How to Plan an Author Visit to your Classroom

Hosting an author visit is a great way to promote both reading and writing in your classroom. A properly planned and implemented author visit allows students to meet and talk with a favorite author and learn about writing for a real audience.

The possibilities for author visits abound, and some can even be arranged via higher tech options such as Skype and virtual author visits - thus opening your visit up to authors who are not in your local area - or even in the same country!

Advance planning for an author visit is vital to its success. There are many things to consider when deciding on an author. Do your students have a favorite author? Do you know of a local author who would love to talk with your class? Are you at a loss when thinking of the right person, and can use some help deciding?

Author Lisa Ard, children's book author, shared some tips for planning a successful author visit. Lisa is the author of the Dream Seeker series (ages 7-10) and the award-winning Saving Halloween (ages 9-12). Based in Portland, Oregon, Lisa offers free author visits to area schools. She also does virtual visits via Skype.

Read more about how to plan an author visit...


Copyright 2012 +Irene Taylor.

Little Book Adventure: Discover New Places to Read

This month's Little Book Adventure Challenge, Discover New Places to Read, takes reading to a whole new level - literally!

Sure - we've all curled up on a comfy couch or propped ourselves up on pillows in bed to read our favorite books. How many remember reading with a flashlight under the covers late at night when you were supposed to be asleep?

Well, this month, My Little Bookshelf challenges readers to explore and discover new places to read - alone, or with a parent or friend. Be creative - maybe you like to read on your favorite swing, or on your boat, or even in the car on the way to school.

Parents and teachers - challenge your children to think of new and unique places to read and be read to. Make a list, a chart, or just talk about them and try them out.

My Little Bookcase offers a few ideas to get you started:

• Read in a tree
• Have a reading picnic outside
• Read in a makeshift tent

To enter your idea in the challenge, simply visit the Project Page and follow the directions for submitting a photo. This challenge is open to all Australian residents through November 30, but readers around the world can have fun with this project as well.

So, get off that couch, out of that bed, and discover some new and unique places to read!

Copyright 2012 +Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Little Book Adventure: Discover New Places to Read in print or online must be granted by Irene Taylor in writing.