These are the books I’ll be featuring in my 2025-26 author visits. Find out more about hosting me!

I’ve done 167 author presentations so far this academic year, and often at the end of a visit a school principal or other administrator will ask me how things went.

I always tell them, honestly, that my perspective is the one that matters the least — what really counts is how the students and staff feel about our time together.

That’s why after each visit my hosts receive a survey so that I can learn more about what worked well and where I might be able to make improvements. I’m not through visiting schools for this academic year, but as the 2024-25 calendar starts to wind down, I’m taking stock this week of the feedback I’ve received so far.

Today, I’m sharing responses to the survey question, “Were there any moments that stood out as particularly memorable?”

I don’t know if this is a moment anyone would want to remember, but we had a little girl get sick during his presentation. As I rushed her out of the library, Chris kept on talking like nothing had happened. I came back and the kids were still mesmerized. Some didn’t even know anything had happened! Very impressive audience management!

The small group session was amazing! Getting our kids to talk about ideas and writing in a relaxed and voluntary setting really helped the feel like they had important things to say.

My team talked about how Chris would answer a question with a question and then explain in child-friendly terms.

The students absolutely LOVED when Chris showed them how he became a writer as a child. They finally saw themselves in the progression of school pictures and how they too could become an author.

Lunch with the students and the author signing line. This is something the kids will remember forever. Chris is so kind and approachable. It was such a treat to watch him interact with students during lunch!

Our students really enjoyed being able to ask Chris questions about his career and what it’s like to be an author.

The kids loved his pictures as a part of his presentation. It was very interactive!

The students were super excited to see Chris and hear him read one of his books.

I think the writing workshop with the small group will be something that these kids and teachers remember for a long time!

Chris’ ability to relate to the students and really get down on their level.

It was great to chat with Chris and get to know him better so I could talk to the students more about him. I also really enjoyed seeing the kids interact with him during and after the presentation. Chris was very polite and friendly with the kids and answered their questions and curiosities!

Please see my Author Visits page for more information about hosting me, including a video of me in action as well as details about grants and other funding tips. I’d love to visit your campus or library soon!

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Next up: responses to the survey question, “What was the most valuable or beneficial aspect of Chris’ presentation?”