Author Visits & Presentations

All presentations are personalized for each school, grade level, or class in order to develop the best one for each particular group. Visits are available in-person and virtually through Zoom and Skype, if preferred.

Ellen will work with schools to make sure money is not a deterrent. Please contact Ellen for information.

BOOK IT!

Inspire your young readers and writers by inviting Ellen, children’s book author and educator, into your classroom.

What Schools Say

  • Our staff and students were very impressed with Ellen Leventhal's presentations. She captured audiences at every grade level 1st-6th. Our teachers commented on how she was able to relate the writing process with the concepts that the students are taught. It was very apparent that she has teaching experience which was valuable to her presentations. We highly recommend Ellen as a visiting author for all grade levels.

    Jamie McCauley M.Ed.; Library Manager, St. Laurence Catholic School

  • Ellen Leventhal is an amazing presenter who tailors her presentations to meet the needs of all students and age levels. I am amazed at how she can talk about her love of writing, how to become a writer, encouraging students to do what they love, and how we can all be kind into a 45 minute presentation. A school visit from Ellen Leventhal is a treat for everyone!

    Suzanne Ritchey; Librarian, Carroll T Welch Elementary

  • It was such a pleasure having Ellen Leventhal at Beth Yeshurun Day School. Her ability to engage the students while conveying such an important message is remarkable. Her book, Bully in the Barnyard, depicts the importance of the upstander and students were able to connect with the story with Ellen’s enthusiastic presentation. Ellen presented to our K – 5th graders and was able to distinguish the message for each grade level in an appropriate way.

    Alexandra Yudelevich; School Counselor, Beth Yeshurun Day School

  • Ellen is able to engage students and bring them into the creative process. She speaks to children at their level without being condescending. Confident and entertaining, Ellen is a wonderful public speaker that is naturally easy to listen to and she instills a contagious enthusiasm for writing. After touring with Ellen for an entire season, it is without reservation that I can highly recommend her. She has been wonderful.

    Kristin Miller; Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center

  • Ellen Leventhal was a joy to have at our school! She tailored each presentation to the specific grade level and was able to go from a pre-k group to a 5th grade group without a hitch! Our students were so engaged, they didn't even realize they were learning about cause and effect and the writing process!

    Julie Franco; Librarian, Clint ISD

  • The CTW’s students’ lives have been infused with a whole new love of reading thanks to you and your beloved books, and our jobs as librarians and teachers have been made a little easier too! We look forward to many more visits from one of our favorite authors.

    Fonnie Stephens; Librarian, Carroll T Welch Intermediate School

  • Loved having Ellen at The Branch School today! The students (and teachers too!) were enthralled with her presentation on her books, as well as themes of bullying and literacy. The students learned that they are all authors.

    Emily Smith; Head of School, The Branch School

Write Your Life…

and A Little Extra

Life can be stranger than fiction! Our lives are filled with ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Remember, elaborating isn’t lying. IT’S FICTION! Paper, pencil, and a sense of excitement are the only requirements.

Writing a Biography/ Finding Your Spark

Using Debbie’s Song, Ellen will share pointers, talk about research, and bring students into the process of writing non-fiction with hands-on activities. Children will also learn about Debbie Friedman — through pictures, writing, and activities, they will learn that they each have a special spark inside them and that they too have the power to make a difference, just like Debbie did.

You Are

An Author!

We all have stories to tell. Children are authors too, and this program will give them the confidence to share their ideas and stories and to BELIEVE that their ideas count!

From Idea to Publication

Do you ever wonder how a book goes from an idea to publication? Ellen will share her journey, and then the children will take part in hands on activities which will culminate with them making their own book. This presentation can be expanded into a full writing workshop or even be done over a few days. (It also includes some fun games!)

Writing Process

This is a shorter version of the ”From Idea to Publication” presentation. It includes a PowerPoint presentation focusing on the writing process. The children are involved in interactive games, and they also get a chance to write their own story.

Teaching Kindness and Inclusion

Ellen will use A Flood of Kindness as well as other books as a jumping off point for activities and discussions on inclusion, kindness, and understanding. All programs are designed for specific grade levels.