School & Library Visits

Content of school visits

• Authors might talk about the process of creating books, show their first drafts and editing notes, and read aloud from their books. 
• Illustrators might show their sketches and finished art, and demonstrate drawing techniques.
• Performers might be singer-musicians, storytellers of traditional or original tales, puppeteers--and many have a combination of performance skills. 
• Writing workshops could include interactive writing exercises with guidance from the author.
• Illustration workshops could include creating characters or scenes, with the illustrator offering suggestions on facial expressions or perspective.
• Performance workshops might include storytelling with call and response, singalong, learning a song, and improvisation of rap.
• Presentations and workshops are usually followed by Q&A.
• Many CANSCAIP Members also offer presentations via Zoom or other platforms.

Lasting benefits of school visits

• Kids experience the story behind the story—writing, rewriting, researching, expressing creativity, finding ideas, and using their own experiences.
• Kids feel encouraged to create their own stories, artwork, and performance.
• Teachers are inspired with new ideas for teaching creative writing, essay writing, illustrating and storytelling.
• The creator reinforces the value of essential learning tools like planning, research, self-editing, rewriting, practising.
• Meeting an author, illustrator or performer  is a revelation for some kids—that their love of writing stories, making pictures, or performing could become their adult work. 

Getting ready for school visits

• Familiarity with the books is the key to successful school visits. Students get very enthusiastic about school visits when they’ve read the books, and can see the an author's, illustrator's or storyteller's connection to story.
• Teachers can incorporate the upcoming school visit into a teaching unit, such as research, crafts, and preparing questions students would like to ask.
• Arrange for the author, illustrator or performer to bring books, CDs or DVDs to sell. Kids of all ages love getting books and other items autographed.

Payments for school visits

• Like any professional, authors, illustrators and performers charge for their presentations.
• Our Members set their own rates, but in the interests of maintaining a professional level across the country, CANSCAIP suggests $300 (plus GST/HST) as a minimum for presentations up to an hour (based on Canada Council for the Arts guidelines). Some of our Members will charge more. 
• If long-distance travel is required, the additional costs are generally covered by the school.
• Nearby schools and libraries may also be interested in a visit, and sharing travel expenses. And your author or illustrator will appreciate the extra bookings.