School Visits
What people say...
All Saints' lower school students so enjoyed their
recent visit with multi-talented author and illustrator Nicole Rubel.
Her ability to engage the students from PreK through grade 4 with humor
and her incredible artistic talents was a joy to behold for everyone,
young and old. In addition, her power point presentation was very
entertaining and kept their interest, especially when she introduced her
dog, Fang, in his clever seasonal garb. From an academic and artistic
point of view, her use of art of the Masters as part of her presentation
was a creative and effective way to introduce Art History to young
minds. And, of course, when she showed Rotten Ralph in the various
styles of these famous master artists, the audience was howling with
laughter! A very creative, rewarding, and colorful day with Nicole
Rubel!
Pam Nilsson All Saint's School, Phoenix Arizona, February 2010
I think Nicole
Rubel is a phenomenal speaker. She's engaging and promotes active
participation from her audience by asking questions and inviting
children to share for their own life/ school experiences. She share's
not only her work as an artist/ illustrator, but as an equestrian, wife
and writer. Her presentations are geared toward all types of
audiences. She shows photos, shares books on tape and draws before
viewers very own eyes! I'd definitely have her visit again and again
and again! Thanks Nicole! I now own all of your books (both illustrated
and written) and they are all checked out of our classroom library, so
it looks like I'm not the only avid fan.
Sincerely, Cristin Jensen (Sherwood Charter
School, 2nd grade teacher, Oregon March 2010)
Our teachers and students LOVED Nicole's visit. Everyone was excited.
She does a great presentation! It all went off so well. Nicole was
chuckling after the 3rd grade presentation. She said she had never seen
kids so excited trying to tell her the names of the pieces and the
artists. They laughed so at her Ralph renditions. Great fun. A parent
said she loves these author's visits because they inspire some of our
kids to be authors and illustrators. I added that it inspires all our
kids to be lovers of literature, story, illustrative arts, and reading!
~
Gail Caretto, Retired Librarian, Madison Rose Lane Elementary, Phoenix,
AZ, February 2010
Ocotillo Elementary School was buzzing
with excitement when author/illustrator Nicole Rubel visited to work
with students. Her multimedia presentation kept the students’ full
attention. Nicole’s message of PRACTICE to get better at what you
want to do & reading for enjoyment came through loud & clear. What
a pleasure to have her inspire our students. That mischievous cat,
Rotten Ralph, was drawn in what seemed like seconds & now adorns the
library walls.
Cathy Bonnell, Teacher/Librarian,
Ocotillo Elementary School, Phoenix, AZ 2010
The presentation contained a lot of positive
energy. Nicole pulled the students into her world of creativity
as an author and illustrator.
She inspired our students to persevere when obstacles in life
present themselves just as she has over the years.
The students couldn't wait for
me to go out and buy lots of Rotten Ralph books. Shannon Peterka,
Sherwood Charter School, Oregon,
First Grade teacher, March 2010
"We’ve had lots of viewers! All the books on display were
gobbled up. A real winner for us! We thought this was a great
idea and appreciate so much the opportunity to have the exhibit
here."
Nancy Young , Marion County Public
Library System Ocala, FL September 2009
Nicole gives a fun and creative presentation. She is easy to work with and flexible. Nicole connected to students with stories from her own life, and they loved her slide show. The students also especially enjoyed the artwork she created on-the-spot using their ideas! Long live Rotten Ralph! Rachel Schatz, Media Specialist Scholls Heights Elementary May 2009
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Nicole Rubel. Her presentation was fun, engaging, and purposeful. Nicole is energetic, great with kids, and so easy to work with. She also has tons of wonderful books to her credit, a very cool website, and the zany Rotten Ralph TV series. Our students had a great time just learning about her life and her books before she arrived. On the day of the visit, the they were so excited, I felt almost like I was hosting a movie star. What an amazing experience! Brook Young Media Tech Templeton Elementary School May 2009
Nicole's visit was very engaging! In addition to providing an entertaining experience, Nicole connected her own struggles with writing to student experience. She provided ideas for generating ideas, highlighted the writing process and portrayed writing as enjoyable. Several weeks later students were still connecting their own writing to her presentation. Beth Shelby, Principal, Stephenson Elementary School; March 2009
All presentations last about one hour
For DOWNLOADING any of this information, click on the below links. Then, use your browser's PRINT key to make a printout.
Click HERE for Nicole's List of Books
Click HERE for Nicole visits
Click HERE for Materials Required at
site
For PRICING:
Option 1: Contact Nicole Rubel
directly for Oregon Local information.
Option 2: Contact Sharron McElmeel
for outside of Oregon information.
The Rotten Ralph Program
The Rotten Ralph Program can be done for kindergarten all the way through fifth-grade audiences.
