Author Visits

Turning the Page's Author/Illustrator Visits started in 2001 and have become one of the most popular parts of Community Nights with more than 60 authors and illustrators visiting 111 Community Nights to date! Children's authors and illustrators volunteer their time at least once a year, sharing their work with families during Community Nights. Following a presentation for children and their parents, authors speak separately with the adults, sharing insight on a range of topics, from how they develop their ideas to how their books are published. This program helps parents gain ownership over the books they share with their children, better appreciate children's literature and provides an educational opportunity that they can share with their children. Author Visits are often very inspiring and encouraging events for parents. One mother recalls, "Tonight we learned to never give up on your dreams or be too hard on yourself. Try your best, no matter what others say!"

Each partner school hosts two guest authors during the school year. Please click here to see this semester's Author Visit Schedule!  These evenings include:

Family Read-Aloud -- Immediately following the family dinner, visiting authors read one of their stories to children and families.

Parent Workshop -- Authors meet separately with parents to discuss their creative processes, answer questions and sign copies of their books provided by TTP.

Turning the Page presents copies of the authors' books to teachers to share with their classes in the weeks before each visit and gives a signed copy to every family attending the Community Night.

During the 2008-2009 school year, Turning the Page was thrilled to welcome 9 authors to our partner schools: Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts, Kwame Alexander, Sheree Fitch, Corkey DeSimone, Robyn Ringgold and Zaccai Free, Auntie Oye (Vera Oye Yaa-Ana), Eloise Greenfield, and Fred Bowen.

If you are an author or illustrator interested in scheduling a visit to one of Turning the Page's partner schools, please e-mail Program Manager, Erika Widmaier.