Mary Cronk Farrell,
Mary's Awards
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Why invite an author
How to Host a Terrific Author Visit
Why should I have an author visit my school?
“Tying the content of the author/illustrator's work to learning standards allows teachers to work smarter, not harder.
As federal NCLB legislation has turned the educational focus so heavily toward literacy education in schools, it's more helpful than ever to bring authors and illustrators into libraries and classrooms in order to escape the danger of making literacy into a decoding-only experience. Rather than teaching to a high-stakes test, author visits allow educators to ensure that students love to read and engage with written texts on a meaningful personal level. In this way, author visits are the ultimate literacy experience! They are worth the time invested, energy expended, and money budgeted because they add educational value to literacy efforts in the school and community.” Toni Buzzeo, Library Media Specialist
What are specific benefits of an author school visit?
 Generates excitement about reading
Kids are more curious about the design, content, and theme of books when they know they will meet the books’ creator, have a chance to ask questions and engage in dialogue.
Helps kids make a powerful, personal connection to all books when they dig more deeply into how books are created.
When tied to curriculum, helps create a wider context for what students are learning.
Encourages writing; helps strengthen writing skills
Helps kids appreciate the creative process and realize their own work grows from their own creative process
Shows students the creative arts may be a viable career choice and allows them to understand the realities of such a career choice
Supports quality children’s authors and helps them survive in a competitive business
What challenges should I be prepared for?
Successful author and illustrator visits require sound planning, good coordination and cheerleading—and of course, a solid funding plan. Because test scores have become a major focus in response to federal legislation, it is sometimes a challenge to convince a community that author visits play an important role in literacy education.
Money, of course, is always a challenge as well. Creativity is called for! Some schools have the luxury of district funded visits, but most do not. Many parent-teacher groups raise money for cultural programming including author and illustrator visits. Title I funds are sometimes an option where they do not. Community partnerships with other agencies, including the public library and museums, shouldn't be overlooked and can, in turn, potentially attract community grant funding. Private business funding from a bank or other institution is also a possibility. Finally, many schools fund author visits with proceeds from book sales. Books obtained directly through the publisher at a 40% discount are then sold at cover price, which, at the least, can establish seed money for future visits.
Houghton Mifflin Company
Tips for a successful event:
• Publicize the event well in advance, with library displays and classroom activities. Students should have read at least one of the author's/illustrator's books prior to the visit. If possible, let the speaker know prior to the visit which book(s) the students have read. The presentation can often be tailored to center around the book(s).
• Contact local newspapers and radio stations. Alert parents that a celebrity will be visiting.
• Contact Author’s publisher for available promotional materials, like author photos, book jackets, and biographical info. (Materials are provided free of cost.)
• Do all you can to welcome your special guest. If possible, meet him/her at the airport. Assign someone to handle any requests and to accompany the speaker throughout the day (student escorts are great, too!). Show displays you've prepared for the visit and projects the students have done in conjunction with reading the author's/illustrator's books. The speaker will appreciate all the hard work you've done to make the visit a success!
• Be certain that you have arranged for transportation to and from the hotel, the event site, and the airport.
• Consider the size and location of the event! Gymnasiums are a difficult speaking arena because of poor acoustics. Presentations to smaller groups in libraries/media centers are much more effective and personal than all-school assemblies.
• If you wish to videotape the appearance, you must first get official permission from the author/illustrator. If permission is granted, please send a written statement on your organization's letterhead, specifying under what conditions the videotape will be used (future classroom use, primarily); when it will be used (only during the school year); and that it will not be copied or sold at any time without the author's/illustrator's permission.
• Make sure any equipment needed for the presentation (microphone, slide projector, and so on) is set up and working prior to the first presentation. Have a glass of fresh water and a box of tissues handy.
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