process, or design/illustration) for students who have attended the slideshow presentation.
How do we prepare the students for the author visit?
Students and teachers get the most out the event if the students are already familiar with the book.
I recommend purchasing a classroom set of 25 books ahead of time to give teachers and students a chance to read and discuss the book prior to the author event. I will give a discount when a set is purchased ahead of time.
I recommend purchasing a classroom set of 25 books ahead of time to give teachers and students a chance to read and discuss the book prior to the author event. I will give a discount when a set is purchased ahead of time.
Do you sign books on event day?
Yes! I love signing books, and recommend involving a local bookstore in the sale of books before and/or during the event. We can help set that up, and will give a discount if a minimum of 25 books are sold to students/faculty before/during the event.
Are travel expenses included in the honorarium?
No. Travel expenses for author visits outside the San Francisco Bay Area will be billed separately.
One way to keep these down is to convince other schools/organizations in your area to host me within the same week, so travel expenses can be split between the schools. I will provide a discount to all schools in the same area that host me within the same week.
One way to keep these down is to convince other schools/organizations in your area to host me within the same week, so travel expenses can be split between the schools. I will provide a discount to all schools in the same area that host me within the same week.
What if our school/organization has no/low budget for author visits, yet we REALLY want you to visit?
I have a few scholarships available each schoolyear. If you would like to be considered for this, please email maria@vanlieshoutstudio.com and explain why you believe it’s important for me to visit your school/organization, what your available budget is, and why you believe you should qualify for my scholarship program.
Please note that my travel expenses to schools outside the San Francisco Bay Area will still need to be covered. One way to keep these down is to convince other schools/organizations in your area to host me within the same week, so travel expenses can be split (or carried by the school with the highest budget).
Remote/virtual visits are also an option for schools with a limited budget.
Please note that my travel expenses to schools outside the San Francisco Bay Area will still need to be covered. One way to keep these down is to convince other schools/organizations in your area to host me within the same week, so travel expenses can be split (or carried by the school with the highest budget).
Remote/virtual visits are also an option for schools with a limited budget.
How do we get started?
Please email maria@vanlieshoutstudio.com with your information, budget and preferred timing.