Appearances

If you are interested in scheduling a visit by me, please email!

I have a storytime program for libraries, and a program for K–3 classrooms that includes a visit by a friendly hen! I look forward to meeting you. Far away? We can visit via Skype. Use the HenCam and Tillie Lays An Egg in your classroom. Here's a teacher's page to give you ideas.

I also do chicken keeping workshops for adults. I have a one-hour program with slides that I have presented at nature centers, feed stores and community centers. I also do programs in my own backyard.

Upcoming Programs

Chicken Keeping Talk
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 11pm at the Chelmsford, MA Agway
Free and open to the public! I'll be speaking about getting started with your backyard flock.

Abbey Kelley Foster Charter School
Wedneday, April 11, 2012
I'll be meeting all of the first graders at this school in Worcester, MA.

Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough, MA
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 2 pm
Storytime during school vacation week! Come and say hello to me and one of my hens.

Chicken Keeping Talk at the Farmers' Museum
Wedneday, May 16, 2012
I'll be in Cooperstown, NY at this living history museum to talk about backyard chicken keeping.

Previous Appearances

Hatching Party for Tillie Lays an Egg
January 11, 2009 at 3 pm at The Concord Bookshop.
Come and meet me and Tillie at this book launch party. Egg nog, champagne and cookies!

Booksigning at the Northeast Poultry Congress
Saturday, January 17 from 10 am to 1 pm.
If you've never been to a poultry show, this is your chance to see one of the best! The Congress takes place in the poultry building at the Big E fairground in Springfield, MA. Proceeds from this signing will go to the APA-ABA Youth Program.

Center Elementary School
January 27 at 11 am. Wilmington, CT.
I'll be reading Tillie Lays an Egg to kindergarten and first grade classes. Sponsored by the UConn COOP.

Reading and Booksigning at Porter Square Books
Tuesday, February 3 at 10 am or 11 am. Cambridge, MA.
I'll be reading Tillie Lays an Egg and then you can meet Tillie! Your choice of the first or second reading time. A couple of classrooms of kindergarteners from a local school will add to the fun energy of this program. Come and join us at Porter Square Books - one of my favorite Indie Bookstores! (They have the best lattes in Cambridge. Come early and get one.)

Acton-Boxborough Rotary Club Talk
February 4 at 12:15 at Scupperjack's on Route 2A .
I'll talk to the Rotarians about the publishing world from the author's perspective.

Westford Farmers Market Winter Program
March 8, 5 - 7:30 pm, at the First Parish Church, Westford, MA.
How to Raise Chickens in Your Backyard and Egg Recipes! A Westford resident, with years of chicken-keeping experience, will talk about getting started with a backyard flock. I'll talk about how to cook with fresh, delicious eggs from your own hens. Go to the market's web site for details.

Wellesley Booksmith
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 2 pm
Tillie and a couple of other hens from Little Pond Farm will be at this terrific bookstore. I'll read Tillie Lays an Egg and sign books - but you know that the real stars of the show will be my chickens!

Carlisle Public Library
March 25, 2009 at 7 pm, in the Hollis Room of the Gleason Library.
Join Tillie and me for PJ story hour. (You don't have to come in pajamas, but if you'd like to wear fuzzy slippers, you can!) Open to ages four and above.

Partners Village Store
Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 10:30 to 12, in Westport, MA.
Come and meet Tillie and me at this delightful store.

Booksigning at the Spring Artisan Craft Fair
Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Union Congregational Church, 218 Main Street, Groton MA.
I make pins and magnets out of discarded books and will be selling them at this country fair. I'll also have a stack of Tillie Lays an Egg books to sign and sell. Groton is a quintessential New England town. One of my favorite plant nurseries is nearby. It's worth a visit.

Reading and Booksigning at Book Ends
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 3 pm at Book Ends, Winchester, MA.
I'll be reading and signing books. Tillie will join me at this great indie store!

