SCHOOL & LIBRARY VISITS
I learned how to read by playing Pokémon. And it was my fascination with its complex world and strategies that opened the door to my love of books and, eventually, my dream of writing.
Visiting schools is one of my favorite and most rewarding aspects of my job, and since the release of Wilderlore in 2021, I have partnered with countless educators and organizations and spoken with thousands of students. My goal isn’t merely to get students interested in reading; it’s to get them excited. Not only is reading a vital skill, but books provide an invaluable means for kids to learn, to empathize with the emotions of others, and to explore the nuances of our world and of growing up. By engaging with students as a fellow enthusiast and by validating their own interests and passions, I offer even reluctant readers an invitation to an entire new world of possibility—and, perhaps, adventure.
Types of visits
Virtual presentation
Presentation-only (i.e. an assembly-style visit)
Half-day
Full-day
What is included
All school visits include
A presentation with a creative activity, appropriate for grades 2-6, which is suitable for either classrooms or assemblies
A student Q&A
Signed book orders, whether signed in person or mailed in partnership with the bookstore
Optional activities can also include
In depth Q&A
Creative writing workshops for classrooms or small groups of students
If you are interested in learning more or setting up a school visit with Amanda, you can contact her here. Amanda will respond to you as soon as possible.
TESTIMONIALS
“My students can't stop talking about the wonderful author visit they had with Amanda Foody. They absolutely loved how interactive her presentation was… I particularly liked how Amanda went through the writing and creative process with students - tying in character, setting, theme and conflict. My students went into this visit with little background knowledge about The Wilderlore Series - now it is all they talk about!”
The Maria L. Baldwin School, Cambridge, MA
"Having Amanda Foody visit our school was an absolute delight! Her energy and passion for storytelling captivated our students from start to finish. Through her engaging presentation, she not only shared insights into her writing process but also inspired budding writers with personal stories of her writing journey as a child. Amanda made immediate connections with the audience through a shared love of magic, suspense and adventure. Her stories and visit have inspired dramatic play experiences during recess each day! I highly recommend her enchanting Wilderlore series for students in intermediate grades as well as an author visit to your schools."
Norfeldt Elementary, West Hartford, CT
“Amanda was exciting and engaging and made even the most reluctant readers interested in picking up her books. Her presentation was excellently crafted and had the kids learning about the writing process without even realizing they were learning. What I enjoyed most about Amanda’s time at our school was her classroom visits following the presentation. She took the time to make sure each child felt special and it was evident that she was sincerely thrilled to be there!”
Linden STEAM Academy, Malden, MA
"Amanda was one of our featured award-winning authors at our annual conference, TomeCon 2023. Her session, How to Write a Magical Adventure, was a hit with our students. Many chapter advisers reported that their students loved Amanda's sessions about building their own stories. Amanda also participated in our author book-signing session, and the line of students was a mile long to meet her. She was so attentive to each student and really made them feel special while autographing their books."
Tome Student Literacy Society, TomeCon 2023
“We had a wonderful experience having Amanda at our school. The planning process was smooth, and she was very thoughtful in every way about the students' experience. She took several steps so that each student felt like they had a personal interaction with her and built a connection. The craft event that accompanied her presentation was very easy for our teachers to facilitate, and was a HUGE hit. Our students were inspired to create, to write, and to read!”
Old Greenwich School, Greenwich, CT
“Teachers and students alike were so positive about the presentation, the hands-on activity, and the message that Amanda communicated: stories are for everyone! Amanda was super easy to work with, flexible, responsive, and friendly. She was also so comfortable in front of the students, I asked if she had been a teacher (nope, just naturally good with kids!). I was very pleased we were able to host her at our school, and would absolutely recommend her to other schools considering a visit.”
Brown Elementary School, Natick, MA
