Published with Harper Collins, Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, Harcourt Brace, Crossways, and more...Click the link below to learn more about School Visits with Wimmer Studios
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In addition to working on various commercial projects for many clients, Mike is also an award winning children's book illustrator. Below are examples and summaries of his books, you may view more in the gallery above. _______________________________________________ Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father, a Constitutional Convention delegate, author of the Federalist Papers, and the first secretary of the US Treasury, is brought to life with this vivid and accessible illustrated biography. Alexander Hamilton was an unknown immigrant, an orphan, a boy of no connections but, still, despite all odds, had an important role in transforming the world. As George Washington’s right-hand man, Hamilton helped bring victory to America during the Revolutionary War, wrote most of the Federalist papers, and helped to build a country. Author Frank Keating’s detailed historical facts are complemented by stunning paintings from Mike Wimmer to form a portrait that will fascinate young readers. ABRAHAM by Frank Keating, Paintings by Mke Wimmer Frank Keating takes you on an ultimate tour of Abraham Lincoln’s life from boyhood to presidency in this biography, which includes stunning paintings by award-winning artist Mike Wilmer that bring the sixteenth President of the United States to vivid life. GEORGE by Frank Keating, paintings by Mike Wimmer. With traditionally-styled oil paintings by artist Mike Wimmer, the stunning illustrations lend an epic gravitas to the narrative, as we see Washington as a baby, a young boy studying, a young man working as a surveyor, a soldier, a married man, and of course a general and a statesman ONE GIANT LEAP by Robert Burleigh, paintings by Mike Wimmer My new book "One Giant Leap", is another collaboration with Robert Burliegh, it is to be released in April, 2009. It is the bookend of our first book together, "Flight. The Story of Charles Lindbergh". It is amazing to think that only 42 years separated the two events that these two books remember: Lindberg's first flight across the Atlantic and Armstrong's first step on the moon. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly impossible- something humans had dreamed of doing for centuries: They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon. One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind. THE TRIAL OF STANDING BEAR By Frank Keating, paintings by Mike Wimmer In the Trial of Standing Bear, award-winning author and former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating tells of the anguish and resolve of Ponca Chief Standing Bear and his people as they are forced from their homeland and their subsequent fight to be treated like human beings. Through the historically accurate paintings of Oklahoma artist Mike Wimmer, you will follow Chief Standing Bear, his family, and members of his tribe from their forced removal from the banks of the Niobrara River in northeast Nebraska to Indian Territory, and the ultimate victory that began the long struggle for civil rights for Native Americans. PILGRIMS PROGRESS by John Bunyan, edited by C. J. Lovik, with paintings by Mike Wimmer. Written in the form of a highly imaginative allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress tells the unforgettable story of Christian and the extreme, soul-threatening dangers he encounters on his journey to the Celestial City. But it is much more than an allegory; in a sense, it is both the personal story of Bunyan and the universal story of anyone who undertakes the same eternal pilgrimage. The result is a masterpiece of literature as well as spiritual truth- a book that one time was loved and read in nearly every home in England and North America, a book that has endured as a classic for more than three centuries. STEALING HOME by Robert Burleigh, paintings by Mike Wimmer Few baseball players have inspired more books — for children or adults — than Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 became the first black in the major leagues. Stealing Home, through text and paintings, tells his story in a different way, framed around a brief shining moment in Robinson's storied career. In the opening game of the 1955 World Series (when the Brooklyn Dodgers finally beat the New York Yankees), he boldly stole home; "… and then the wild, dust-cloud-heaving slide and quick foot under the too-late tag." It notes Jesse Jackson's 1972 funeral eulogy: "Jackie danced on the base paths, but it was more than a game." THEODORE by Frank Keating, paintings by Mike Wimmer His name was Theodore, but he is remembered as Teddy. As a young boy, he was a dreamer and a reader and had a curiosity about life he could never satisfy. As the youngest man ever to be president, he led a nation to greatness and he made every day count. Frank Keating's telling of incidents in Roosevelt's rich and