As a children’s book author and illustrator, I love visiting school libraries and classrooms to talk with young readers. If you’re an educator, librarian, or literacy advocate, let’s plan a visit—either in person or virtually—to get kids excited about stories, art, reading, and writing.
I know fully well that teachers and librarians work hard to build a culture of reading, which can be challenging when social media and other electronic gizmos compete for a young reader’s attention. An author/illustrator visit can help young readers feel more connected to stories. When a child meets the person behind some of the books in their library, they see that authors and illustrators are real people, not just names on a book spine.
What I Bring to Your School:
Every school visit is a little different, but they usually include a mix of:
- Read-alouds and book talks
I share my picture books and middle grade titles, talk about where stories come from, and connect the books to themes your students are already exploring—history, perseverance, creativity, identity, and more. - Behind-the-scenes of making a book
Kids are fascinated to learn how a book begins as an idea and becomes something they can hold in their hands. I walk them through:- Sketches and rough drafts
- Revisions (and more revisions! And more!)
- The collaboration between the author, illustrator, editor, and art director
- Drawing demonstrations
As an illustrator, I love to demonstrate my drawing techniques and show them how a character comes to life on the page. Together, we might:- Create a work of art from a scribble.
- Talk about how facial expressions and body language tell a story (I have funny pictures)
- Show how even “mistakes” can turn into something creative. I’ve certainly made a lot of those!
- Demonstrate how some illustrators use tools like iPads to create drawings.
Who is my audience?
I tailor my presentations and workshops for:
- Elementary students – Fun, high-energy presentations with lots of visuals, drawing, and interaction.
- Middle grade readers – Deeper conversations, the power of words, and how pictures extend a story.
Types of Presentations
Let’s discuss what best fits your needs, including:
- Whole-school assemblies
- Grade-level sessions
- Smaller workshops in the library or art room
- Virtual visits for schools anywhere
Let’s Plan a Visit
If you’re interested in inviting me to your school or library, I’d love to talk details with you. Please contact me at dontate2 at gmail dot com, or reach out to my booking agent, Carmen Oliver.
Thanks for all you do to put books into the hands of young readers, and to champion stories that reflect and expand their worlds.