I balance as many author visits as my calendar will allow each year because,  
1)  I love visiting schools, and,
2)  I believe author visits are a fantastic way to inspire students, support  literacy, and strengthen student reading and writing skills.

It's really fantastic that authors and illustrators today get out into schools and share their love of books, writing and creating - face to face - with kids.  I never had an opportunity to meet an author in person when I was young.  However, I met my first author when I was a teacher; it was from that visit that I began writing for children.

As a former educator, I know it can be a real challenge to encourage students to write and read when they struggle with reading and writing. I struggled with writing myself when I was in grade school. (I have the original writing samples to prove it!)  I bring these samples with me when I visit schools, and they often prove very inspiring to students.

Feel free to request an Author Visit Kit, as described below, and read on for a description about my school programs...                           
                                                  

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