I have a lot of fun with this program. The humor and audience participation aspects make it a real crowd pleaser.
Using a Power Point slide presentation, I introduce children to my crazy Ralph-flavored home and studio decor, and I talk about being the quiet kid in the back of the class who never raised her hand. I explain what’s it’s like to be in last place out of four siblings and on top of that have an identical twin who’s better at everything.
I always hope there are young underachievers sitting in the audience who are encouraged by my presentation. I like to tell children how important it is to learn to communicate clearly as speakers and writers, whatever their interests.
I show wacky landmarks that perhaps inspired my sense of humor. This ties in especially well for Florida presentations, as many of my inspirations come from my home state.
And I display paintings of famous artist that have influenced my work. I explain my unique use of black line, bright colors and patterns and go on to make clear what exactly an art style is.
A Rotten Ralph book is read out loud, usually the newest Rotten Ralph book on the block. And then I walk through my audience getting ideas for a new Ralph story. The children give me art direction as I draw their wild and funny ideas on a large sheet of paper using markers.
The program ends with a question and answer session and then a trademark good-bye Rotten Ralph “Meow!”
|
Ham and Pickles First Day of School- Advice for Being YOU Overall theme: sympathy and empathy Curriculum Connections: Making personal connections from self to text, writing ideas, recognizing art style, character education. Audience range: K-6th grade, emphasis is tweaked for the audience's specific grade(s) Core Presentation (description): After children are introduced to my crazy Rotten Ralph-flavored home and studio decor, (via a power-point presentation) we discuss my childhood as a quiet kid in the back of the class who never raised her hand. I explain what it's like to be in last place out of four siblings and on top of that have an identical twin who's better at everything. But even the quiet kid has talents and can achieve dreams. I display paintings of famous artists that have influenced my work. I explain my unique use of black line, bright colors and patterns and go on to make clear what exactly defines an art style. The next segment involve children in an oral reading of Ham and Pickles and together, we'll write a sympathetic letter to Pickles, warning her about her brother's silly advice. In addition, we'll develop written suggestions to help Pickle love her first day at school. The session ends with a drawing demonstration. Children will give "art direction" and I will draw their suggestions on a large piece of paper. The goal is to produce a collaborative drawing, that will be signed, and the school will retain. A question and answer session concludes the program. |
 "Ham and Pickles" from Sundown Lane Elementary in Amarillo, Texas |
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Rachel has theories about a lot of things - how she ended up with humongous beaver teeth, why tourist who visit Miami wear such ugly cloths, and why her father loves her identical twin sister, Rebecca, the most.
Still, there are many things in Rachel's life that even her best theories can't really explain. Why, for instance, does her grandmother insist on feeding her honey cake every Sunday, when everyone knows it tastes disgusting? Why did Rachel end up with the most ancient fifth grade teacher in the school, a woman with amoeba-shaped stains under her arms? And why is Rachel always in trouble, unlike Rebecca?
Nicole serves
up a grasshopper sandwich during her "It's Hot and Cold In Miami,"
presentation.
In humor-filled prose and pictures, Nicole Rubel introduces us to a remarkable off-the-wall family - a father who sells novelty maracas for a living, a mother who is so gorgeous even orangutans fall in love with her, a sister who is perfect genius, and scattered Rachel - struggling to find her unique talent and self-confidence.
The It’s Hot and Cold In Miami Program
Can be tailored for middle grade through adult audiences.
My theme is Metamorphosis!
I introduce the audience to my books.
I shift back and forth between reading provocative selections from the book and Power Point presentation.
I use Power Point to show photos and other visuals that illuminate the real-life story behind the fictionalized version in the book. I use the visuals as talking points to discuss some of my decisions to disguise or not certain aspects of my family life.
I speak about my personal journey from being a non-speaking (true!) twin to finding my voice as an artist and an individual. I didn’t write or show artistic abilities as a young child and was always ranked average or below by my parents and teachers. When I did draw, I was told I wasn’t any good and my older sister was “the terrific artist.” My artistic side exploded when I asked and was allowed to paint a “Peter Max” inspired mural on my bedroom wall in High school. This same mural was my entrance ticket to college since my parents were told my math scores were low. I go on to explain how in my last semester of college, a classroom assignment by an excellent teacher and a trip to New York museums changed my life forever. I was asked to write a journal and photograph what I liked. “Who am I?” was a question most people don’t have to ask. I did and found I had no idea and I didn’t even like my name. For most of my life my name was, “twin.” I sent out birth notices and gave myself the name “Nicole,” from a book I was reading by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My journey has never ended as I continue to grow as an artist and writer and learn to speak for myself.
For More Information Email Nicole.