School Visits
Inspire a love of reading and writing with a real-life author visit!
An Author Visit . . .
Sparks children’s imaginations and inspires a love for reading and writing. I love connecting with readers and empowering them to tell their own stories and discover their own voices. With my experience as a teacher and author, I am able to inspire, educate, and entertain a wide range of readers and future writers.
I offer in-person and virtual visits to schools, libraries, festivals, and other events!
What Teachers Are Saying . . .
“We were so fortunate to have Sarah and her son Parker visit our school! Their reading was engaging and interactive, captivating both our Kindergarten and 4th-grade students. The duo created a wonderful experience, encouraging students to ask questions and share their own related experiences. It was a fantastic way to bring their book to life and inspire a love of reading in our students.”
— Lynsey Comer, Vice Principal, Violet Elementary School, Pickerington, OH
Reasons I Would Be Great for Your School
I will provide your students with an inspiring and curriculum-friendly experience. I truly enjoy being able to educate and empower students and help them grow.
Educational
A visit from a real-life author encourages a love of reading and writing and helps support literacy initiatives.
Entertaining
I provide interactive read-alouds and presentations, and the humor and silliness in my books resonate well with kids, especially reluctant readers.
Accessible
When you book a school visit, I make books available to families at cost—and I provide a free copy for the school library. That’s less money for me, but greater access for families!
Values-Driven
My books are filled with humor and heart, helping to instill positive values like bravery, creativity, and problem-solving.
Professional
I am a career educator with nearly 30 years of experience. I’ve taught all grade levels, from kindergarten through college, and know how to engage students.
Inspiring
I can bring my Pickles co-author! When students hear from a kid author who co-wrote a published book, it inspires them to use their own voices, follow their own dreams, and tell their own stories.
Empowering
Young readers feel seen, heard, and valued when they see their own experiences reflected in stories.
Affordable
I am passionate about educating and inspiring children and want every school to have the opportunity to provide its students with this kind of experience.
Curriculum-Friendly
I can customize a school visit to fit into any curriculum and tailor the content to suit any grade level. Additionally, I offer a wide range of free, CCSS-aligned, classroom-ready activities.
Presentation Options
My goal is to work with you on aligning my presentation with your goals. I am open to brainstorming with you on times, formats, presentation lengths, and specific topics. For further details or to inquire about my availability or my fees, please contact me.
Interactive Read-Aloud (Pre-K — Grade 3)
Sarah reads Attack of the Monster Pickles!, inviting students to join in with questions, actions, and discussion to explore themes like courage and imagination in a way that’s fun and accessible. Includes a slide presentation with information about the author and the writing process.
Length: 25-30 minutes | Format: Classroom or large group
Young Author’s Workshop (Grades 3-5)
Students become writers for the day (or the week)! They brainstorm ideas, create characters, and plot a story arc. By the end, they’ll have a completed story. This workshop can be presented in a single session or over multiple days, where students plan, draft, revise, and publish their stories.
Length: 45-60 minutes over 1-5 days | Format: Classroom or small group
Teaching with Picture Books (College)
Designed for college students studying early childhood and elementary education, this author talk focuses on children’s literature instruction, with special attention paid to techniques that engage young readers and foster literacy as well as how to incorporate picture books into the curriculum.
Length: 45-60 minutes | Format: Classroom
Customized Presentation (All Grades)
I’m always happy to customize a presentation to meet your specific needs and align with your classroom lesson plans. Let’s chat and see how we can make an author visit work for your students!
Length: 30-60 minutes | Format: Classroom, small group, or large group
Flexible Options for Every School, Library & Budget
Description:
A full-day visit includes 4 to 5 presentations to individual classrooms or 3 assemblies with multiple grade levels.
What’s Included:
- Multiple presentations to multiple classrooms or grade levels over the course of a full school day.
- Activity pages (these are emailed to the school for printing) and bookmarks or stickers for each student
- A classroom activity guide for teachers with free, printable activities and accompanying lesson plans aligned to Common Core State Standards
- One hardcover, signed copy of Attack of the Monster Pickles! donated to the school library
- A customized order form for the school to print and distribute to the students, so any student who’d like a signed copy of the book can order one
- Special school pricing for individual book orders, and even bigger discounts if the school wants to bulk-order books for students (Please note: I need to be aware of bulk orders at least one month in advance of the visit.)
