School Visits
I love to meet young readers.
For the 2025-2026 school year, I am available for a limited number of in-person (local only: Central/Western New York) or virtual author events. You can find a sampling of programming options below. I can also tailor a program to specifically suit your curriculum needs. If you are interested in having me work with your students, please contact me.
Fifteen minute Q & A (Virtual)
Best for: All ages.
Question and answer session for students and teachers/caregivers using any of my books in the classroom. To make the best use of our time together, students must have read the book(s) beforehand.
The Science Behind the Story (Virtual or In-Person)
Presentation length: 30-45 minutes, depending on age group.
Best for: Grades 2-6 (adaptable).
How Do We Know What Animals Are Saying to Each Other, Anyway?
Drawing from the scientific research behind the book Predator and Prey: A Conversation in Verse and my own experience as an animal behavior scientist, we will explore how scientists use careful observation and experiments to help them understand the language of animals.
How Do We Know What We Know About Sea Otters and Kelp Forests, Anyway?
Healthy ecosystems are all about balance. In this interactive program, we will explore how the balance between predators and prey is maintained in ecosystems, and how scientists began to understand the importance of sea otters to the kelp forest ecosystem in the northern Pacific Ocean.
Pollination as a Partnership
In this interactive program, we will think like scientists as we explore the beautiful diversity of the pollination partnerships between plants and animals.
Let’s Tell A True Story (Virtual or In-Person)
Presentation length: 30-60 minutes, depending on age group.
Best for: Grades 3-6 (adaptable). Classroom-sized groups.
You’ve done your research and gathered your facts. Now what? There are lots of ways to tell a true story. Using examples from my own writing process, I'll share with students examples of how I use play to brainstorm ideas and pull my facts together for a writing project. Then we'll play and practice by writing a new true story based on some fun animal facts. It’s time for some play!
The Poetry of Science (Virtual or In-Person)
Presentation length: 30-60 minutes, depending on age group.
Best for: Grades 3-6 (adaptable). Classroom-sized groups.
Science and poetry go great together! Both depend on close observation of world around us. In this workshop, we will use observation to write riddle poems or mask poems to describe the battle between predator and prey.
Educator Workshops: The Science Behind the Story
Presentation length: 60-120 minutes, depending on needs.
In these programs we'll dive a little bit deeper into how scientists ask and answer questions about animal behavior, ecosystem dynamics, or plant and pollinator relationships. We'll also explore activities that can help students deepen their understanding of these topics by thinking like scientists. All topics address Next Generation Science Standards (e.g. 2-LS2-2, 4-LS1-1).
Preferred Pricing*:
Full Day Visit: typically 3-4 presentations/workshops and an optional small group meeting with students. (May be split between 2 schools if the drive-time between schools is reasonable.)
within 50 miles of Rochester NY: $800
within 100 miles of Rochester, NY: $1000. Travel expenses apply.
over 100 miles from Rochester, NY: $1500. Travel expenses apply.
Half-day visit (available within 50 miles of Rochester, NY): $500
includes 2 assemblies/workshops and an optional small group meeting with students.
Educator Workshop: $200
Available as an add-on to a full day visit or a stand-alone workshop to schools within 50 miles of Rochester, NY.
Travel Expenses:
within 50 miles of Rochester, NY: No additional travel fee.
within 50-100 miles of Rochester, NY: Mileage reimbursement required.
More than 100 miles from Rochester, NY: Mileage reimbursement, meals, hotel (if needed).
*Every school has access to different resources. Please reach out to discuss if you have budget concerns.