Why Author Visits Matter
Author visits enhance literacy and a passion for reading and writing.
Students are inspired to embrace books and stories and become better readers and writers themselves.
Students who participate in author visits are 2x as likely to read above age level (National Literacy Trust, 2019).
Reluctant readers may have their interest sparked.
Student interest in reading, writing and revision are enhanced.
Author visits spark creativity and show children that creativity is important, even for adults.
Authors show how ideas take shape on the pages of their books.
Authors show students the value of creativity and how one may make a career while living a creative life.
Students learn the magic of storytelling from someone whose job it is to tell stories.
Author visits promote cultural awareness, encourage empathy, make students feel seen while building community.
Author visits celebrate the richness of diverse backgrounds and experiences while demonstrating that we all share similar dreams and fears.
Authors and their stories may reflect perspectives that are new for some students and thus will promote understanding and tolerance. For students who share the traditions or experiences depicted by the author’s stories, the visit will be validating.
Author visits support classroom learning, build critical thinking and self-esteem.
Authors model the importance of setting goals, working towards those goals, and not giving up. Students recognize that authors use the same skills they’re learning in class, including the importance of revision.
Students are encouraged to deconstruct the story and think about plot, characters, and themes.
Meeting with published authors builds students’ confidence. Students learn that their ideas and thoughts matter and that they can become storytellers, too.
Author visits make school fun!
An author visit is a special occasion that provides an exciting break from the classroom.
Author visits create an opportunity for a student to be seen differently by their peers and teachers.