I want to visit you!

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One of my favorite parts of becoming a children’s book author/illustrator is visiting schools and meeting my readers. My presentations are lively and interactive.  Even the quietest students have fun chiming in with their ideas. My goal is to get students excited about reading and empower them to start writing and drawing their own stories!

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Sometimes, I present to students in the quiet comfort of a school library or classroom. Other times, in a more wide open space like an auditorium, cafeteria, or gymnasium. Wherever I present, there’s nothing that I enjoy more than engaging students through an author visit.

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What to expect from my program

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• I approach the content of my presentation as both an illustrator and author. 

• I explain my journey from a fine artist to children’s book creator.

• How I came up with the ideas for my stories and my writing process.

• I explain the process of creating my characters, including a short lesson in illustration. 

• We examine of all steps involved in creating a children’s book—from ideas to the finished product.

• We have fun with rhyming.

• Of course, we read my books.

• A digital drawing demonstration -  the kids can see me draw a couple of pages in my books.

• For older classrooms, a brief discussion about self-publishing.

• The program is very interactive and there is plenty of time for questions!

• I have coloring pages and a writing/illustrating project for the kids to complete.

 

Age Group and Class Size

 

My presentations are best suited for children in kindergarten through 4th grade. 

I prefer smaller groups (30-50 kids), because the students tend to get more out of my presentations that way. I enjoy presenting in smaller spaces (like a library or classroom), with the children sitting on the floor close together.

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 Length and Cost

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The length of my presentation is around 30 to 45 minutes. 

I have an order form that I will email to you a month before the visit. This is a chance for students to order their very own signed copy of my books. As long as I am able to get 15 orders or more, this program is FREE! If sending home the order forms is not an option for your school, I charge $100 presentation fee.

 

Tips to make the most of my visit

 

• Prepare the students: when you are sending home the order form tell them a little bit about me and my books. Get then excited for the visit. 

• Promote the book sales. This gives the students the chance to own a signed book by a real-life author/illustrator that they actually meet in their school.

• Encourage the students to take part in the take home activities. Students love coming up with ideas for my next book through this writing and drawing project! They get excited to have the chance to share their ideas with me.

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Reading and writing can be fun and exciting – the only limit is your imagination.

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What people say...

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"We loved having Mrs. Accurso visit our first grade students at Parkway. Our students were enthralled as she took them on a journey through the writing and illustrative process. They were fascinated with how Mrs. Accurso developed each page of the book. Her warm personality made it easy for students to connect with her. I highly recommend her as a guest author!"  

~ Melissa Jost

Parkway Elementary School PTO President ~ Mount Laurel, New Jersey

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"I was excited to hear that Mrs. Accurso was coming to my school. I have both books and I think it's awesome that she is the illustrator and author. She makes me want to write a children's book some day."

- Makenzie Minkowitz

Student at St. Catharines Elementary School - Spring Lake, New Jersey

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