I really enjoyed the conversations “Sweet Dreams, Sarah” provided my classes. It was even more special to couple the book with the opportunity to talk to the author, Vivian Kirkfield. Vivian was engaging with my second graders and her thoughtful responses to all of them inspired many dreams of my own students. – Leah H. 2^nd grade teacher 

Have book – Will travel.

For me, the only thing better than writing for children is sharing my love for books with them. I’ve presented at schools, libraries, and conferences, across the country and around the world. From Chicago to Colorado, from Sydney to Singapore, I’ve customized presentations to meet the curriculum needs of each school and have made even large school assemblies and conference presentations feel interactive. No matter where I go, my goals are the same:

• Encourage kids to discover the storyteller that lives within each of them.
• Provide literacy and idea-generating skills that can be implemented immediately.
• Empower the audience to believe in themselves.

Please contact me to reserve a date on the 2023/2024 school calendar: bookviviankirkfield@gmail.com.

As our students filled the room, they whispered excitedly, waiting to hear from Vivian Kirkfield, author of Sweet Dreams, Sarah. At the end of the presentation, our students were eager to get their questions answered. Throughout both her presentation and her Q & A, Ms. Kirkfield inspired not only the children, but the teachers as well, to keep dreaming and working hard, just like Sarah E. Goode.

– 5^th grade teacher at Lycée Français de Chicago

SCHOOL VISIT AND PRESENTATION FEE SCHEDULE: 2022 – 2023

IN PERSON SCHOOL VISITS

LOCAL: (within 50 miles of Bedford, NH)

$800 per day, no charge for transportation or accommodations – up to THREE SESSIONS per day which could include:

• PowerPoint presentation/presentations to large assembly
• Individual classroom workshop program
• Round-table small group one-on-one mentorship
• PLUS: I would be happy to have lunch with a small group of children who are focusing on writing as a career.
• Book-signing – I’d love to personally inscribe any copies of my books that have been purchased (I recommend that schools partner with their favorite local independent book store to facilitate sales – I can provide a one-sheet of all of my books that can be copied and sent home to parents).

AROUND-THE-CORNER-LOCAL (within 20 miles of Bedford, NH):

I can come for one or two sessions ($300 per session)

OUTSIDE MY LOCAL AREA (beyond 50 miles from Bedford, NH):

$1000 per day, plus travel/accommodation expenses if needed

• up to THREE SESSIONS per day – willing to split time between two different schools if the schools will arrange for my transportation to get from one location to the other.
• Rate (after the 1st day) discounted to $700 per day for multi-day bookings.

VIRTUAL ZOOM SESSIONS: 

These can be wonderful ways to introduce kids to an author and get them excited about writing. Kids are natural storytellers…usually, if we give them the chance, they don’t want to stop talking.

Thank you so much for meeting with one of my first grade classes today. It was the perfect addition to our nonfiction unit. They loved hearing about how bicycles were invented and are now super curious about other inventions. Thank you for sparking their curiosity. – Marci Johnstone – K-1 Library Teacher, Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii

CUSTOMIZED ZOOM AUTHOR VISIT FOR A SINGLE CLASSROOM: $97

• 30-45 minutes
• Can include PowerPoint on becoming an author, brainstorming ideas, researching and writing nonfiction
• reading of any of my books
• Q&A
• Invitation to participate in #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge that takes place on my blog during Children’s Book Week, usually the first week in May.

 LARGE GROUP ZOOM AUTHOR VISIT: $197

This program is suitable for 100-400 students – assembly/auditorium/cafeteria/gym floor

• 45-60 minutes
• Choose one of the presentations below – either Follow Your Dreams or Make Your Voice Heard or Nothing is Impossible If You Can Imagine It or I can customize a program especially for your school
• PowerPoint presentation
• Read-aloud of one of my books
• Q&A
• Invitation to participate in my #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge that takes place during Children’s Book Week, usually the first week in May

PRESENTATIONS*

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT – For classroom or large groups of students in grades 1-6+ – Length – 45-60 minutes

Presentation includes a 25-minute PowerPoint focusing on steps to building your dream into reality.
Also shared are the steps in the Scientific Method that each of the inventors followed
I’ll read one of the stories in FROM HERE TO THERE: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves
15 minutes or more allocated to Q&A

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS – For classroom or large groups of students in grades 1-6+
Length – 45-60 minutes

Presentation includes a 25- minute PowerPoint focusing on the steps to becoming a published author.
Also shared are the key elements that contribute to the success of any project:  Passion, Preparation Practice, Patience, and Persistence… referred to as The Five P’s.
I’ll read SWEET DREAMS, SARAH: From Slavery to Inventor
15 minutes or more are allotted for a Q&A – kids LOVE to ask questions.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD – For classrooms or large groups of students in grades 1-6+
Length – 45-60 minutes
Presentation focuses on how Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe made their voices heard and worked together to break barriers – includes a 25-minute PowerPoint focusing on the key elements that contribute to the success of any project:  Passion, Preparation, Practice, Patience, and Persistence. Students are encouraged to think about what they want to accomplish for themselves, for their school, and for their community.
I’ll read MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe.
15 minutes or more allotted for Q&A.

BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END –  Best suited for small groups grades Pre-K – 2           Length – 30 minutes

Interactive session includes a reading of one of my books (or any picture book that the teacher would like me to read), discussion about beginning, middle, and end, and a hands-on craft activity. Each child needs just one sheet of blank paper and a pencil or markers. (maximum 25 students)

 

MINING FOR IDEAS  – Best suited for small to mid-size groups in grades 1 – 3, or it could be tweaked to provide a mentoring opportunity for a very small (up to 6 students) group of writers in grades 4 – 6
Length 45 minutes

Interactive session including a reading of one of my books, discussion about where I  got my idea for it, and a hands-on  group story-building activity where the kids will help write an original story.

IT’S TIME FOR RHYME – Best suited for small groups grades PreK – 2.
Length – 30 minutes

Interactive session including a reading of Pippa’s Passover Plate (or any rhyming picture book chosen by the teacher), discussion about rhyme, and a hands-on rhyme-building activity. (Maximum students: 25)

WHO’S COUNTING ON US – Best suited for Grades PreK – 2
Length – 30 – 40 minutes

Presentation includes a PowerPoint that focuses on endangered animals and how we can help protect them.
I’ll read FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: An Animal Counting Book
5-minute Q&A for older groups or 5-minute counting song/movement activity for the younger children.

*Personalized programs for your school may be requested.

Straight out of college, I taught kindergarten in the New York City Public School System. I wanted to encourage kids to become lovers of books and reading. I wanted to empower them with the knowledge that nothing is impossible if you can imagine it. That is still my wish. An author visit can be a life-changing experience for a child.

Click here to contact my booking agent, Judy Cooper, for more information.

I bring history alive for young people and my books encourage kids to believe that nothing is impossible if you can imagine it. A school visit by a children’s author is a fabulous way to promote literacy. Kids love when I share with them the early pages of my books. They can see how each story began, understand that the finished product with formatted text and glorious illustrations did not start out that way, and they can embrace the process of revision…that nothing is perfect the first time we do it. Many of my books come with free curriculum guides and/or activity sheets that teachers, parents, and librarians can download from my website.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Please email for more information or to reserve a date for this school year: bookviviankirkfield@gmail.com

Thank you again for your great talk to the kids! It had an impact on my own child (7 years old), who started to write and draw a comic book. Ten days after Vivian’s visit, it is now a 36-page book! – Perrine Domaine, Teacher librarian, Art and Culture Coordinator, Lycée Français de Chicago