Reflections on a School Visit

Posted byauthorlaurablogPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’ve been meaning to share this for a week but I’ve been under the weather and had a few deadlines.

I love visiting schools to share ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON with children. It’s fun to watch them respond to the story and then talk about it afterwards. I also share a slide show with a bit about me when I was a child, my inspiration for writing the book, and some of my photography. The photo above is the skylight in the space where I did a recent presentation. In the book, Aliana uses a skylight to create the surprise at the end of the story so it was a magical feeling to read the book beneath one.

I was welcomed by a display case with information about me, ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON, and phases of the moon which is part of the story.

Connecting with children is the thing I miss most about teaching. I knew every day in the classroom I was changing lives and making a difference. It was both an honor and a responsibility. The feedback was immediate and also something I could see over time. They were also changing my life in the process. With writing, the impact on children is still there, but I may not even know about it except when I’m able to visit a school.

Written with gratitude for librarian Jolene Gutierrez, the teachers, and the children of Denver Academy.

Published by authorlaurablog

I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.

8 thoughts on “Reflections on a School Visit”

  1. I had my first author school visit and it was exhilarating! Everyone treats you like a celebrity -and the kids, of my heart! They were drawing me pictures when I got there and wanted to sit next to me. They asked the cutest questions. Afterwards, I was dancing on air! It’s the most satisfying feeling knowing your book’s message has been received by these little people and will, hopefully, help them on their human journey. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Yes! What a wonderful experience it is to share your book and yourself with children. I always had a wonderful relationship with my students and am still in touch with many of them. This is definitely my favorite part of being an author.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to danielledufayet Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.