Thank you for your interest in bringing an author to your school! When I was a child, I never met an author. But you – and the growing number of teachers, librarians, principals and parents who work to promote a love of books – are making our programs a regular part of the curriculum. Often I am told that reluctant readers and writers become eager readers and writers after an author visit. With your help, we can make books come alive!

I visit about 40 schools each year throughout the country, sharing my poetry and family stories with young people in grades K-12. I also conduct teacher workshops at universities and often speak at the conferences of organizations such as the International Reading Association (IRA), the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). In my talks I try to make poetry fun. I do this by sharing props which allow children to choose which poems I perform – a turtle introduces my poem "Dad," while a telephone suggests "Ask a Friend." Hands shoot up in the air; children beg to hear their favorite poems. Children even beg to read the poems they have just written with me. I love it when a shy student comes up to me after a session and, in a hushed whisper, says: "I used to hate poetry – but now, after hearing your poems, I like it!"

I would love to visit your school to work with teachers, students and parents. Schools typically schedule my visit six to nine months in advance – especially for my Lunar New Year, National Poetry Month and Mother's Day programs – so please plan my visit soon!