Young readers ask the best questions.
It's a privilege to interact with young readers face-to-face
at an author visit or via Skype. I enjoy speaking to students
of all ages, and I offer several different types of programs
for grades K - 5. I am happy to customize my program to fit
the needs of your school or the age of a particular audience.
I live in St. Louis, Missouri, and I will travel. Please contact
me for current rates and availability at sklanskys@att.net.
“Amy’s Cook a Book presentation was a wonderful opportunity for my students to hear about the writing process from an inspiring author. Now my students are eager to cook a book of their own!” -- Nicole Morin, 1st grade teacher, Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
"Amy Sklansky captivates the students (and teachers) with her
real-world experiences about becoming a published author as well as scientific experiments that WOW! Her
Egg-periments and Cooking a Book presentations are both "something to crow about!"
--London DeMare, The Computer School in Webster Groves, Missouri
Click on any of the four program titles listed below in green for detailed descriptions
of my most popular programs. Scroll to the bottom for Virtual Visit info.
It's a privilege to interact with young readers face-to-face
at an author visit or via Skype. I enjoy speaking to students
of all ages, and I offer several different types of programs
for grades K - 5. I am happy to customize my program to fit
the needs of your school or the age of a particular audience.
I live in St. Louis, Missouri, and I will travel. Please contact
me for current rates and availability at sklanskys@att.net.
“Amy’s Cook a Book presentation was a wonderful opportunity for my students to hear about the writing process from an inspiring author. Now my students are eager to cook a book of their own!” -- Nicole Morin, 1st grade teacher, Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
"Amy Sklansky captivates the students (and teachers) with her
real-world experiences about becoming a published author as well as scientific experiments that WOW! Her
Egg-periments and Cooking a Book presentations are both "something to crow about!"
--London DeMare, The Computer School in Webster Groves, Missouri
Click on any of the four program titles listed below in green for detailed descriptions
of my most popular programs. Scroll to the bottom for Virtual Visit info.
Programs for younger students:
Programs for older students:
Photo courtesy of The Webster Kirkwood Times, 2011
|
"I've never met a real published author before, and it was neat to not only hear an author speak to us about her writing, but to actually come in and work with us and teach us some techniques she uses to write poetry. It was really amazing."
- 4th Grader, The John Cooper School |
Photo credit: ©2011 The Principia/Kindra Holmsley
|
Some Author Visit Facts:
- My full-day visit consists of four programs, and my half-day visit is two programs. I do give a slight discount if you book a full-day visit. Lunch can be with staff, a small group of interested students, on my own in the library, etc.
- Most of my in-person author visits are within a 2-hour driving radius of St. Louis, Missouri. If significant travel is required, the fee may also include travel or lodging expenses. If I am already traveling to a location for personal or business travel, I am sometimes able to add a school visit to my schedule, so feel free to inquire.
- I will bring my laptop (and PowerPoint slides) with me. A school or library should provide: a projector or Smartboard / Promethean board, bottle of water, and lunch (for full-day visits).
- Books sales in conjunction with my visit are always encouraged but never required. And I am always happy to autograph my books. For more information about ordering books for school visits, please click here.
Virtual Visits
If we can't meet in person, meeting virtually is the
next best thing. I'm pleased to offer programs via
Zoom or Skype or Google Hangouts, etc.).
"Cooking a Book with Amy was fantastic! Our Skype session was the
perfect way to wrap up our 'Becoming an Author' writing unit. Amy
kept students engaged with her fun, interactive presentation about
the writing process. It was an excellent recap and visual example of
everything we learned throughout the year. I look forward to making
this a yearly tradition in my classroom! "
--Kim Beall, 1st Grade Teacher, Columbia Elementary, Rochester, IN
Scroll down for the scoop:
Left Photo collage: Rebecca Morrison
Bottom photo ©2011 The Principia/Kindra Holmsley
If we can't meet in person, meeting virtually is the
next best thing. I'm pleased to offer programs via
Zoom or Skype or Google Hangouts, etc.).
"Cooking a Book with Amy was fantastic! Our Skype session was the
perfect way to wrap up our 'Becoming an Author' writing unit. Amy
kept students engaged with her fun, interactive presentation about
the writing process. It was an excellent recap and visual example of
everything we learned throughout the year. I look forward to making
this a yearly tradition in my classroom! "
--Kim Beall, 1st Grade Teacher, Columbia Elementary, Rochester, IN
Scroll down for the scoop:
Left Photo collage: Rebecca Morrison
Bottom photo ©2011 The Principia/Kindra Holmsley
Video Visit -- Full session
A Full Skype session begins with about 20 minutes of my sharing
books and speaking about the stages of the writing/book-making
process. I might share items such as rough drafts, sketches,
original art, foreign editions, and more. I'm also open to presenting
on an agreed-upon topic or adapting one of my in-person author
programs (see above on this page) for a virtual visit. My most
popular program is "Cooking a Book." I conclude
with an interactive Q&A session.
