Author Visits

Now Booking In-Person and Virtual Visits

Elementary Schools (Grades PreK—5)
and Middle Schools (Grades 6—8)

Available for travel across the country and internationally

I’d LOVE to visit your school, library, or other event in-person or virtually on Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and other platforms. I offer several options:

• In-Person: Up to three 45- to 60-minute presentations per day

• Virtual: single presentations for grades PreK-1; 2-3; 4-5; or 6-8.

• I am booking in-person visits for Spring and Fall 2025

  To book a visit, please contact my school booking agent
  Allyson HIckey at Booked.

Book Events

I happily support equity and inclusion in the world of books and beyond. I am available for book events, conferences, panels, and festivals that proudly celebrate diverse books, authors, illustrators, and readers.

School Visits

I LOVE speaking to grades PreK—8 and am happy to tailor my presentations to your needs. 

For preschoolers and kindergarteners: I read my books and share book-related slideshows, games, songs, activities, and crafts. I can also discuss books I wrote while working for Sesame Street and Nick Jr. 

For grades 2-8: I offer interactive PowerPoint slideshows. We talk about:

• The stories behind the stories

• Where I get my ideas

• The detective hunt of uncovering facts vs. fake news in research

• The importance of revision

(See more detailed info about each book's presentation below.)

I also discuss being an author, explain the business of publishing, and take questions from the audience. For more info, download my author visit brochure at top right. I offer up to three presentations per day and fees are available upon request. If you have questions, you can reach me at Susanhoodbooks@gmail.com.

Sample Presentations

LIFEBOAT 12

2019 Golden Kite Winner

2019 ALSC Notable Book

2019 Bank Street Best Book of the Year

2019 CBCC Choices

NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction Recommended Title

Winner of State Reading Awards in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, and Oklahoma; runner-up in Massachusetts and Mississippi; nominated in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

(Curriculum areas: history, World War II, poetry, research, revision, historical fiction vs. nonfiction)

An interactive slideshow spotlights the thrill of researching historical events and includes photos of the real Ken Sparks, his friends on Lifeboat 12, the SS City of Benares, and the rescue ships. I reveal how I discovered this little-known story in old family letters written by my British evacuee mother-in-law and how I found the real Ken Sparks (then 88-years-old) and journeyed to England to interview him…two months before he died. I discuss why I chose to tell this story as a novel-in-verse and how writing middle grade books differ from my usual picture books.

Don’t miss the brand-new companion book—Lifeboat 5—on shelves October, 2024! This new companion book tells of two brave girls whose lifeboat capsized, revealing the “flip” side of the story.

ALIAS ANNA: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis

2023 Christopher Award Winner

2023 Sydney Taylor Notable Book

2023 National Jewish Book Awards Finalist

2023 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book

(Curriculum areas: Ukrainian history, World War II, Holocaust, poetry, research, revision, nonfiction vs. historical fiction, the life-saving power of the arts)

A slideshow presentation showcases the true story of two midde-grade sisters, both Ukrainian piano prodigies, who outwitted the Nazis during World War II. Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya, ages 12 and 14, are among the only-known survivors of Drobitsky Yar, an underreported crime at the dawn of the Holocaust. This is how the Shoah began, long before the concentration camps were fully operational, and yet few people are aware of this part of history. This nonfiction biography uses verse to reflect the music that was the girls’ salvation. Written with Greg Dawson, who is Zhanna’s son, the book relies on extensive research and interviews that shed light on the current devastating war between Russia and Ukraine.

Note: Zhanna had buried her story for more than 50 years until her granddaughter was given a homework assignment to interview a relative. It’s thanks to a thirteen-year-old (and her teacher!) that we now know this incredible story.

HARBORING HOPE: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the Nazis

2024 Flora Stieglitz Straus Award Winner

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

(Curriculum areas: World War II; the Holocaust; Danish history; poetry; research using primary sources, interviews, travel; revision; historical fiction vs. nonfiction)

Using first-person accounts and historical photos, I introduce kids to one of the most inspiring events of World War II that happened 80 years ago — Denmark’s daring evacuation of its Jewish citizens to safety in Sweden ahead of a Nazi roundup in 1943. This nonfiction biography in verse celebrates people who refused to be bystanders. It focuses on what one nation and especially what one young woman can do in the face of evil. As Henny Sinding said, “It was the right thing to do, so we did it. Simple as that.”

