What Makes a Successful School Visit

If teachers and librarians are able to share my books with students in the weeks before a school visit, the familiarity with my work will greatly enhance the learning experience. Writing and drawing projects related to the themes or subjects of my books are a good idea. Questions can be gathered in advance to ask me when I arrive. Follow-up discussions or activities can be planned to build on what I have discussed during my presentations.

Buying my Books for a School Visit

I am happy to autograph copies of my books at a time that is convenient to you, but I do not personally handle ordering or sales of books. Call my publishers to get information about ordering books for a school visit. Most publishers offer discounts, and accept the return of unsold copies. You should also consider ordering books from a local bookseller. Whichever method you choose, be sure to get your orders rolling at least six to eight weeks before my visit!

My Needs on Presentation Day

I travel with my own slide projector, but I request that you provide me with a screen for viewing. If you have a back-up projector at your school, it doesn’t hurt to have it on hand, just in case of an equipment malfunction.

I usually make my presentations in the school library or media center. A carpeted space where you can adjust the lights in order to show slides is best. A gym or cafeteria will do, if necessary, as long as there are not too many distractions (like noisy lunch preparations going on in the background!) and the room is not too bright.

If you are going to group different grade levels, make sure that they are consecutive–that is, K-1, or 1-2, or 2-3 works best. If you put a kindergarten class with a fourth grade class, neither group will get the maximum benefit from my presentation.

The best audience for a picture book author is kids in grades K-4. They will get the most out of my presentations. I will speak to 5th and 6th graders, if you wish, but for the most part these kids will have outgrown picture books. When I do speak to older children, my approach is based much more around the technical and craft-oriented aspects of writing and illustrating.