Cost: $100
Time: 45 minutes
Video Visit -- Mini-session
I offer one FREE 15-minute, "introducing the author" Skype visit each month
on a first-come, first served basis. During this visit, I will pop into your
classroom, introduce myself, read a bit, and answer questions about the
writing process or any of my books. I typically do multiple mini-skypes on World
Read Aloud Day!
Requirement: Share at least one of my books with students in advance.
Cost: Free
Time: 15 minutes
For more info or to inquire about scheduling a virtual visit, please contact me at sklanskys@att.net.
What People Are Saying About My Virtual Visits
"Both years you talked about each step of the writing process, which I love, and that definitely makes an impact on my students! We are working through the revision stage right now and their eyes got huge when you said you make changes 10-15 times."
—Sarah Brynsaas, 2nd Grade Teacher, John Cline Elementary in Decorah, Iowa
"Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with our kids with your “Inside a Poet’s Mind” program. I loved your ideas and thoughts about poetry as much as they did. I think it really helped to inspire some. They were writing away after you spoke."
—Lori Shaw, 4th grade teacher, Cary Elementary
"Thank you so much for the wonderful Skpe visit! The students went back to class telling their teacher all about it! Great interaction with them and a lot of information learned.” — NaKeisha Chambers, Library Media Specialist, Vallejo Elementary in Dallas, Texas
“What an inspiring Skype session, leaving students excited about writing!”
— Michelle Lambert, 5th Grade Teacher, Star Center School in Geneva, Wisconsin
"Thank you so much for taking the time to Skype with our second graders. They found the experience truly amazing. They asked such thoughtful questions and your answers deepened their understanding of both the writing process and collaboration.”
— Nicole Kamphuis, Reading Specialist, Chegwin Elementary in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
"Your time spent with us was priceless. Many of the students came back to school on Monday and headed straight for the writing corner to create a book. You have inspired my students and I truly appreciate it! "
— Colleen Hoban, The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware
"I really liked her. She wrote about dogs and I like dogs. She was funny. I want to write like her someday."
— Anna, 1st grade, Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware
“I loved being able to give my students the opportunity to meet an author. They really enjoyed asking her questions and learning about what it takes to write a book.” — Carly Corrado, 2nd Grade Teacher, Whitman Elementary in Turnersville, New Jersey
"Amy Sklansky is wonderful! She afforded our kindergarten classes the opportunity to skype with her and it was just great ! Ms. Sklansky took the time to read two of her writings with the children, she answered questions and explained why and how she writes. The children were even treated to a preview of a soon to be released new story. I really do not know who was more excited the children or me! — Rita Murray, Kindergarten Teacher, A.D. Harrington Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"Amy did a great job sharing her ideas with our students. She shared some of her poetry books, was very patient answering all their questions, and really got the children excited to write their own poems."
— Literacy Specialist at Wrightstown Elementary School in Wrightstown, Wisconsin
“ I like how she cooked a book. It showed the process to make a book. It was creative.”
-- First grader at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
"Thank you for meeting with my Kindergarten and 1st grade class yesterday. They really liked being able to ask an author questions and hear you read some of your poems!”
— Amy Mercado, Technology Educator, Unity Charter School in Morristown, New Jersey
"We are starting our poetry unit and many of the students were excited to hear Ms. Sklansky say that her ideas often came from everyday things such as her childhood dog. Ideas are often hard for the children to come up with, and I heard several of my students starting to brainstorm lists of everyday things that they could write a poem about. Thank you for keeping a classroom of 40 4th grade students engaged in your videoconference!"
— Laura Haun, 4th Grade Teacher, Cary Elementary in Cary, North Carolina
"I liked that she read to us. It's not every day that you get to hear an author read the words she actually wrote."
— 5th Grader at Star Center School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
"Thank you for offering a virtual author visit to our schools during Distance Learning Week! This was a great opportunity for our students to meet an author."
— Jefferson Lewis BOCES School Library System, New York
"My students have a much better idea of what it is to be a poet. We will continue to work on our poetry creations. Thanks so much again! I look forward to working with you again another year! " — a 4th/5th grade teacher
"Mrs. Sklansky was engaging and really helped the students get excited about writing not just poetry, but all kinds of writing. . . . She kept the attention of all the students the entire time. She permitted students the opportunity to participate by asking questions throughout the presentation and working their answers into the poems she was presenting. This was a very good program."