varied life reminds readers how one person can make a difference. Mike Wimmer's exuberant paintings make Roosevelt come to life a century after his presidency. WILL ROGERS Will Rogers heeded the call of adventure from the time he was very young. As a boy, he learned to ride and rope as well as anyone, and he dreamed of touching distant skies. As a man, he traveled the four corners of the globe with a grin on his face and a smile in his heart, and he never met a man he didn’t like. In Will Rogers, Frank Keating and Mike Wimmer sensitively capture Will Rogers’ humanity, voice, and spirit. A larger-than-life figure of the twentieth century, Will Rogers lived by his own rules of modesty, plain living, friendship, and family. His life was the American dream. SUMMERTIME Summertime and the livin' is easy, fish are jumping', and the cotton is high... Nothing captures the feelings of summer better than the much-loved song from Porgy and Bess, "Summertime." Its majestic imagery and deep spirituality touch listeners today as they have for generations. Now, with acclaimed illustrator Mike Wimmer's lush oil paintings depicting a family's routine one summer day earlier in this century, an American classic takes on a whole new meaning. Including the score of the song, Summertime is both a gentle book for family sharing and a lavish gift to be treasured. HOME RUN by Robert Burleigh, paintings by Mike Wimmer Babe, the legend. The man who made the game of baseball. George Herman Ruth. But he wasn't always the Babe. One day, long ago, he was a boy playing baseball on a dirt lot. He hit the ball deep and far with his quick, strong swing. But he did not know that his swing would change the game of baseball, forever. Told from the moment of a one at-bat and supplemented with vintage-style baseball cards detailing career highlights, this is the story of George Herman Ruth Jr.; a story of heroism, talent, and the will to be the best. ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE By Patricia MacLachlan, paintings by Mike Wimmer On the day Eli is born, his grandmother holds him up to the window, so that what he hears first is the wind, and what he sees first are all the places to love: the valley, the river falling down over rocks, the hilltop where blueberries grow. Everyone in Eli's family has a favorite place, and Eli will grow up knowing that no matter where the rest of his life takes him, all the places to love are right here, connected to a way of life that has time for affection and simple pleasures. Patricia MacLachlan and Mike Wimmer have crafted a moving homage to the American farm, re-creating all the glory and sweet simplicity of on family's connection to the land. FLIGHT by Robert Burleigh, paintings by Mike Wimmer Flight. Loneliness. Fear. Danger. The courage to dream. Charles Lindbergh didn't know he would ever see Paris when he left Long Island early that morning in May 1927. But he did know that he had to try. He had a dream and he knew he had to make it real. He was just twenty-five years old. Many thought he was foolish, too young to know better. No one before him had ever flown across the Atlantic alone without a stop. Why did this Lindbergh think he could? With no radio or parachute, and only two compasses and the stars to guide him, Lindbergh set off on his journey. The rest is history. In Robert Burleigh's vivid, intimate telling, experience Charles Lindbergh's thirty-three and a half hours across the Atlantic as if you were there. Coupled with Mike Wimmer's bold, dramatic paintings, Flight is an extraordinary story of courage and endurance that will inspire anyone who has ever will inspire anyone who has ever followed a dream. TRAIN SONG by Diane Siebert, paintings by Mike Wimmer Here are all kinds of trains coming and going. A train rolling through the countryside, past forest greens and desert browns. A train rushing past cities, suburbs, and little towns. A train rumbling through a tunnel and gliding, air brakes squealing, into the station where eager passengers wait to board. Diane Siebert's rhyming text captures the very essence of the sound and feel of these mighty machines as they crisscross the land. Mike Wimmer's magnificent paintings are lush, evocative, and full of changing light. |
Mike started visiting schools after one of his neighbors, who had modeled for a book cover, took the book to school and showed his teacher. The teacher at first did not believe that he was on the cover of such a renowned author’s book. She asked how he was picked to be on the cover and he replied that he lives next door to the artist. The teacher asked if the artist would be interested in coming to visit their school and talk about his work as an artist. That was in 1990 and Mike has been traveling all around the United States visiting schools ever since. He has visited small country schools in the Appalachians to the large inner city schools of major metropolitan areas. From elementary schools to major universities, his workshops have been a rewarding and a deeply personal experience for the artist and the audience.
