BEFORE THE VISIT: It is best to plan a visit at least three months in advance. This allows time to firm up dates and prepare the kids for the upcoming presentation. Once the particulars of the visit are settled, I will send a contract, listing the date, the honorarium, any expenses to be reimbursed, the location, time and number of presentations. This contract will need to be signed and returned. PREPARATION FOR THE VISIT: It is helpful if, before the visit, kids can be made aware of my books. If the teachers would consider reading one of them to their class beforehand, even better. In the “FOR TEACHERS” section of my website are discussion questions and/or activities for each of my books. I have been at schools where the kids are required to come up with a few pre-prepared questions. This has always sparked lively and fun discussions, and I highly recommend it. Promoting the visit through posters and school-wide announcements generally add to the excitement of the day. EQUIPMENT NEEDS: I will need an LCD hooked up to a computer. I am technically challenged and do not know how to set the system up. So, you must have the system ready to go with an LCD and a laptop. I will provide the flashstick. I also will need to have water available during my presentations. LUNCH: As my voice tends to give out toward the end of the day, I do keep my presentations to a maximum of four one-hour sessions per day. I am happy to have lunch with teachers or kids who have questions, but do ask there be lunch if I am to be there all day. BOOK SALES AND SIGNINGS: My books can be ordered through local bookstores or the publishers themselves. (The contact department and phone numbers are provided in the BOOKS AND REVIEWS section of this area) I am happy to stay afterward and sign. I always find that having the books on hand for purchase makes a visit more memorable. Sending home order forms before the day is a good way to ensure that parents, too, are aware of the visit, and that every child, who wants one, can have a book for signing that day.