AUTHOR VISITS
interactive • creative play • lots of laughs
From my 10+ years of teaching and speaking experience, I’ve crafted interactive and engaging storytelling presentations to support your efforts to inspire life-long readers and storytellers.
HOW TO BOOK A VISIT
To make it super easy to schedule visits with me, I work with HOW NOW BOOKING. They are a group of educators who are school visit experts, and they’ll answer any initial questions you might have. If you decide to book, they’ll guide you through the whole process including budgets, scheduling, invoices, book orders, etc.
All you need to do is fill out this form to get started.
If you are someone like me who likes to research first, you’ll find information about programming, testimonials, and more below.
THE PRESENTATIONS
The best way to learn is by doing, so I design every presentation to encourage students to develop their storytelling voices through writing and illustration. From visits with me, you can expect kids to jump out of their seats with ideas, cheer each other on as they share their art, and leave feeling excited to tell their own stories. All of my programs can be adapted for any age and any size of group from small classrooms to large assemblies.
HOW TO MAKE A PICTURE BOOK (K-12)
In this collaborative storytelling presentation, we will use my book HOW TO PEE YOUR PANTS: THE RIGHT WAY as a madlib to write and illustrate our very own picture book together. Kids will leave this visit with a better understanding of how to make a book and proof that they are real storytellers and artists right now. After the visit, I will “publish” the book as a video read aloud and send you a shareable link.
HOW TO CATCH A CHARACTER (K-12)
In this draw-with-me adventure, we will use my book TO CATCH A GHOST as inspiration to catch our very own ghost. Just like an author builds a character, we will use descriptive questions to capture a ghost on the page by drawing them. Then we’ll share our ghosts in a collaborative show-and-tell experience while making up a story together. Kids will leave this visit feeling excited to build characters and make their own stories. After the visit, I will “publish” our ghost story and send you a shareable link.
HOW TO CRAFT A CREATIVE CAREER (9-12+)
In this one-hour session, I share all of the things I wish I had known when I was debating about my future like:
What should I do with my life? Where does my voice fit (and how do I discover it)?
How do I know whether I want to do this as a hobby or as a career?
What would I need to do to become a published author or illustrator?
What is being an author actually like financially, socially, and emotionally?
Students will leave with a greater understanding of themselves, their voices, and practical ways they can craft a creative career without becoming a “starving artist.”
AUTHOR VISIT TESTIMONIALS
programming results
I love to show kids that they are storytellers and artists right now. Below are just two examples of the genius and hilarious ideas kids come up with during our time together. One is from a group of kindergarteners and the other is fifth graders. (You can find more examples on my instagram @rachmakesbooks.)
BOOK PURCHASES
If you would like me to sign books when I visit, I highly recommend purchasing copies at your local independent bookstore. Many bookstores (like Liberty Bay Books, Brick & Mortar Books, and Island Books) will create an online order page that you can send out to parents ahead of the visit.
You probably want to order your books a month in advance if possible. If you are purchasing a book for a classroom or library, ask the bookstore if they offer an educator discount. Individual orders for families and kids are purchased at list price.
If I’m not going to be in person to sign books (like for virtual school visits), you can order signed copies from my local bookstore Liberty Bay Books.
WHAT I’LL NEED
For in person school visits, I’ll need:
A large board, screen, or projector to display the presentation
An HDMI cable to connect with my laptop (I’ll have an adaptor)
A nearby table for my laptop that is accessible during the presentation (for typing up kids’ ideas)
At least five clipboards and pencils as well as five white papers per presentation
A microphone for large groups
For virtual presentations, I’ll need:
A link to the meeting platform hosted by the school
Someone to help monitor student questions
Papers and pencils for each student to draw along
FUNDING
Here are a few creative ways you can fund an author visit:
You could split a full day workshop with a nearby school.
You could donate one of your workshops to a nearby title one school for a discounted rate.
You could raise additional funds.