Reading and Booksigning at Northshire Book Store
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2 pm
Northshire Book Store is an amazing indie bookstore in the gorgeous town of Manchester Center, Vermont. Make a day trip of it! This event is the day before Easter, so it's the perfect time to enjoy a story about a chicken and her eggs. Tillie likes to travel in the car, and although it's a long drive, we'll both be there.

Groton Public Library
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 10:30 am
Tillie and I will do a reading and booksigning. For ages 3 and up.

Winchester Public Library
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 2 pm
Tillie and I will do a reading and booksigning.

Upton Public Library
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Join Tillie and me for a special story time. We'll be at the Town Hall (route 140 in the town center) so that there's enough room for everybody. Upton's indie bookstore, Kaleidoscope Books, will have Tillie Lays an Egg at the event and at their store for sale. After story time, I look forward to meeting with 4-H members from Upton.

Monadnock Writers Group
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9:45 am
I'll be talking to this active group of writers about food writing.

Reading and Booksigning at the Toadstool Bookshop
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 2 pm
Join me during the town-wide Children and the Arts Festival for a Tillie Lays an Egg reading at this delightful indie bookstore.

The Tobin School
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tillie and I will be meeting several classrooms of children. Tillie Lays an Egg will be available for sale through Porter Square Books (one of my all-time favorite indie booksellers.)

Robbins Library
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 10:30 am. in Arlington, MA
Tillie and I will be in Arlington for the regular story hour. Please join us! There will be books available to purchase. I'm happy to chat with adults after the event - I know that there's a movement afoot in Arlington to allow chickens in backyards. This is a your chance to introduce your neighbors to a real chicken.

Deviled Egg Cookoff
Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:30 pm. in Somerville, MA
Tillie will be a celebrity hen at this deviled egg cookoff/party at PA's Lounge in Somerville, MA. I think that this is the first time that a live chicken has been invited to a bar! We're looking forward to meeting a whole different demographic than the three-year olds that we usually hang with. Besides, I LOVE deviled eggs. I'll be bringing some of my own. Go here and here for more info.

Hampstead, NH Central School
Friday, June 5, 2009 at 9:30 am
Kindergarten class visit. Hopefully, their eggs will have all hatched by the time Tillie and I arrive.

Barnes and Noble
Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:30 am. in Saugus, MA
I'll be reading Tillie Lays an Egg at the regular storytime at the Saugus, MA store. I can't bring a live chicken because of the cafe, but I will have real eggs to show off and some of the props from the book. I hope to see you there!

Chickenstock
Sunday, June 14, 2009, from 9 am to 2 pm in Keene NH
Don't miss this chicken swap and farm crafters sale held in the Agway parking lot 80 Martell Court (google for directions.) It's being organized by a member of the BYC forum. I'll be signing copies of Tillie Lays an Egg and the Farmstead Egg Cookbook, and selling pins and magnets made from vintage books - many with farm animal images!

Sherborn Public Library
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 3 pm
Join Tillie and me for a special story time at the library.

Nantucket Atheneum
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 11:30 am
I'm taking the ferry to Nantucket just so that I can read Tillie Lays an Egg at this library. Join me for a special storytime in this special place.

Palms Rancho Branch Library
Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 4 pm.
I'll be in LA for the SCBWI Conference and have arranged to fly in early to do a special storytime at this LA Public Library. I won't have Tillie with me, but I will have props from Tillie Lays an Egg.

West Coast HenCam Party and Tillie Booksigning
Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 11 am to 1 pm. At Chevalier's Books in LA.
This wonderful indie bookstore has offered to host a West Coast HenCam Party! I can't wait to meet you! Let's make this a summer gathering of West Coast chicken fans! The local farmers market will be in full swing nearby. I'll have cookies for guests. It'll be a wonderful way to spend the morning in LA. Email me i if you're coming so I can plan ahead and bring enough sweets.

Chelmsford Public Library
Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 10 am
Join me and Tillie for story time!

Storytime at The Country Club
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 4 pm
This event is for members only. They're having their first Farmers' Market/Family Lawn event. Tillie and I are looking forward to it! We'll have our own storytime tent.

Storytime at the Framingham Barnes & Noble
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Join me for storytime. I'll be bringing the real, live, Tillie!

Westford Ma. Farmers' Market
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 2 pm to ?
I'll be at the Westford Farmers Market to talk about keeping backyard hens. Stop by!

Springfield, Vermont Public Library
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Join me and Tillie for for this "Discovery Hour" where I'll read Tillie Lays an Egg and talk about all things chicken.

Preschool Program
November 30 at The Childrens Place at Phillips Academy, Andover MA.
The children at this preschool have been learning all about farm animals. Tillie and I will be there to talk about chickens!

Preschool Program
January 27, 2010 at The Bright Horizons Childrens Center, Brickstone Place, Andover MA.
The children at this preschool have been learning all about farm animals. Tillie and I will be there to talk about chickens!

Westford Farmers Market Winter Series: Keeping Chickens
Feb. 21, 2010 at 4 pm in Westford, MA.
I'll be part of a panel of chicken-keeping experts. This program is for beginners and experienced flock owners.

Backyard Chickens at the Boston Museum of Science
March 3, 2010 at 7 pm
Writer Susan Orlean will be talking about her experiences with her flock of hens (and one surprise rooster). I'll be there with the "talent" - several chickens for everyone to meet and greet. This is going to be a fun evening! Reservations required.

Preschool Visit
March 10, 2010 at The Frost School, Westford MA.
I'll be visiting three preschool classrooms with Tillie!

Backyard Chicken Keeping
March 13, 2010 at The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY.
Join me for this winter talk at The Wild Center in the Adirondacks. I'll share what I know about keeping a home flock of hens. I'll also be doing a children's program in which I'll read Tillie Lays an Egg and talk about chickens.

Tillie on MARTHA!
April 2, 2010 on The Martha Stewart Show.
Tillie and I will be driving down to NYC on Monday, March 29. We'll spend the night at a posh boutique hotel in SoHo. Then, on March 30. we'll go to the Martha Stewart studios and tape a segment for The Martha Stewart Show! The show will air on April 2 (check your local listings.)

Tillie Story Time at D2E
April 10, 2010 at 2 pm The D2E Sustainable Living Expo in Boston, MA.
I'll be reading Tillie Lays an Egg and everyone can meet Tillie.

School Visit
April 15, 2010 at The MLK School, and the Amigos School in Cambridge, MA.
I'll be visiting the kindergarten and pre-K classrooms with Tillie courtesy of their wonderful library!

Preschool Visit
May 6, 2010, at The Bright Horizons, Newburyport, MA.
I'll be visiting three preschool classrooms with Tillie!

Bright Horizon's Family Literacy Festival
May 22, 2010 at 11 am at The Bright Horizons in Bedford, MA.
This children's center is having a special day to celebrate reading. It's open to the public. I'll be there at 11 am to read from Tillie Lays an Egg. Tillie will be with me, too. Come and say hello!

School Visit
May 28, 2010 at The Bishop Elementary School, Arlington MA.
I'll be visiting the kindergarten and first grade classrooms with Tillie!

Somerville Library Visit
June 28, 2010 at 11 am at the Central Library in Somerville, MA
I'll be doing a special story time to kick of the library's summer reading program!

Library Visit
June 29, 2010 at The Gay-Kimball Library in Troy, NH at 10 am.
I'll be visiting the library with Tillie for storytime.

Harvard Farmers Market
September 25, 2010 from 9 to 12, I'll be at the information table at the Harvard Farmers Market Backyard Chicken Day. Harvard, MA.

Walpole Public Library
November 10, 2010 at 10:30 am
Join Tillie and me for storytime!

Billerica Library
November 13, 2010 at 10:30 am
Tillie and I will be doing a storytime at the Billerica Library.

