SCHOOL VISITS

Ann signing books in Arkansas

My purpose in visiting schools is to foster the love of reading and writing to children K-6 (the ages my books span).  I speak about how my adventures inspire my books -- scuba diving around the world, traveling to Antarctica and the North Pole, and swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands.

Stone Soup and Too Much Noise are among my many pictures books that I talk about when I explain the creative process.

I emphasize that writers never have to leave their towns to get ideas for books, that creativity is in all of us, in our feelings, imaginations and experiences. To inspire stories about people, I talk about my biographies of Harriet Tubman (Wanted Dead or Alive:  The True Story of Harriet Tubman), Eugenie Clark (Shark Lady), Revolutionary heroine Deborah Sampson (The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson) and Indian Chiefs (The Defenders).

In relating my love of history, I tell the children how they might have lived a long time ago, as depicted in my books: If You Sailed on the Mayflower, If You Lived in Colonial Times, etc.

I show slides of the underwater coral world plus the North Pole, Antarctica and my other travel adventures, and I emphasize ecological concerns.

I receive a ton of mail from teachers and students after my visits.  The teachers thank me for fostering a love of reading and writing, and for stressing the importance of re-writing.

Write or e-mail me at ann@annmcgovern.com.if you are interested in a school visit. I've visited schools in almost every state in the U.S. as well as in Europe (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Portugal, Mexico and North Africa (Morocco).  My next overseas school visit tour will be to South Africa.
 
 

Again thank you - for enchanting, this time, the older boys and girls. I don't often see our 5th and 6th graders sit quietly for that long a time or respond with such interest and curiosity. Your approach has been just right for that age group.

From Goddard Space Flight Center:

 Let me say again how much we enjoyed having you at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The feedback I have received from students here and at the Lewis Research Center is testimony to the fact that you provided your audience with a memorable experience. Your warmth, charm, and spirit of adventure was projected into the lives of your audience in far-away Cleveland, almost as if you were there in person.

From the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns:

 The conference exceeded all expectations. The participants -- students, parents, and teachers -- have used only superlatives to praise and describe the conference experience. Thank you sincerely for giving us so generously of your talent and your time and for bringing to the conference an enthusiasm matching your own. Your love for and commitment to writing, your genuine respect for young people, and your faith in their future were obvious to us all. We will always be grateful for what you have done for our young people.

From the Education Department at the Diocese of Rockville Center:

 Thank you very much for all you did to make our Young Authors' Festival such a resounding success. Many praise-filled comments have come our way from parents, teachers, and especially the youngsters. Not only did you have an excellent message, you brought a warmth, interest, and graciousness to the occasion which all those present will remember for a long time.

From a Teacher in Marshalltown, Iowa:

 Thanks a million for all the joy and happiness you brought to Marshalltown. The boys and girls will be talking and keeping stories alive through reading for months.

From Taylor Elementary, Palisade Colorado:

 Ann McGovern was exceptional in her ability to relate with kids and to share her writing experiences with all persons she met. She was magnetic in her appeal; student response was enthusiastic.

From The Irving Independent School District, Irving, Texas:

 We think it's a very rare gift for a person to be able to write for young people, as well as to talk to them about their craft of writing. You certainly do have these skills and for this we are most grateful.
 
 

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