👉 Please see my Virtual Visits page as well!
Are you looking to inspire, empower, and motivate
young writers? Let's connect!
There's nothing quite like meeting a "real, live author" and realizing that he or she is a real, live person who grocery shops, drives kids to soccer—and uses some of the same writing techniques and strategies that students do. How empowering! It's a treat and a privilege to connect with young readers at schools, libraries, and beyond, and I pour my heart into each visit.
Below you'll find general descriptions of my Common Core-aligned programs, which I am happy to tailor to your needs or specific projects. Scroll down to find testimonials, too.
I live in Central Massachusetts and will travel again once it's safe to do so. Please contact me for specifics about availability and fees. I appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you!
Parent/Caregiver Presentation:
Literacy for Life: Ideas and Resources for Raising Readers and Writers
What are people saying about April's visits?
“You are a magnificent presenter, and we all appreciate the effort you put into this one day with us. So many teachers have told me that your presentations were excellent, engaging, wonderful, terrific, and many more superior words." - Library teacher, Glen Rock, NJ
"The teachers and kids are already raving about you. Perfect mix of humor and information they said. We want you back every year!"
- PTO Enrichment Coordinator, Hingham, MA
“You are such a wonderful presenter: you keep the children’s attention with great slides and insights, you talk exactly at their level, you show your process in a thoughtful way. I learned a lot myself!” - School librarian, Arlington, MA
“Hearing the information and common language you use with the children makes it so easy to connect with our curriculum. Your lesson will become a reference when talking about ideas, research, juicy words, synonyms, etc. Thank you again for taking the time and sharing this very important information.” - Grade 1 teacher, Shrewsbury, MA
“Your presentation was fabulous today! You connected so well with the children, and the content around writing was exactly matched to our curriculum. I was so glad I could hear your entire presentation because I learned so much myself.”
- Elementary school principal, Shrewsbury, MA
“Our staff and students were thrilled to have you at our school. It was great to see the students engaged and listening so intently to your discussion and watching each slide change. They talked about it all the way to their buses. The first grade students were talking about juicy words and details while the third and fourth grade students... were talking about the process. Thank you again for an amazing and enriching day!” – Literacy coach, Taunton, MA
“Thank you so very much for today. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time and effort you took to go above and beyond. It was such a wonderful day for the students and the teachers. I think every teacher in the school stopped to tell me how great you were throughout the day.” - PTO Vice President, Winchester, MA
“Thank you! You are an engaging presenter who is as talented in speaking as you are in writing... The kids loved your presentation, and it was such a joyful start to this project. I am lucky to have made a connection with you that I hope will continue for years to come.”
- Grade 6 teacher, Duxbury, MA
“Thank you so much for creating your presentation for us. It was spectacular.... I also really liked the passion you put inside you."
- Gigi, fourth grader
“Thank you very much for coming to my classroom, you taught me a lot while you were here. I already miss you!”
- Ava, second grader
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I also offer a limited number of free, 20-minute book talk/Q&A Zoom or Google Meet sessions each month. Check out my Virtual Visits page, and click here to read coverage of one of my World Read Aloud Day visits with super students in Indiana!