Do School Author Visits Really Matter?
Author Visits are Cool
“I knew I wanted to be a writer in first grade. A poet came to my first-grade class and read from his work. David McCord, who wrote poetry for the young, and I remember it being the coolest thing to see this guy who had written these poems, to read them, and he could sign them at the end of class. And from that point forward, that’s what I wanted to do.”
– Author Amor Towles
Quote taken from New York Times Interview “Amor Towles Sees Dead People.”
6 Reasons Why School Author Visits Really Matter
They spark a passion for reading and writing.
- Author visits inspire students by connecting them with the creative minds behind their favorite books.
- Meeting real-life authors shows students that their own stories and ideas matter, fostering a lifelong love for literature.
Visits bridge the gap between Imagination and Reality.
- Authors bring the imaginative process to life, demonstrating how thoughts and concepts become real on the pages of their books.
- Students gain a unique glimpse into the magic of storytelling.
Author visits emphasize the importance of literacy skills.
- Students learn the connection between language and storytelling.
- Students are inspired to become better readers, writers, and communicators.
They encourage diversity and inclusivity.
- Authors bring diverse perspectives, exposing students to a wide range of cultures and experiences.
- Author visits promote tolerance, understanding, and empathy, celebrating the richness of different backgrounds.
They expand critical thinking and confidence.
- Students are encouraged to think critically about themes, characters, and plotlines.
- Interactions with published authors boost students’ self-esteem and confidence.
Author visits foster a sense of community.
- Author visits unite the school community, creating a shared experience for students, teachers, and parents.
- Some schools go all out, making learning a collaborative community endeavor.
The Power of an Author Visit
After a recent author visit, the school librarian was approached by a 2nd Grader who brought her a book he had written. He asked if she would add it to her library collection (barcode it and make it available for checkout). The following week, another student brought his own book.
“When I asked the second student what made him write a book (thinking they were doing a classroom project), he looked at me like…Duh… and said, “Mr. Mike” (the author who visited).” – Andrea, Librarian