My slideshow presentation reveals the challenges of researching nonfiction (especially in a foreign language!); using both primary and secondary sources; and how interviews, travel, luck, and serendipity can correct the historical record. We discuss writing in verse and how to revise one’s work.

Pair this book with Newbery winner Number the Stars by Lois Lowry to discuss the differences between nonfiction and historical fiction.

THE LAST STRAW: KIDS vs. PLASTICS

2022 Notable Poetry Book for Children—NCTE Award for Excellence

“I encourage everyone to read this book and be inspired by these young activists working on the front lines.” —Dr. Jane Goodall

(Curriculum areas: science/environment, Earth Day, social studies/current events, nonfiction, Poetry Month, poetic forms, kid activists)

This book alerts readers to the growing threat of plastic pollution and showcases kids all over the world who are tackling the crisis head-on. Each spread offers up-to-date scientific information vetted by the Chief Scientist of Ocean Conservancy written in a variety of poetry formats. My interactive slideshow presentation reveals the pros and cons of plastic, shows the surprising places plastic can hide, delves into how it threatened our oceans, landfills and wildlife, explores the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, explains how microplastics get into the food we eat and the air we breathe, and reveals why recycling isn’t working. Then the book showcases children around the world, ages 8 and up, and their efforts to change the world. Includes actionable ways your students can help! Perfect for April school visits to celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month…or any day! Can be combined with ADA’S VIOLIN (see below). 

TITAN AND THE WILD BOARS: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team

Winner of the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award 2021 (Grades 3-5)

A NSTA and CBC Best STEM Book of 2019

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2019

A 2020 Notable Social Studies Trade Book

(Curriculum areas: social studies/current events, science/environment/natural disasters, poetry, nonfiction, research using interviews and primary sources, teamwork)

This book recounts the true cave rescue of the twelve young soccer players and their 25-year-old coach that riveted the world in the summer of 2018. My presentation shows photos of the real kids and rescuers from 23 different countries and explains the challenges of researching a developing, and ever-changing, news story. I discuss collaborating with a co-author and interviewing two of the divers who rescued the boys. Includes a “Behind the Art” video of illustrator Dow Phumiruk’s work. Can be combined with LIFEBOAT 12 (see above) to highlight the differences between researching historical and current events.

SHAKING THINGS UP: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World

2019 CBCC Choices

2019 Bank Street Best Book of the Year

2019 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List

A 2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Book

(Curriculum areas: Women’s history, biography, poetry, nonfiction, research, revision)

In this presentation, students and I play a game called “Two Facts and Two Fakes” to reveal just how much is WRONG on the Internet. I show them the myriad mistakes I found while researching this book and suggest ways to go beyond Google in their own research: asking an expert, consulting primary sources, questioning everything, using logic and imagination, digging deep to find nuance, asking for help. Includes a “Behind the Art” video showcasing the work of the 13 award-winning women artists who illustrated this book.

ADA’S VIOLIN: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

2017 E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor Book

2017 Bank Street’s Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

2017 Américas Award

2017 Christopher Award

(curriculum areas: Earth Day, recycling, poverty, music, Spanish, science of sound, nonfiction)

This slideshow details the challenges of writing my first nonfiction book, interviewing children who live on a landfill in Paraguay (with no postal service, no telephones, no email, and no Skype). I discuss where ideas come from, how to work with a translator, how many revisions I wrote (33!) and how to pursue an impossible subject, even in the face of a natural disaster. I talk about why I love writing nonfiction and share the thrill of the detective hunt for facts as I show photos of the real kids in the book. Includes a short video so students can hear the orchestra play their instruments made from recycled trash.

THE TOOTH MOUSE

2013 Bank Street Best Book of the Year

2013 Cooperative Children's Book Center CCBC Choices

(Curriculum areas: writing, revision, fables, fairy tales, cultural differences, French, dental health)

Interviewing a Parisian six-year-old for a magazine, I discovered that more than fifty percent of the world has a Tooth Mouse instead of a Tooth Fairy! A version of La Petite Souris is found not only in France, but also in Spain, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, El Salvador, and many other countries around the world. We discuss cultural differences and similarities and touch upon the French language because there is some French in the book. Then we discuss fairy tales, who invented them, and how they differ from fables. I have TOOTH MOUSE handouts that allow kids to keep track of lost baby teeth and offer tips for tip-top teeth and dental health.