- Lunch with the students, book signings, classroom drop-ins — you name it! Once I’m there, my time is yours to use however it makes sense for your students and classrooms.
Investment:
The cost for a full-day visit starts at $600. Travel fees may apply to visits over 40 miles from my home (Pickerington, OH). For faraway locations, a virtual visit may be a more budget-friendly option.
Contact me to discuss details and schedule a visit!
Description:
A half-day visit includes 2 to 3 presentations for multiple classes per grade level, or 2 school-wide assemblies, with extra time for book signing and meet-and-greets with the author.
What’s Included:
- Multiple presentations to multiple classrooms or grade levels over the course of half a school day.
- Activity pages (these are emailed to the school for printing) and bookmarks or stickers for each student
- A classroom activity guide for teachers with free, printable activities and accompanying lesson plans aligned to Common Core State Standards
- One hardcover, signed copy of Attack of the Monster Pickles! donated to the school library
- A customized order form for the school to print and distribute to the students, so any student who’d like a signed copy of the book can order one
- Special school pricing for individual book orders, and even bigger discounts if the school wants to bulk-order books for students (Please note: I need to be aware of bulk orders at least one month in advance of the visit.)
Investment:
The cost for a half-day visit starts at $300. Travel fees may apply to visits over 40 miles from my home (Pickerington, OH). For faraway locations, a virtual visit may be a more budget-friendly option.
Contact me to discuss details and schedule a visit!
Description:
A single presentation of up to one hour for a single classroom. (See “Special Events” for school-wide assemblies.)
What’s Included:
- A single presentation to a single classroom or small group
- Activity pages (these are emailed to the school for printing) and bookmarks or stickers for each student
- A classroom activity guide with free, printable activities and accompanying lesson plans aligned to Common Core State Standards for teachers
- One hardcover, signed copy of Attack of the Monster Pickles! donated to the school library
- A customized order form for the school to print and distribute to the students, so any student who’d like a signed copy of the book can order one
- Special school pricing for individual book orders
Investment:
The cost for a single presentation (up to 1 hour) starts at $150. Travel fees may apply to visits over 40 miles from my home (Pickerington, OH). For faraway locations, a virtual visit may be a more budget-friendly option.
Contact me to discuss details and schedule a visit!
Description:
A single presentation of up to 1.5 hours for special events, such as literacy nights or school-wide assemblies.
What’s Included:
- A single presentation to a large group, such as a school-wide assembly
- Extra time for book purchasing, book signing, and meet-and-greets
- Bookmarks or stickers for every student (additional swag, such as tote bags or posters, made available for purchase by request)
- One hardcover, signed copy of Attack of the Monster Pickles! donated to the school library
- Special school pricing for individual book orders
Investment:
The cost for a single special event presentation (up to 1.5 hours) starts at $200. Travel fees may apply to visits over 40 miles from my home (Pickerington, OH). For faraway locations, a virtual visit may be a more budget-friendly option.
Contact me to discuss details and schedule a visit!
Description:
Any presentation type or length can be done virtually. This type of presentation works best with a Q&A-style format.
What’s Included:
- Whatever presentation type or length agreed upon by the author and the school
- Activity pages (these are emailed to the school for printing)
- A classroom activity guide for teachers with free, printable activities and accompanying lesson plans aligned to Common Core State Standards
- A customized order form for the school to print and distribute to the students, so any student who’d like a signed copy of the book can order one
- Special school pricing for individual book orders
Investment:
The investment cost depends on the length of the presentations and whether the visit will be a single or multiple-session event. The cost for a virtual visit is generally less than an in-person visit. Please inquire for exact pricing.
Contact me to discuss details and schedule a visit!
Included in Your Author Visit
Bonuses
Every author visit includes a reading-tracker bookmark or sticker for each child, as well as the donation of a signed, hardcover copy of a book to the school library.
I also offer tons of free, downloadable activities, most with accompanying lesson plans aligned to the Common Core State Standards, that teachers can access and use in their classrooms. These are accessible through my Reader Resources Hub. They can also be emailed directly to the school.
I can customize an author visit that utilizes any of these activities.
