Testimonials

The Children's Book Festival to Go is an amazing event for our students. In our schools, many of our students do not have transportation to attend any kind of outside event celebrating authors, even if the event is free, like the Book Festival held in our city each year. Without the festival to go, they would never be able to see any type of author presentations at all. The inspiration, information and excitement about books and what it takes to become an author would be completely missed without this event. Additionally, our school district - The Rochester City School District - serves the fifth poorest city in America. We do not have the resources to meet our students’ basic needs, in many cases, leaving us nothing for enrichment and opportunity for students who need it. Some of our children can, and do, write and love it. Without the Children's Book Festival to Go, all they would have is second hand accounts of something that they should be exposed to. As a School Librarian, I can promote and talk about books, but it simply does not have the same impact a real author with a book does. Vivan Vande Velde and the Children's Book Festival To Go is invaluable. Giving the Festival more funds to buy books to be circulated in the library would not only enhance the program but make a lasting contribution to Library collections for years to come.

I looked at my stats and you donated 16 books to the library. The readership of the authors who came increased by about 60% that year. Even though it has been a year and half, students still remember the authors and continue to take out some of the books. The older children remember more than the younger kids. I would love to have more opportunities to have authors in. What was especially nice about the festival is that all grades had an opportunity to see an author and learn some more. Usually we can only afford one author and have to target a grade or classroom.

I wanted to thank all of you again for all of the hard work that went into presenting for our students! All of the students and staff loved the presentations and I was stopped in the hall and emailed many times with positive comments about all of you! Thank you so much for giving us this wonderful opportunity for our students!

It was a wonderful event, and I so enjoyed working with you to set it up. I kept getting hugs from the children whenever I walked through the halls, and they were not 'I miss you' hugs, but 'thank you' hugs! Thank you for selecting my school, and for all the work you did with and without me to set it up.

Wow! What a great opportunity for our students. 'Outstanding,' 'Fantastic,' 'Wonderful,' were just a few of the comments that came from teachers after the incredible presentations and workshops given by 21 local authors from the Rochester Area Children's Writers & Illustrators Organization as part of the Authors’ Festival to Go program. Sponsored by Altrusa International, Rochester Chapter, represented by Jody Bowen, this program provides students the opportunity to talk directly with authors and illustrators to gain an understanding of what it takes to be a successful author or illustrator. In addition, all published authors presented books to the library for further enjoyment. This was an educational experience that our students will not soon forget! I would like to say, however, that this wonderful event would not have taken place without the hard work and dedication of author Vivian Vande Velde who coordinated scheduling with the authors and the school librarian.

The Festival to Go was a wonderfully enriching experience for our school! The authors were engaging, warm, and enthusiastic. Afterwards, the students clamored to borrow the authors’ books from the library. It was such a blessing that the authors donated their books to our library, along with some other titles, so that we could immediately provide the books to our students. The authors were very flexible, working with our school’s complicated schedule and any specialized needs. An author visited each classroom, and the teachers glowed with praise for the presenters. At Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., writing is our instructional priority: 'At School 9, students will develop an ability to communicate through written expression (sentences, paragraphs, essays, articles, and reports) to persuade/argue, inform, and entertain others.' The students regularly participate in reader’s and writer’s workshops, so being able to see, hear, and talk with a published author was inspiring and a great real-world connection to their classwork. We turned the Festival to Go day into a reading extravaganza. Students dressed up as their favorite characters, and older students did buddy reading with younger students. Parents were invited to participate in all of the activities. Over half the children in Rochester, NY, live in poverty. Our students lack many of the enriching opportunities afforded other children, so we greatly value the time, effort, and expense that was freely lavished on our families through the Festival to Go.

Festival to Go is a wonderful opportunity that allows our students, many for the first time, to meet an author or illustrator. Being able to meet actual book creators allows them to see this is a career they could attain to as they put a human face to the people behind their books. When they meet the people responsible for the books they are reading they are very excited and many times surprised as to how approachable and friendly these 'stars' are. The results of the Festival to Go extend beyond the current visit as students will borrow the author’s or illustrator’s books a year or two later to brag 'I met the lady who wrote this book'.

The teachers and students LOVED the event!!! I heard such positive comments about having the author in the classrooms. Thank you for all you do and we look forward to working with you in the future!!

Festival to Go visited two times while I was librarian at #9. The experience was a pleasure from start to finish. The FtG coordinator, Vivian Vande Velde, is very organized and communicates clearly and regularly throughout the process. The authors and illustrators are sincerely enthusiastic, warm, and engaging. Their classroom visits excite the students about reading, writing, and illustrating. While it does take time and effort to pull off the event, it is a privilege and well worth it.

School #9's experience with Festival to Go was truly exceptional!! Our love for literacy was already strong, and this festival built upon that foundation in powerful ways. Each author conducted a personal read-aloud, engaging students with interactive comprehension questions that they absolutely loved. Through these engaging writers’ and readers’ workshops, every student received a book and many of which were bilingual, thoughtfully supporting our Spanish-speaking population. As the liaison, I, Jeronda Griffin, helped coordinate this amazing literacy event, ensuring a seamless experience for students, staff, and visiting authors. The interactions between teachers and authors were inspiring, creating lasting connections that continue to bring valuable resources and encouragement to our school community.