Author and School Visits

because every great story starts with a wild idea and a little imagination. 

Download a copy of Mark's program to share with your school and colleagues. 

What Makes My Author Visit Special

Bring the Adventures of William & Thomas to Your School!

When I visit, it’s not just a reading—it’s an interactive, laughter-filled adventure! Here’s what makes my author visits special:

Fun, Engaging, and Interactive: Students don’t just listen—they become part of the story! With humour, dialogue, and lively storytelling, I make each session memorable.

Inspires Reading & Writing Confidence: Through games, prompts, and Q&A, students are encouraged to write, imagine, and share their ideas with pride.

Curriculum-Friendly: Aligned with Ontario literacy standards, my visits support reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and creative expression.

Memorable for Every Student: Kids leave energized, excited about stories, and inspired to create their own adventures.

Flexible Across Grades: Sessions can be tailored for kindergarten through Grade 6, ensuring content is age-appropriate and engaging.

What a Visit Looks Like

My sessions are hands-on, fun, and designed to spark creativity:

Live Readings: Students experience my books with humour, expressive voices, and dramatic moments that bring the story to life.

Storytelling & Writing Activities: Students participate in exercises that build confidence in writing and imagination—from inventing characters to crafting mini-adventures.

Q&A with the Author: Students get insights into the writing process, tips for budding writers, and a peek behind the scenes of William and Thomas’ world.

Flexible Programs: Visits range from 30-minute readings to full-day workshops, tailored to your needs.

Takeaways for Students & Teachers: Students leave with inspiration and writing prompts; teachers receive tools to sustain engagement in the classroom.

Every visit is lively, educational, and unforgettable—bringing the world of William & Thomas right into your school!

Option 1: Interactive Read-Aloud & Story Breakdown (Grades 3-4)

Mark reads from one of his books while actively engaging students through questions, predictions, and discussion. As the story unfolds, students explore how characters develop, how humour is used, and how themes such as friendship, courage, and determination shape the story. Students are encouraged to think like writers while enjoying an entertaining and interactive experience.


Length: 30–45 minutes                              Format: Classroom or library

Option 2: Bring Your Stories to Life! (Grades 4–5)

This interactive presentation focuses on how writers turn ideas into engaging stories. Mark demonstrates how dialogue, description, and humour help characters feel real and scenes come alive. Students participate throughout the session and leave with practical writing techniques they can apply immediately to their own work.

Length: 45–60 minutes                              Format: Classroom or large group

Option 3: From Idea to Author: The Writing Journey (Grades 4–5)

Mark takes students behind the scenes of the writing process, from first ideas to published books. He shares real examples of drafting, revising, and perseverance, showing students that writing is a process—and that mistakes are part of the journey. The session includes student Q&A and encourages creativity, confidence, and resilience.

Length: 45–60 minutes                              Format: Large group / assembly

Benefits of an Author Visit

Bringing an author into the classroom isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful learning experience! Here’s how students and teachers benefit:

1. Inspires a Love of Reading
Seeing a story come to life encourages students to read more, explore new books, and develop a lifelong passion for stories.

2. Boosts Writing Confidence
Interactive writing activities and storytelling exercises demonstrate to students that their ideas matter, helping them build confidence in writing and creative expression.

3. Connects to Curriculum
Aligned with Ontario literacy standards, author visits support reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and other key skills while making learning enjoyable.

4. Encourages Creativity & Imagination
Students are challenged to think outside the box, create characters, and craft their own mini-adventures—skills they can apply in the classroom and beyond.

5. Provides Memorable Learning Experiences
An author visit is exciting, interactive, and memorable, leaving students motivated, inspired, and engaged long after the visit ends.

6. Supports Teachers
Teachers receive ideas and resources to extend the lessons beyond the visit, making it easier to connect the experience to classroom learning.

An author visit is more than a story—it’s an opportunity to spark creativity, learning, and fun!

Download a copy of Mark's program to share with your school and colleagues.