Family Trees: A Celebration of Childrens Literature
December 4, 2010
This is the 15th year that the Concord Museum has held this event, and I'm honored that Tillie Lays an Egg has been selected to inspire one of the decorated trees. I'll be at the museum - sitting by my tree - on December 4. However, the display runs from December 3 through January 2 and it's worth visiting even if I'm not there! Go to the museum's web site to find out more about this holiday tradition.

Groveland Library
March 26, 2011 at 10:30 am
Tillie and I will be doing a storytime at the Groveland Library.

Chicken Keeping Talk at the Westford Green Fair
April 2, 2011, 11:30 to 12:15, Westford, MA
I'll be sharing what I know about getting started with backyard chickens during this 45-minute slide show and lecture. The fair runs 10 am to 2 pm.

Central Cooperative Preschool
April 4 and 5, 2011
Storytime with Tillie in Chelmsford, MA!

Chicken Keeping Workshop at the Chelmsford Agway
April 9, 2011, 10 am to noon, Chelmsford, MA
Come at 10 am for a 30 minute talk about getting started with chickens. I'll be at the Agway until noon to answer your questions.

Wayland Library
April 20, 2011 at 1 pm at the Wayland, MA library
Tillie and I will be doing a storytime. Come and join us on this special event for vacation week.

Earth Day programs at Earthplace
April 30, 2011
I'll be on hand at Earthplace for two programs, a storytime with Tillie Lays an Egg, and a Q & A table and workshop on Getting Started Wtih Backyard Chickens.

Peter Noyes Elementary School
May 3, 2011
Tillie and I will be in Sudbury, MA, meeting the kindergarten students!

St. Mary School
May 4, 2011, Shrewsbury, MA.
I'll be meeting the pre-K through third grade classes.

Preschool Programs in Westford
May 23 and 24, 2011, Shrewsbury, MA.
Tillie and I will be visiting the preschool children

Storytime at the Elephant's Trunk Bookshop!
June 29, 2011, Lexington, MA.
Tillie and I will be visiting this childrens' bookshop at 10:30 am. I'll read Tillie Lays an Egg, and then everyone can pet Tillie!

Springboard School
July 22, 2011, Chelmsford, MA.
Tillie and I will be visiting this preschool.

Chicken Keeping Workshop here at Little Pond Farm
Saturday, July 30, from 2 to 4 pm. Carlisle, MA.
You are invited learn about backyard chicken keeping here at Little Pond Farm. I'll go over all of the basics of how to get started with your own flock. We'll cover housing, feeding, and health issues, breed selection and buying poultry, You'll even learn how to pick up a chicken! You'll get to tour my property, see the gardens, the compost, and meet the goats. $20 per person (includes iced tea and cookies) 15 people maximum. Email to sign up and for more details.

Skype Visit
September 21, 2011
I've been in touch with the librarians and students in the Temecula, California elementary school for a few years, and now I'm finally going to meet them via Skype!

Chicken Keeping Workshop here at Little Pond Farm
Saturday, September 24, from 2 to 4 pm. Carlisle, MA.
FULL! Email me to get on the waiting list for the next class.
You are invited learn about backyard chicken keeping here at Little Pond Farm. I'll go over all of the basics of how to get started with your own flock. We'll cover housing, feeding, and health issues, breed selection and buying poultry, You'll even learn how to pick up a chicken! You'll get to tour my property, see the gardens, the compost, and meet the goats. $20 per person (includes iced tea and cookies) 15 people maximum. Email to sign up and for more details.

Getting Your Coop Ready for Winter Workshop at the Chelmsford Agway
October 8, 2011, 11 am, Chelmsford, MA
I'll be talking about how to keep your chickens healthy this winter. I'll discuss housing, feed and water. There will be time for Q & A, too!

Lesley Ellis School Visit
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I'll be bringing Agatha and Betsy to meet the pre-K through 6th grades.

North Grafton Elementary School
Wedneday, January 11, 2012
I'll be spending a half day at the North Grafton School.