Kathryn StarkeAuthor
A graduate of Longwood College and a native of Richmond, Kathryn taught first and second grades in the Richmond Public Schools.
In 2005, she started Creative Minds Publications to promote educational material that motivates children to read, think, and learn. She participates in children's book nights, book fairs, and school international nights, She presents a variety of literacy workshops for elementary school educators (see list below).
Amy's Travels
By Kathryn Starke
Kathryn Starke (Author), Jennifer Carter (Illustrator), Laura Starke (Illustrator), Charity Wells (Illustrator) Paperback: 32 pages Publisher: Creative Minds Publications (November 1, 2006)
ISBN-13: 978-0976973706 ISBN: 0976973707
or
Discover the seven continents as Amy travels around the world. This social studies trade book teaches the culture, geography, and diversity of our world through the eyes of a child. This children's book uses descriptive text and child friendly illustrations to engage children in a "reading to learn" experience.
What Others are Saying About Amy's Travels
Amy's Travels is a delightful adventure of a little girl who moves with her family every few years to a different continent. This appealing journey enables children to obtain a broad perspective of the world as seen through the eyes of Amy, the central character. By focusing on each of the seven continents, the reader is able to conceptualize both their vast differences and stark similarities. Beautifully written and magnificently illustrated, Amy's Travels is the perfect selection for teachers when developing children's background experiences for Social Studies at any grade level. Dr. Katherine Weisendanger, Professor, Literacy and Culture Program
Written by second grade teacher, Kathryn Starke,
Amy's Travels is a softcover children's picturebook that invites young
readers to accompany Amy along her trip to all seven of Earth's continents.
From the rainforest jungles of Africa to the mountains of South America and
the cultured cities of Europe, Amy's Travels offers a child's eye view of
the delights of encountering new people, places, and cultures. Simple color
drawings on every other page add a unique touch of charm to this storybook,
especially recommended for sharing with children before a family trip. --The
Midwest Book Review
This children's book by second grade teacher Kathryn Starke is a creative
way to tackle some of the requirements of the Standards of Learning (SOLs).
With social studies lessons for kindergarten through fifth grade teachers
following the story, Starke takes her young readers from Antarctica to
Australia while secretly folding in such SOL requirements as relative
locations and varied world perspectives. The simply told narrative is based
on the real-life travels of Starke's former college suitemate Amy Kramer,
whose father worked for the foreign services. The illustrations by Jennifer
Carter, Laura Starke, and first grade teacher Charity Wells are childlike
and endearing. --Style Weekly
For Students:
Amy's Travels
(2 thirty minute programs, $195.00 + travel fees)
Author, Kathryn Starke, shares Amy's Travels with students using the descriptive text and colorful illustrations of this multicultural children's book. Amy's Travels teaches the geography, culture, and diversity of our world through the eyes of a young girl. Since this book is based on the true story of Kathryn's friend Amy, she uses the presentation to explain how true stories make the best books and how our favorite book characters represent real people. Since the book teaches the seven continents, Kathryn uses an interactive approach by having students mark Amy's travels on a map of our world. A book guide is available for teachers. Presales and personalized copies of Amy's Travels are available for students and teachers.
For Teachers:
"Teaching with Trade Books"'
(1 hour, $100.00 + travel fees)
How can a second grade teacher fully explain the concept of matter to a student who reads on a kindergarten level but is expected to pass assessments and read materials at a third grade level? This program gives classroom teachers a variety of popular children's books that can be used in small group and whole group settings to teach a particular objective. Amy's Travels by Kathryn Starke is one of the selected children's books. *Presented at the 2009 Virginia State Reading Conference, Arlington, Virginia
"Motivating Struggling Readers into Independent Readers"
(1 hour presentation + classroom instruction, $150.00 + travel fees)
This program gives educators creative and engaging activities, lessons, and hands-on learning materials that will motivate struggling readers to become independent readers. Having worked in urban schools for seven years, Kathryn Starke shares the ideas she uses everyday with her own students. Following the presentation, she will plan with teachers and give lessons and ideas to meet individual instructional needs that correlate with their curriculum and students' learning styles. If available. Miss Starke will spend time in the classrooms during language arts instruction to model lessons or work in small group settings with struggling readers using her strategies.
Authors Past Events
| Book Reading and Signing-John B. Cary Elementary School, Richmond, Virginia Book Reading and Signing-Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Richmond, Virginia Book Reading and Signing-Children's Museum of Richmond, Virginia Book Reading and Signing- J.G. Hening Elementary School, Richmond, Virginia Book Sale and Signing-Card Smart Store, Richmond, Virginia Precious Memories Dream Readers Book Program, Richmond, Virginia MCV Child Life Development Center Back to School Book Give-A-Way and Signing Richmond, Virginia Book Sale and Signing-First Fridays at Visual Arts Studio, Richmond, Virginia Richmond Area Reading Fall Conference, Richmond, Virginia Book Night-Mary Munford Elementary School, Richmond, Virginia Read Aloud Virginia Fall Exhibition, Richmond, Virginia International Night- J. G. Hening Elementary School, Richmond, Virginia Book Sale and Signing-Second Fridays of the Arts, Petersburg, Virginia Literacy Speech-Kiwanis Club, Northern Neck, Virginia Elementary School Assembly, Millwood School, Chesterfield, Virginia 'Teaching with Trade Books" presentation, Virginia State Reading Association Conference, Arlington, Virginia I Have a Dream Foundation Author-in-Residence, Richmond, Virginia VCU AmeriCorps Trainer, Richmond, Virginia |
Kathryn C. Starke
2325 Crowncrest Drive
Richmond, VA
Phone (804)740-6010
mailto:kathryn.starke@creativemindspublications.com
Website: http://www.creativemindspublications.com/
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