What Teachers Are Saying . . .
“Sarah and Parker were a big hit at our library’s local Comic Fest! They came prepared for a reading and audience Q&A, and brought coloring pages based on their book for kids in the audience. Both Sarah and Parker were engaged with the audience and community members of all ages, and spoke eloquently about coming up with the idea for their story as well as the writing and publishing process. I would definitely recommend Sarah and Parker for library and school visits—not only are they popular with kids and grown-ups alike, but they are great to work with!”
— Charlotte Houghton, Librarian, Pickerington Public Library
“Sarah and Parker brought the story to life in such a creative and approachable way, sparking laughter, curiosity, and a love for reading in every classroom. Their enthusiasm and connection with the children made this an unforgettable experience. We’re so grateful for the joy and excitement they brought to our program!”
— Director, The Goddard School of Pickerington
FAQs
How do I book an author visit?
Please reach out to me via my contact form or email me directly at sarah@sarahelizabethgraves.com with some proposed dates and your ideas for the visit length and presentation types.
Why do authors charge for school visits?
A visit from an author can be an invaluable experience for students. This, of course, is why we do it! We enjoy sharing our love of reading and making an impact.
However, the harsh reality is that an author visit requires time, effort, and money on the part of the author. This includes all the time and effort that goes into planning an author visit, as well as the time involved in the visit itself. Most authors—myself included!—are committed to delivering high-quality presentations that help teachers meet standards and encourage, inspire, and motivate students to develop a love of reading and writing. Thus, when you hire an author to visit your school, you’re hiring a professional.
Additionally, author visits often incur costs for the author. These can include travel expenses, such as gas for traveling to and from the school, as well as the donation of free books and discounted pricing to make them accessible to families. I always make my books available at cost to keep them as accessible as possible.
How can I find the funds for an author visit?
Schools often have budgets for enrichment activities like author visits. Additionally, author visits can be funded through:
- Parent-Teacher Organisations (PTA/PTO): Most schools have a parent group that helps fund enrichment activities. Author visits are a natural fit, especially when tied to reading month, book fairs, or school-wide literacy goals.
- Grants and literacy funds: Many states and districts offer small grants for reading programs, author visits, or literacy events. The librarian or media specialist often knows what’s available.
- Sponsors: Local businesses or community organisations (e.g., banks, bookstores) can sponsor an author visit. It’s a worhty cause and can provide some advertising for their business.
- Title I and reading-initiative budgets: Title I funds are a federal U.S. program that supports schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families. Schools with Title I funds or a literacy plan can often cover author visits under “enrichment” or “family engagement.”
- Virtual visits as a budget-friendly option: If travel is the issue, a virtual visit costs less and still delivers an interactive experience.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, under certain conditions. I’m passionate about educating and inspiring kids, and an author visit can go a great length toward encouraging a love of reading and writing. I want every school to have the chance to provide its students with this kind of opportunity.
So, if budget is a concern, let’s chat about ways we can make an author visit possible for your students!
How far are you willing to travel?
Standard rates apply to in-person visits within a 40-mile radius of Pickerington, Ohio. However, I’m happy to travel anywhere!
Please note that travel fees will apply to any destination far from my home, including gas or airfare, meals, and an overnight hotel stay, depending on how far away you are.
If this is too steep for your budget, virtual author visits are available.
Can I customize an author visit to fit in with my current lesson plans?
Absolutely! Let me know what you’ve got planned, and we can discuss ways to design an author visit around your lessons. Also, check out my free resources for teachers! Most of them come with done-for-you lesson plans aligned with the Common Core State Standards, making them super easy to incorporate into your classroom plans.
You co-wrote "Attack of the Monster Pickles!" with your son Parker. Will he be coming with you?
Maybe. Parker’s presence can help inspire other kids’ writing and creativity. Plus, they can ask him questions about what it’s like to be a kid author. So please let me know if you’d like Parker to come along!
However, please know that Parker is currently a 10-year-old 5th grader. So he has his own classes to attend. While a few absences from school are OK—especially for such a good cause!—he might not be able to miss school on the day you request.
Can I hire you for my event, conference, or webinar?
Yes! I’d love to talk about reading, writing, or book marketing at your event! Visit this page for more on event speaking.