“I think I get more from the visits than the students do. I feel like I have found new friends every time I speak. They begin by welcoming me as Mr. Wimmer and say goodbye to me as Mike. Their questions and letters tell me that I have given them something that will stay with them for a very long time. I’ve been visiting schools long enough now that I am invited to speak to some of them again. When a new group of children comes along it never fails that a child will talk about their big brother’s or sister’s response to my visit years earlier.”
Teachers constantly praise Mike for his ability to connect on the children’s level. “He brings so much enthusiasm and sincere friendliness to his visits that it’s almost like having family come for a short stay,” claims one librarian from the Houston area.
Mike with Bartlesville public schools art teachers after a professional workshop.
Mike’s school programs are appropriate for all ages from kindergarten through the university level. Each is directed to the appropriate age level for time and content. He schedules one school per day and gives two one-hour presentations for third through sixth grades, and two half-hour presentations for kindergarten through second grade. Another option is three one-hour presentations for third through sixth grades, if the school would prefer that he only speak to the older kids. For the schools that want to share Mike’s time and his expenses, he can break up the visits into: three different schools for a one-hour presentation each; or two schools for a one and a half-hour presentation each, with each school sharing the daily expenses equally. When Mike talks to middle school and high school students, he wishes to speak only to those students who are truly interested or who would be greatly influenced by his presentation, such as the writing or art students, and those that may seem like problem students but show a knack or interest in drawing or art. These presentations last for approximately one and a half hours and are more in depth about illustration as a career.
EXAMPLES OF PRESENTATIONS
K-2nd Grade Presentations last 30 minutes and consists of Biography Presentation, Q&A, and drawing demonstrations.
3rd-6th Grade Presentations last 60 minutes and consists of Bio Presentation, discussion of work, project scope, Q&A and drawing demonstrations.
7th-8th Grade Presentations are similar to 3rd-6th with more age-appropriate display.
HIGH SCHOOL Presentations can be delivered to specific groups, such as writers, artists, historians, and other general groups. Biography, personal work, professional projects are also presented and discussions are based on professionalism and growth, independence and self-learning, making major choices in life, and building quality over time.
EQUIPMENT I WILL NEED
Digital Projector (with remote if possible)
Sturdy Easel or 6 ft. Table
Dark room for presentation (room needs to be as dark as possible, slides show up much better)
Microphone for groups of more than 40 (wireless if possible)
GETTING YOUR STUDENTS PREPARED
1. Prepare the students for my visit by introducing my books & my artwork by visiting my website, and download Mike Wimmer School Bio/Book List at the bottom of this page.
2. Discuss the difference between authors & illustrators.
3. Maybe the kids could write or illustrate their own book projects.
4. Use the book/s as a starting point for class projects e.g.. Transportation w/ TRAIN SONG or FLIGHT, or maybe biographies w/ FLIGHT, WILL ROGERS, OR HOMERUN, or maybe they could write a journal that speaks of each family member’s favorite place as in ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE.
5. Download the THEO POSTER and ACTIVITY SHEETS at the bottom of this page from “Theodore”. It’s a great way to introduce my visit and learn about one of our nations greatest Presidents.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can work through your local book supplier, or Mike can provide books for his school visits, if you would like. Each book requires a minimum order of 25. Any books not sold can be returned for a minimum return and handling charge.
Mike is available for school visits and book signings and enjoys reader’s comments and questions. His fees are: $1,500.00 per day for local+travel expenses (Oklahoma) schools, and $1,800.00 per day (all expenses included) for those visits that require Mike to spend the night. Elementary visits consist of 2 1/2 hour and 2 1 hour presentations with book signings in between (see above explanations of presentations). HS visits will work around each school’s needs for timing. Mike is willing to work with combined schools to assist in shared fees.