— School technology coordinator, 3rd and 4th grades
"As we write poems now in class, many of the students will make comments and show connections to the videoconference from Amy. . . . They loved how she stated one should edit and revise 7 - 10 times. It made them realize that they need to slow down and more can be added to their poems. They also realized it takes time in creating a poem. They also loved how she wrote poems about her interests. I had one student go online and order one of her books. She is now reading it in class every day. She is going to memorize many of Amy's poems for her presentation." — a 2nd Grade Teacher
"Both years you talked about each step of the writing process, which I love, and that definitely makes an impact on my students! We are working through the revision stage right now and their eyes got huge when you said you make changes 10-15 times."
—Sarah Brynsaas, 2nd Grade Teacher, John Cline Elementary in Decorah, Iowa
"Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with our kids with your “Inside a Poet’s Mind” program. I loved your ideas and thoughts about poetry as much as they did. I think it really helped to inspire some. They were writing away after you spoke."
—Lori Shaw, 4th grade teacher, Cary Elementary
"Thank you so much for the wonderful Skpe visit! The students went back to class telling their teacher all about it! Great interaction with them and a lot of information learned.” — NaKeisha Chambers, Library Media Specialist, Vallejo Elementary in Dallas, Texas
“What an inspiring Skype session, leaving students excited about writing!”
— Michelle Lambert, 5th Grade Teacher, Star Center School in Geneva, Wisconsin
"Thank you so much for taking the time to Skype with our second graders. They found the experience truly amazing. They asked such thoughtful questions and your answers deepened their understanding of both the writing process and collaboration.”
— Nicole Kamphuis, Reading Specialist, Chegwin Elementary in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
"Your time spent with us was priceless. Many of the students came back to school on Monday and headed straight for the writing corner to create a book. You have inspired my students and I truly appreciate it! "
— Colleen Hoban, The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware
"I really liked her. She wrote about dogs and I like dogs. She was funny. I want to write like her someday."
— Anna, 1st grade, Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware
“I loved being able to give my students the opportunity to meet an author. They really enjoyed asking her questions and learning about what it takes to write a book.” — Carly Corrado, 2nd Grade Teacher, Whitman Elementary in Turnersville, New Jersey
"Amy Sklansky is wonderful! She afforded our kindergarten classes the opportunity to skype with her and it was just great ! Ms. Sklansky took the time to read two of her writings with the children, she answered questions and explained why and how she writes. The children were even treated to a preview of a soon to be released new story. I really do not know who was more excited the children or me! — Rita Murray, Kindergarten Teacher, A.D. Harrington Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"Amy did a great job sharing her ideas with our students. She shared some of her poetry books, was very patient answering all their questions, and really got the children excited to write their own poems."
— Literacy Specialist at Wrightstown Elementary School in Wrightstown, Wisconsin
“ I like how she cooked a book. It showed the process to make a book. It was creative.”
-- First grader at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
"Thank you for meeting with my Kindergarten and 1st grade class yesterday. They really liked being able to ask an author questions and hear you read some of your poems!”
— Amy Mercado, Technology Educator, Unity Charter School in Morristown, New Jersey
"We are starting our poetry unit and many of the students were excited to hear Ms. Sklansky say that her ideas often came from everyday things such as her childhood dog. Ideas are often hard for the children to come up with, and I heard several of my students starting to brainstorm lists of everyday things that they could write a poem about. Thank you for keeping a classroom of 40 4th grade students engaged in your videoconference!"
— Laura Haun, 4th Grade Teacher, Cary Elementary in Cary, North Carolina
"I liked that she read to us. It's not every day that you get to hear an author read the words she actually wrote."
— 5th Grader at Star Center School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
"Thank you for offering a virtual author visit to our schools during Distance Learning Week! This was a great opportunity for our students to meet an author."
— Jefferson Lewis BOCES School Library System, New York
"My students have a much better idea of what it is to be a poet. We will continue to work on our poetry creations. Thanks so much again! I look forward to working with you again another year! " — a 4th/5th grade teacher
"Mrs. Sklansky was engaging and really helped the students get excited about writing not just poetry, but all kinds of writing. . . . She kept the attention of all the students the entire time. She permitted students the opportunity to participate by asking questions throughout the presentation and working their answers into the poems she was presenting. This was a very good program."
— School technology coordinator, 3rd and 4th grades
"As we write poems now in class, many of the students will make comments and show connections to the videoconference from Amy. . . . They loved how she stated one should edit and revise 7 - 10 times. It made them realize that they need to slow down and more can be added to their poems. They also realized it takes time in creating a poem. They also loved how she wrote poems about her interests. I had one student go online and order one of her books. She is now reading it in class every day. She is going to memorize many of Amy's poems for her presentation." — a 2nd Grade Teacher