School Visits
Why invite an author to your school?
Meeting an author gets children excited about reading and writing. It’s also a fun and creative way to introduce them to SEL and STEAM subjects.
What are my presentations like?
My presentations range from 20 to 40 minutes and include activities, story time, and a Q & A. I visit both small and large groups, in person and virtually.
Which book is best for your students?
Both are great for k-3rd graders. Both are about feeling different and finding friendship. Here are some additional curriculum tie-ins:
Leo + Lea
what is a math pattern?
How did we get the numbers we use today?
What is the Fibonacci sequence and how can you find it in nature?
Elbert in the Air
Where do story ideas come from?
What does it mean to be a bully or an ally?
How can we use metaphors to connect with people who are different from us?
Rates
My rates depend on the length of my visit and how far I have to travel. (I am located in the San Francisco Bay Area.) I will work with your school to come up with a plan that works for you.
Additional Resources
Free: Read my guest blog on Makin Community about how I use Leo + Lea and math in the classroom.
Free: Listen to my podcast interview on Reach Out and Read on how I wrote about “being oneself” in Elbert in the Air within a fun story.
Free: Teacher Notes for Leo + Lea, including discussion questions and activities.
Free: Teacher Notes for Elbert in the Air, including discussion questions and activities.
Testimonials from Schools
Monica was a fantastic guest for our K-2 students during Literacy Month. She did three assemblies, one for each grade band, and her presentations were lively, interactive, and adjusted for the increasing age. It was really special for the kids to learn about the book and the Fibonacci sequence ahead of time with our librarian, then meet the author and show her what they'd learned. She is welcome back anytime!
—Jenny Pritchett, PTA president, Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 Community School, San Francisco, CA
"Experiences are invaluable. Monica Wesolowska provided West Gate Elementary School students with such an invaluable experience by offering to hold a virtual read aloud of her story "Elbert in the Air," and to share her journey as a writer. Students from Pre-K to first grade were able to foster their love of reading through an interactive read aloud experience, coupled with a mini-lesson on the use of figurative language as a literary device, and a walkthrough of what it means to be an author. Our students left feeling excited, inspired, and empowered. Thank you, Monica!"
—Abbey Peterman, Assistant Principal, West Gate Elementary, Palm Beach County, FL
“Monica's books speak to both students and teachers alike with themes of inclusion and creativity. Her presentations are thoughtful, engaging, and show a deep understanding of childrens' needs and interests. Students are smiling during and after her talk, and will return eager to read more of her amazing books!”
—Kiana Borjian, Librarian, St. Pauls’s Episcopal School, Oakland, CA
“Monica Wesolowska gave herself a challenge. Could she write a book that one of her son’s classmates who loved math but hated storytime would listen to? Creating a book that followed the Fibonacci pattern she did just that. We loved learning about the Fibonacci pattern…and then seeing it in action throughout the story during our World Read Aloud Zoom Day…She also shared that she loves writing fiction because she doesn’t know where the story is going to go which can be both scary and exciting. We are so glad that she’s willing to try something scary because we really enjoy her books.”
—CurlyLibrarian, K-2 Librarian, Punahou School, Honolulu, HI
“I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for participating in World Read Aloud Day and for sharing your captivating story with our young readers. Your words have the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire imagination. By reading your book aloud, you not only entertained us but also sparked important conversations and fostered a love for literature… Your passion for literature is truly contagious, and I look forward to diving into more of your work in the future.”
—Rijuta Dey, PYP Librarian, Horizon Japan International School, Yokohama, Japan