Payment for school visits are expected at time of presentation.
“I think I get more from the visits than the students do. I feel like I have found new friends every time I speak. They begin by welcoming me as Mr. Wimmer and say goodbye to me as Mike. Their questions and letters tell me that I have given them something that will stay with them for a very long time. I’ve been visiting schools long enough now that I am invited to speak to some of them again. When a new group of children comes along it never fails that a child will talk about their big brother’s or sister’s response to my visit years earlier.”
Teachers constantly praise Mike for his ability to connect on the children’s level. “He brings so much enthusiasm and sincere friendliness to his visits that it’s almost like having family come for a short stay,” claims one librarian from the Houston area.
Mike with Bartlesville public schools art teachers after a professional workshop.
Mike’s school programs are appropriate for all ages from kindergarten through the university level. Each is directed to the appropriate age level for time and content. He schedules one school per day and gives two one-hour presentations for third through sixth grades, and two half-hour presentations for kindergarten through second grade. Another option is three one-hour presentations for third through sixth grades, if the school would prefer that he only speak to the older kids. For the schools that want to share Mike’s time and his expenses, he can break up the visits into: three different schools for a one-hour presentation each; or two schools for a one and a half-hour presentation each, with each school sharing the daily expenses equally. When Mike talks to middle school and high school students, he wishes to speak only to those students who are truly interested or who would be greatly influenced by his presentation, such as the writing or art students, and those that may seem like problem students but show a knack or interest in drawing or art. These presentations last for approximately one and a half hours and are more in depth about illustration as a career.
EXAMPLES OF PRESENTATIONS
K-2nd Grade Presentations last 30 minutes and consists of Biography Presentation, Q&A, and drawing demonstrations.
3rd-6th Grade Presentations last 60 minutes and consists of Bio Presentation, discussion of work, project scope, Q&A and drawing demonstrations.
7th-8th Grade Presentations are similar to 3rd-6th with more age-appropriate display.
HIGH SCHOOL Presentations can be delivered to specific groups, such as writers, artists, historians, and other general groups. Biography, personal work, professional projects are also presented and discussions are based on professionalism and growth, independence and self-learning, making major choices in life, and building quality over time.
EQUIPMENT I WILL NEED
Digital Projector (with remote if possible)
Sturdy Easel or 6 ft. Table
Dark room for presentation (room needs to be as dark as possible, slides show up much better)
Microphone for groups of more than 40 (wireless if possible)
GETTING YOUR STUDENTS PREPARED
1. Prepare the students for my visit by introducing my books & my artwork by visiting my website, and download Mike Wimmer School Bio/Book List at the bottom of this page.
2. Discuss the difference between authors & illustrators.
3. Maybe the kids could write or illustrate their own book projects.
4. Use the book/s as a starting point for class projects e.g.. Transportation w/ TRAIN SONG or FLIGHT, or maybe biographies w/ FLIGHT, WILL ROGERS, OR HOMERUN, or maybe they could write a journal that speaks of each family member’s favorite place as in ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE.
5. Download the THEO POSTER and ACTIVITY SHEETS at the bottom of this page from “Theodore”. It’s a great way to introduce my visit and learn about one of our nations greatest Presidents.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can work through your local book supplier, or Mike can provide books for his school visits, if you would like. Each book requires a minimum order of 25. Any books not sold can be returned for a minimum return and handling charge.
Mike is available for school visits and book signings and enjoys reader’s comments and questions. His fees are: $1,500.00 per day for local+travel expenses (Oklahoma) schools, and $1,800.00 per day (all expenses included) for those visits that require Mike to spend the night. Elementary visits consist of 2 1/2 hour and 2 1 hour presentations with book signings in between (see above explanations of presentations). HS visits will work around each school’s needs for timing. Mike is willing to work with combined schools to assist in shared fees.
Payment for school visits are expected at time of presentation.
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