LEAPS AND BOUNCE

2017 Bank Street Best Book of the Year

(Curriculum areas: science, metamorphosis, poetry)

A good choice for the littlest kids! In this presentation, I read this rhyming book about frog metamorphosis and then show photos of the miraculous process that transforms jelly eggs into tadpoles into frogs. We discuss how "changes come to all who grow," including what else hatches from eggs and how kids themselves have changed since they were babies. Can be combined with SPIKE (see below) a salamander that does not go through metamorphosis.

SPIKE, THE MIXED-UP MONSTER

Winner of a 2013 International Latino Award

"Highly Commended" list -- Charlotte Zolotow Award

(Curriculum areas: social skills, science, ecology, geography, Spanish)

Using an interactive Powerpoint guessing game, I show photos of the real animal behind the story—a critically endangered salamander called an axolotl who lives in one place in the world—Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. The axolotl is critical to science and medicine because it can regrow almost any body part, including parts of its brain! I also show sketches and color art by Caldecott Honor Medalist Melissa Sweet to demonstrate the stages of picture book making. Our SPIKE curriculum guide offers printable games, activities, songs, and drawing lessons I can share with the kids.

JUST SAY BOO!

(Curriculum areas: Halloween, reading, poetry)

Perfect for your Halloween event! I even come in costume. JUST SAY BOO is meant for the littlest trick-or-treaters. Its call-and-response rhymes help Pre-K through Grade 2 kids scare off the frights of the season. We read the book together and then treat ourselves to spooky JUST SAY BOO games and crafts.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP

An interactive poetry writing workshop suitable for grades 4 and up. Introduces poetry forms (spine poems, concrete poems, acrostics, blackout poems, reverso poems, list poems, riddle poems) and poetry techniques (alliteration, anaphora, onomatopoeia, etc) with an emphasis on having fun with wordplay. Includes plenty of time for kids to write and share their own poems.

Free Q&A Visits

I'm happy to offer free 15-minute Q&A virtual visits with your class.

Resources

Here are resources, games, and activities you can use with some of my books. They’re a great way to encourage reading and have fun together!

Download my Author Visit Brochure.

Testimonials

“Susan Hood's visit to the International School of Zug and Luzern was a truly enjoyable and engaging experience for students and teachers alike. Our students were rapt by her presentations, and Susan was able to adjust the content appropriately and deeply connect with the audience whether she was with Grade 1 students or Grade 8 students.

When discussing her writing, it was clear that she has a passion for children’s literature, from picture books to middle grade novels. It was fascinating was to hear Susan discuss the extensive research necessary to write historical fiction and non-fiction. 

The feedback from the students and staff was resoundingly positive. We cannot recommend her highly enough as an author visit. It was a very meaningful experience for our students that they will not soon forget.”

Library Team Leader Michelle Roberts, International School of Zug and Luzern, Switzerland

““Susan’s visit was our first in-person visit after COVID and what a wonderful experience! Her presentations were engaging for all grade levels. Everyone said how much they enjoyed it: “two thumbs up” – “a thousand thumbs up” – “the best day ever” – “I loved it - I wish there had been more time for questions!” Susan Hood has fans for life here in Arlington, VA!”

Librarian Kristin Wine, Arlington, VA

"The students and teachers really LOVED your books and your presentations. The first graders couldn't stop talking about it!"

Librarian Michele Eng, Ridgewood, NJ

"You kept an end-of-the-year, summer-so-close-they-could-taste it, group of teens and tweens hanging on your every word. My principal remarked, 'She has such a great way with the students. Amazing!' According to one of my veteran teachers, 'This event was the best one I have ever seen at any school.'"

Librarian Sue Crean, Brookfield, CT

"We loved having her! My students actually wrote signs and letters about saving axolotls. It worked so well with our persuasive writing unit!" 

Kindergarten teacher Barbara O'Neill, JFK, Brewster, NY

"We were so overjoyed to have you visit! It put the inspiration bug in us all!"

Fourth grade teacher Kate Ciccarelli, Stratfield School, Fairfield, CT

"Susan's books engage young children's imaginations while allowing older children to think about environmental issues, health issues, and culture."

Abigail Hoyt von Trapp,
The Eric Carle Museum
of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

"I've sat through dozens of these over the past 18 years, and never have I seen a group so engaged with so few bells and whistles."

Fifth grade teacher Mike Wood, Milford, CT