Linda Ayers - School Author Visits

Are you interested in scheduling a school author visit? Read what librarians and parents are saying about Linda's visits. Look at photos from previous visits or see what kids have to say.

Kids love watching Linda spin yarn on her spinning wheel as she "spins a yarn", telling stories from her books. Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, Linda will visit just one school per day, giving your school the full benefit of an author visit. Exceptions are the Too Good To Miss offer for schools scheduling the half-day 4th grade writing workshop.

School Author Visits
$500 - 4 to 5 programs

(Additional travel expenses may apply, depending on the location of the school. See map.)

Mix and match programs to fit your schedule; only one school per day. Each school will receive 4 hardcover books for the library, at no additional cost. In addition, Linda will give away a paperback book to one student at each program.

Author visits require time set aside for the sale of books and reading and writing related materials. Linda prefers to meet students as she autographs books. Order forms will be provided; presales are encouraged.

Choose 4 - 5 of the following programs.

Grades PK-K (30 minute program)
A special program just for younger students. Includes a demonstration on a spinning wheel as well as a special interactive storytime.

Grades 1-2 (30 - 45 min. program)
This program includes a demonstration on a spinning wheel as Linda "spins a yarn" and tells stories from her books. Linda will share books written by young students and encourage children to write their own stories.

Grades 3-6 (45 min. - 1 hour program)
This program emphasizes the writing process. Using a document camera, Linda will show students her rough drafts and original illustrations from her books, discussing the writing process in more detail. As with the other programs, Linda will demonstrate spinning on her spinning wheel and tell a story from one of her books.

Press Conference for Young Writers: Grades 4-6 (30 minutes) Up to 50 students
This informal question and answer session is for students interested in developing their writing skills, possibly preparing a story or poem for publication.

In addition to Linda's books, students will be able to purchase book and writing related items for as little as 50¢. Student order forms and preview copies of the books will be provided before the visit to make it easy to promote the event. There's even a free Meet the Author DVD to introduce students to Linda and her books.

Writing Workshop for 4th Graders

Get them excited about writing! Are you a Texas principal or teacher looking for ways to encourage 4th graders to write before the TAKS writing test? Read about this special motivational writing program. Homeschoolers will also find this program appropriate for multi-age groups.

Here's where Linda will be within the next few months. Locations other than Northeast Texas are generally scheduled so she can visit several schools in an area during a week.

August 2006:
Aug. 26: SCBWI, Arlington, TX
Aug. 29- Sept. 1: Encyclo-Media Conference, Oklahoma City, OK

September 2006:
Sept. 3: East Texas Rural Arts Council; spinning demonstration. First Monday, Canton, TX
Sept. 12: William B. Travis Elementary; Marshall, TX
Sept. 18: Region 8 ESC Library Expo; Mt. Pleasant, TX
Sept. 22: Plano Library Expo; Plano, TX

October 2006:
October 6-7: SCBWI Annual Conference; Arlington, TX
October 10: La Vega Elementary, Bellmead, TX
October 13: Kenneth Davis Elementary, Mansfield, TX
October 17: Bells Elementary, Bells, TX
October 21: Edom Festival of the Arts, Children's Booth. Edom, TX
October 23: Kline Whitis Elementary; Lampasas, TX
October 27-29: Austin Book Festival; Austin, TX

November 2006:
November 4: Sam Houston State University Children's Literature Festival; Huntsville, TX
November 16: Carnegie Elementary, Tulsa, OK
November 20: Region 12 ESC Library Jubilee; Waco, TX

To schedule a visit, or for more information, e-mail AuthorVisit@LindaAyers.com or call toll-free:
1-866-679-READ.

Librarians

"Linda Ayers is not only a fine author, but her presentation is wonderful as well. She knows children, their interests, and how to keep their attention. We can't wait for her to write another book and come back!"

- Sandy Harris, librarian

East Elementary, Anadarko, OK

"Thank you so much for coming to visit our school. The kids will be talking about you for months. I even have a book to send to you that one of the students made for you. You did a wonderful job with the children encouraging them to read and write on their own."

-Tyra Haight, librarian

J.W. Sam Elementary, Catoosa, OK

Parents

"Immediately following Linda's presentation both of the children spent hours writing, editing and revising a book. This is amazing since previously, neither were interested in editing or revising because it was too much trouble. I believe that your influence has helped them to write more effectively in school but more importantly, to write for personal pleasure. Thank you so much for taking the time to put together such wonderfully written stories presented in a delightful way."

-Tracey Slaby
Carrollton, TX

Ms. Ayers,
I am writing for my daughter. You visited her school in Lone Oak, TX, a little while back and she bought your book. She has had a difficult time learning to read, but she has done so well this year that we bought her your book. SHE LOVES IT! This is her first "chapter" book that she really likes and cannot wait until the second one comes out. We visited your website to see when it will be available.

Thank you for your work writing quality children's books that are interesting and encourage reading.

-a Lone Oak, TX parent

Teachers

"This was - from my perspective - the best author yet. It's probably because she had been a librarian and could tune the students into writing (and also the merits of reading)."

- Barbara Cowart, English/Writing Teacher, Tioga ISD, Tioga, TX

"I wanted to thank you once again for the incredible presentations you did for us last week. The students and staff were so impressed by you that they are still raving about you!"
- Ingrid Ahrens, Literacy Resource Specialist (EC-5th grade), Mark Twain Elementary, Tulsa, OK

Updated 4/29/2006