Speaking
I love speaking to readers of all ages and can cater presentations, both in person or virtual, to students, educators, librarians, other writers, and anyone who loves a good story. See below for some of the presentations I offer, and click here to download my author visit flyer.
- Presentations are 45-60 minutes including Q&A
- Every presentation is informative, interactive and inspiring
- I can adapt for small or large groups
- I am energized by interacting with kids and happy to do up to four visits a day
To book Meredith Davis for your school, library, or public event, submit a request through How Now Booking or contact her directly.
What if?
Using examples from The Minor Rescue, The Minor Miracle and Her Own Two Feet, I show how two simple words, “what if,” can lead to powerful stories, life-changing empathy, eyes to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, and more! This inspiring presentation will get kids wondering, “What if your today is tomorrow’s story?” Ideal for grades 2-7: 45-60 minutes including 15 minute Q&A
Chance Comes Once
I share my coauthor Rebeka’s story to help kids recognize the moments when they have one chance to change their life (or the life of someone else). We can be “strong like butterflies,” strong like Rebeka, no matter what our story is. I’ll also talk about symbolism, explaining how we chose the butterfly and why. Ideal for grades 2-6: 45-60 minutes including 15 minute Q&A. Can be modified for younger students.
The Power of Kindness
Borrowing from Aesop’s message, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” I share how Rebeka’s smile, that small act of kindness to a stranger, was the catalyst that changed so many lives. I’ll trace many acts of kindness and how they impacted Rebeka, our family, and people in the US and Africa. Kids will be inspired as they realize they are capable of changing lives, too, with something as simple as a smile. This presentation is great for all ages.
Super Stories: An Action-Packed Writing Workshop
Superhero stories are full of drama, excitement and adventure. Using hands-on exercises I’ll help kids get down the bones of their stories as they create heroes and villains, riveting tension, a heart-stopping inciting incident, white-knuckle action, and death-defying turns that lead to a satisfying conclusion. Good for 3rd-7th grades, allow one hour.
Tell Your LIFE Story
A hands-on workshop that helps kids tell their own stories, just like my coauthor, Rebeka Uwitonze, did in Her Own Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl’s Brave Fight to Walk. I’ll use details from our book and the LIFE acronym to help. Participants will learn techniques to help 1) List their memories, then 2) Identify three favorite, 3) Flesh those memories out and finally, 4) Edit to make their stories even stronger. Good for 3rd-7th grades, allow one hour.
Extreme Makeover: A Revision Case Study
Best for high school students or adult writers, I talk about what keeps us from revising, share what some of the greats have to say, and cover seven types of revision. I’ll use my own work as a case study to inspire writers to strive for the very best version of their own stories.
Testimonials:
“I cannot tell you how wonderful your visit was. We heard so many fabulous comments from kids and teachers alike.”
–Cicily Waneck Librarian Callisburg ISD
“The average college student has an attention span of 45 minutes, so I was incredibly impressed with your presentation because the kids were paying attention and keep talking about it!”
–Kristeane Benavides Librarian Thurgood Marshall ES #146
“Meredith spent time with our kindergarten through fifth grade classes and was so fabulous in answering the students’ questions and keeping them engaged that many teachers asked me if she had been a teacher! The students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed her presentation as well as the Q&A time.”
–Lisa Patti, Librarian Geneva School of Boerne