Here you are…The Best Author Visit Ideas for your next school/library visit. Some are basic presentation tools (like PowerPoint), some add extra engagement (like a riddle), some bring games to your presentation (quiz anyone?), and then there are the extra value added printables & swag you can bring to your author visits to add a bit of ka-pow action to your author sessions. Read on for the best author visit ideas…
The Best Author Visit Ideas
PRESENTATION EXTRAS
- Pinterest, Google Slides, Projector screens, and Prezi: all presentation software which can be customized.
- Prank, joke, whodunnit.
- Prezi example: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=qcyvrm6BKaM - Fun projector screen prank: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=Z9NQatne0xg
GAMES
- Kahoot.com: leaning games and online quizzes you can use on smart boards. Engaging and fun — used in grade school to high school.
- Build your own Jeopardy game, word search, crossword puzzle using free internet generators. There are a ton on the net.
- Ask questions/get volunteers, brainstorm together. It adds extra interaction.
- Hand-out something related to your books: a boot, a hat, a special box. Something tangible the kids can look and touch.
PRINTABLES
- Create an About The Author pdf (you can make one in Word or PowerPoint). Add in fill in the blank lines like: My name is:….., The title of my book is…., , I wrote this book because.... Send it to the teacher before the visit, he/she/they can print it out, give it to kids, and kids can fill it out during or after your presentation.
- Create a colouring page
- Make a thinking and linking graphic, graphic organizer, graffiti Board. You can make it in real time during your presentation or make one at home and reuse it at each presentation.
- Create a storymap (it helps the reader by tracing out the route being taken as the story unfolds).
- Scavenger Hunt pdf of things in your book or presentation.
SWAG
- Stickers, magnets, buttons (https://www.stickermule.com/
ca is Canadian) - Bookmarks (staples, vista print)
- Bookplates
VIRTUAL VISITS
- Tour of your writing office
- Show before and after (illustrators, writing pages, brainstorm lists)
- Ask the teacher to coordinate at least 3 students asking 3 questions ahead of time (so that Q & A time, at the end will, assuredly have 3 questions).