School Visits

School visits are a blast for me!

I love talking to kids about books and writing. But be forewarned! My sessions are not “quiet” or “calm!”

During my presentation, the students and I go on a “Story Hunt” which is both fun and educational. I talk about my writing process with a special emphasis on where I get my ideas. I also discuss the many revisions I make before I send a manuscript to an editor. I end the session with a reading from one of my books and a question-and-answer period.

Teachers should be ready for anything. I just might ask them to burp or walk the plank.

I want this to be a fabulous and exciting visit just as much as you do! Below is a list of things that help my visit go smoothly (aka: The Diva Demands). I will be happy to go over this with you. Contact me at: crims@aol.com

Stuff I Need:

  • A bottle of water and lots of COFFEE. Oh, how I love coffee!
  • One table that is large enough to fit a duffle bag.
  • A bright and airy room with enough space for an aisle down the middle. The library is usually perfect.
  • Lunch.
  • An outlet.
  • Microphone
  • A computer
  • A projector
  • A projection screen
  • A white board and markers

My list of Please Dos and Please Don’ts:

  • Please limit the number of children to 200 per group.
  • Please read my books to the kids before I arrive and let them know I’m coming to your school.
  • Please don’t ask me to do extra sessions unless we’ve agreed to it beforehand.
  • Feel free to share the activities for my books that are on the book page of my website.
  • It’s nice to have a teacher or librarian introduces me to each group. (My last name rhymes with “shimmy.”)
  • Feel free to ask children to join me for lunch. I love doing this! Eating with a small group of avid readers in the library makes my visit that much more fun.
  • While I don’t require it, I think a book sale makes the visit more meaningful to the students. Many of my books are now in paperback and are therefore more affordable. I will include more info. about this in the packet I send to you.
  • Please schedule a ten to fifteen minute break for me in between sessions.
  • Please e-mail a schedule to me before the visit.
    Feel free to “share” me with other schools in your area on the same day. I’m happy to do 2 morning sessions at one school and two afternoon sessions at a different school. This can be a great way to cut down on costs.

The SCBWI Illinois website offers some great tips. Click here for more information about having an author come to your school. Another great site is Author Visits by State.

Halloween Book and Boo Fest:

If you’re looking for a dignified, serious Fall presentation for your students, then please, don’t call me. My one-hour, all ages Halloween Book and Boo Fest presentation is anything but serious. There will be green wigs. There will be toilet paper. There will be dancing. This presentation is perfect for Family Reading Nights any time of year.

Here's What Teachers and Kids Have Said About My Presentations:

Dear Ms. Crimi.

Thank you for providing a wonderful experience for my Before and After School Program today at the Mt. Zion Library. The students are looking forward to “brainstorming” some of their own ideas onto paper and creating their own masterpiece. I wish you could have heard the ideas that we talked about on the walk back to the school. You have inspired them to not worry about what everyone thinks, to just be themselves and the rest will come to them. You truly have a gift.
Thanks again for your time!

Lori Rutherford
BASAP Director

PS- I am starting my journal tonight!! My first entry will be about the great time we all had meeting you

To Our New Friend:

Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us. We’ve loved your books and enjoyed laughing with you today. You have inspired us to create many stories of our own! Thank you!

The Pierce Downer Kindergarten Class

I love your book the Louds move in and I’m glad you came to our school and i love your dog i got a book title it’s called Carolyn Crimi and the attack of the giant dust bunny oh the story hunt cap it’s awesome oh yeah the dog’s hat to i like them both and oh do you like the waky title i think it’s awesome I was thinking about it the whole time i was there oh i’ve been in a basement it’s creepy there’s spiders and rats and maybe i could write about that.

yours truly,
Marcus

Dear Ms. Crimi

Thanks for giving us some tips. I am writing a story myself. It’s called “Missing.” I am *so* using some of your tips for my own story and your presentation was amazing and your book are great to.

xoxoxo
Nicole

Dear Carolyn Crimi

Thanks for visiting our school. As a fifth grader I wasn’t very interested in “children’s books” but your books were great! My favorite was Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies. It was very funny.

David