BEFORE THE BIG DAY:

Michael Elsohn Ross presents to children
at the San Joaquin Reading Association

• Start the buzz! Talk about the event, the author and his/her books to administrators, teachers, students, parents, volunteers, etc.
• Read and discus the author's books with the students. Encourage the staff to read them too!
• Ask your librarian to select and supply teachers and students with books that relate to the subject or themes of the author's books. If necessary, books can be borrowed from the public library or other schools.
• Encourage teachers to integrate the author's books with the curriculum and to work in the class or send home any activity sheets provided by the author on their website.
• Display the author's books at the library or create a display of book covers in the hallway.
• Have students prepare questions for the Author for the day of the visit.
• Organize a contest and have the winning classes receive the workshops on the day of the event and/or having the winning students be the Author's escort for the day.
• Have students make posters, banners or bookmarks related to the themes in the books.
• Organize a student art exhibit in response to the themes or art in the books.
• Coordinate students to interview the author for the school newsletter or newspaper.
• Have students write a review of one or more of the Author’s books.
• Invite parents join their children at the event.
• Select and prepare students to introduce the author in a creative and lively way. Research about the author would be required. Some places where to find more information are the inside flap of books and the web.To learn more about their life and work, visit their websites.
• Borrowing from one of the books, make a theme day at school.
• Publicize the event through the school newsletter.

Ashley Wolff reads MISS BINDERGARTEN
at Family Day in the Park, Stockton, CA

ON THE BIG DAY:

• Supervision:
  Please do not leave the author alone with the audience during the presentations. Teachers and/or principal are responsible for monitoring and controlling student behavior. Also, please do not allow students to crowd the author for autographs after the assembly.
• Breaks:
  Please schedule an ample amount of extra time around the appearance to allow for necessary breaks, such as for lunch and restroom stops. Some time should be allowed to rest the voice.
• Accommodations/Flight:
  If overnight stay is required, please be prepared to cover travel costs. Also, please be sure to keep in mind the timing of the appearance(s) in light of arrival and departure times. If the appearance is scheduled to begin in the morning, the best arrival time is on the day prior to the appearance.
• Payment Due Date:
  Payment on the day of the event is preferred. If this is not possible, due to district restrictions, please notify ConnectingAuthors ahead of time.