Read at least one book first
Children arrive with better questions and more interest when they know the story. Even one classroom reading before the visit can change the energy in the room.
Give the author the age range
A kindergarten group and a fifth-grade group need different pacing, questions and explanations. Tell the author the ages, group size and how long students will be seated.
Make room for questions
Kids often want to know how an idea became a book, whether characters are based on real people, how the illustrations were made and what happens when a writer gets stuck. Q&A can be one of the most memorable parts of the event.
Connect the visit to writing
Ask the author to talk about one real part of the process: choosing an idea, revising, working with an illustrator, publishing or hearing from readers. That makes writing feel like something people actually do, not only a school assignment.
Think about books before the event
If families can buy books, decide how orders will work before the visit. If the library owns copies, create a display. If signed books are possible, build signing time into the schedule.
Keep the program active
For younger children, a short reading plus questions and one simple activity often works better than a long talk. The goal is to help children connect the author, the story and their own ideas.
Bring the topic into your group
Laura is available for talks, workshops, faith-based events, women’s retreats, young-adult programs, school and library visits, and author events.
Invite Laura to Speak