KidLit PROS share school visit secrets to move You to the head of class

Part 2 of a two-part School Visit Series

One of the most rewarding parts of a Kid Lit writing career is visiting children in schools and libraries to get them excited about reading.  However, tackling such events can be daunting at first.
​
In this second of a two-part series about author visits, you'll meet educators and children’s authors who share their top tips to help you create THE perfect author event.  From Skype-ing to book signing, these pros have you covered.

In case you missed it, here's Part 1: 
​Follow These 6 Steps to Ace Your Next Kid Lit Author School Visit 

This is an updated version of my school visit series that first ran in 2014

---

lise chase

Author, Illustrator
Facebook

• Customize accessories:

Lise commissioned a tote with screen-printed illustrations on both sides from her Wally and Warren book series. The bag looks professional and has lots of pockets to keep everything she needs at her fingertips when she steps into the classroom. 

• ​Develop kid-friendly toys:

To make her books come alive, Lise found plush toy animals that match characters from The Adventures of Wally and Warren Series.  Her stuffies are huge kid magnets.

Lise Chase: Create customize materials; host coloring contests

• Run grade-wide coloring contests with printables based on your book: 

​Vetted by teachers, Lise selects one lucky student to win a gift basket containing her books and plush character animals.

nancy kunhardt lodge

Artist, Author 
Website 

• Search for author visits on YouTube to watch and learn from established writers, like Kate Dicamillo and Emily Gravett, as they interact with children.
• Engage kids using technology.  Nancy passes around a tablet for kids to add comments or ask questions real-time.  She also posts student letters on social media.

Nancy Kunhardt Lodge: Encourage students to connect after the visit

Kentrell Martin

Author
Website 

• Contact the media specialist or librarian because they are typically the ones that make the visits happen
• Send pre-order forms with book information and prices to the school in advance (at least a week early).  In addition to seeking his books on site, Kentrell donates free books to schools, especially those serving low-income areas.
• Engage kids with interactive activities that reflect your book theme and  characters.  Kentrell's character, Shelly, uses sign language to communicate with her brother, so Kentrell teaches kids to sign.

Kentrell Martin: Teaches sign language like his book characters use

carmela dutra

Photographer, Author, Illustrator
Website

• Meet with teachers to customize your visit program and learn what works best for each class.
• Use activities to encourage creativity, like coloring pages with a partly completed story to encourage students to use their imagination and creativity to complete the story.  Ask children to brainstorm ideas for your next book.
• Take lots of pictures, but first check school policy for photographing children.  And check out tips from professional photographer Carmela for taking great photos of kids in schools HERE

Carmela Dutra: Meet with teachers to customize programs

​Tracey M. Cox

Author, Illustrator
Website

• Be yourself:  Children can see straight through someone being fake.  Be honest and sincere with them and you will both walk away a winner
• Have something to offer:  Be it with presentations or freebies, have something for everyone, like coloring pages, bookmarks, flyers with author pictures and information. Plus, be flexible with your presentation.  It doesn’t always go as planned. So have a back up even for your back up.
• SMILE!

Tracey M. Cox: Be yourself and smile

​Rhonda Paglia

Former teacher, Author/Illustrator
Website

Rhonda Paglia (L): engage kids, staff (R)

Hold a book signing: Meeting a REAL LIVE author is a big deal in the life of a kid!  You have an opportunity to create a  favorite school memory that children will cherish.

Have plenty of books on hand and schedule one-on-one time with your readers to sign and personalize your books. 

Find the Literacy Coach and engage the kids: The most important part of Rhonda's day was the excitement over her books, their characters, and the imaginary world in which the characters lived. She created custom printables and arrived dressed in costume on the school's pajama day.  She brought her characters to life with activities and engaged students as part of the adventure.  The school's literacy coach, Rhonda's contact person, helped Rhonda create the magic.

---

K. Lamb

Author
​Website 

• Take questions. Kids come up with the best questions that can  keep you on your toes!  Use this valuable time to answer their questions and encourage them.
• Be a mentor. Ask students what interests them. What are they reading? Are they working on any writing projects? You can make a difference!
• Use Skype to reach virtual classrooms anywhere. 
  Kristen shows you how to use Skype in the classroom HERE

​

K. Lamb: Offer Skype visits, Q&As to encourage literacy

Jill cofksy

Educator, Professional Voice Actor
Website 

Put your books into the hands of as many classroom teachers, literacy teachers, and/or librarians as you can before your visit.  Get  school staff excited, so they can talk up your visit.  

Have printable teacher resources on your website, or send them to the school. 

If allowed, send book order forms in advance, so you can sign ahead of time and distribute autographed copies  during your visit.  Have additional forms to send home after your visit for others who realized how much they would love a copy of your book, too! 

Consider the age of your audience and plan interactive activities to keep students involved and excited. 

• Choose students to act out parts of your story.
• Hand out paper and pencils and (with the help of your illustrator) give them a step-by-step tutorial on how to draw your main character. 
• ​Teach students that catchy, repetitive phrase from your story they can chant every time it appears in your book as you read it. They’ll keep chanting for weeks! 

Jill Cofsky: Ask teachers to read book aloud before you visit

Rosie Russell

Author/Illustrator, Former Educator
Website 

• Avoid last-minute scrambling that can take a toll on nerves: determine the number of handouts and identify equipment you need ahead of time (table, flip chart, white board, etc.).
• Leave extra sets of material and giveaways for kids who were absent.  Drop off another set, plus your business card, in the teachers’ lounge.
• Wear comfortable clothes, shoes, and take water! 

Rosie Russell: Avoid last-minute scrambling with front-end planning

Rebecca Lyndsey

Author, Artist, Educator
​Website

• Start small and focus on one grade or small group. 
• Practice narrating your book before your visit.  Use different voices to bring your characters to life. Make sure your voice is strong and projects well.  
• As you read aloud, make sure students can see your book and illustrations.  Consider projecting your book onto a big screen as you move to a larger group or assembly.

Rebecca Lyndsey: Start small; project big

---

Lots to consider, but YOU​ CAN DO IT!  Most important: enjoy your time with young readers.  You'll be engaging young minds and getting kids excited about reading.  And you will be amazing!

In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of this author visit series where I share my success tips:
Follow These 6 Steps to Ace Your Next Kid Lit Author School Visit 

Your turn: 
What author visit strategies help you succeed?  Which tips will you add to your writerly tool kit?  As a teacher, parent or librarian, what do YOU want to see in a school visit?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section, so we can all learn and grow together.

---

 Thanks a ton for visiting.  Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the Tribe!
Get updates, special offers AND enjoy
 my free downloadable mini-tale for the young at heart:
Driving Down to Dillon: 
A Tale of Love and New Beginnings.

P.S.  I HATE spam; your email address is confidential and safe.

join cat's tribe of readers

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram