Roni Schotter

Award-winning author of 30 books, Roni Schotter communicates her passion for the power and pleasure of words and story. Whether by In-Person or Virtual Visits, Roni speaks to children as “fellow writers,” encouraging them to turn their ideas, events & feelings into their own nonfiction or fiction.

With grades 2-5, she includes writing tips (useful for both fiction & nonfiction writing) from her book, NOTHING EVER HAPPENS ON 90TH STREET (Scholastic), used in many schools to inspire writing. She links in her other grade-appropriate books, showing how she used the writing techniques described in 90TH STREET to write them. With older grades, she can add her chapter book, F IS FOR FREEDOM–about the Underground Railroad and the power of literacy–to discuss the need & pleasure of doing research to tell certain stories. A former editor, she shows the entire writing process—starting with messy notebooks & numerous drafts—her “sloppy copy”–emphasizing the importance & pleasure of rewriting! Her aim is to inspire and empower children—to convince them that anyone who chooses to—can write well. A well-known book of hers, THE BOY WHO LOVED WORDS (Random House), used in a wide span of grades, encourages children to savor, collect, and use newly-discovered words.

With younger grades: k and first grade, (and 2nd grade depending on the time of year), Roni reads to them speaking simply & directly about the magic of books and story, suggesting they ask, “what if?” to trigger their imaginations. She focuses on GO, LITTLE GREEN TRUCK! and ALL ABOUT GRANDMAS. She can also discuss THE HOUSE OF JOYFUL LIVING and MAMA, I’LL GIVE YOU THE WORLD with little ones. If relevant, her National Jewish Book Award-winning title: HANUKKAH! plus their companion books: PASSOVER MAGIC and PURIM PLAY are great for younger children (PURIM PLAY also works for grades 2-5). She tells the youngest of children how she came to imagine each story & encourages them to use their imagination to come up with their own stories and then–-to draw or dictate or write those stories!

Roni prefers, if possible, to speak to children in smaller groups, in a non-assembly fashion—because she does an interactive presentation and wants the children to see her as a fellow writer–just like them–only grown up now, and still writing! (In other words, NOT a distant celebrity on a stage.)

A few of Roni’s books