Interactive Author Visits That Spark Creativity and Confidence

Are you ready for a fun and engaging presentation? Bring award-winning author-illustrator, Mike Ciccotello, to your school for a day of creativity, imagination, and pure joy. Students will love the hands-on activities as they draw along to create their very own characters. Teachers will enjoy Mr. Mike’s approach of confidence-building through participation. Whether you’re seeking an in-person full-day presentation, a virtual visit, workshops, or a literacy event, we can collaborate with your school or organization to create an unforgettable experience.

Virtual Visit

One presentation (45 minutes)

Mr. Mike begins each virtual session by introducing the books he’s worked on and exploring the differences between fiction and nonfiction. He shares insights into the roles of authors and illustrators, including a fun look at endpapers and how they help tell a story. After reading one of his books aloud, Mr. Mike leads students in a draw-along activity using simple lines and shapes to create a character. The visit wraps up with a brief Q&A, giving students a chance to ask questions and share their thoughts.

Full Day In-Person Visit

One to three presentations in one day
(45 minutes each)

During this engaging in-person visit, Mr. Mike introduces students to the books he’s created, exploring the differences between fiction and nonfiction, the roles of authors and illustrators, and the storytelling power of endpapers. He then performs a read-aloud of one of his books. After the reading, Mr. Mike leads a lively draw-along with some fun and imaginative tips to help students create their own characters. The session wraps up with a Q&A, giving students a chance to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on their own creative potential.

I love sharing the creative journey behind my books with students and helping them discover that they, too, can be authors and artists. Together, we can nurture a love for reading and build confidence through a fun, engaging, and interactive author visit. Read on to learn more about how I bring storytelling and illustration to life in schools.

– Mr. Mike

"Our visit with Author/Illustrator Mike Ciccotello was met with wild enthusiasm by our students and staff! Our students are constantly learning about the writing process and how an idea is nurtured and evolves into a story and Mike made the process authentic to them. Each student was fully engaged and excited to participate in the guided drawings. Teachers could not stop saying this was one of our best school-wide presentations that met the diverse needs of all of our students, K-3. We can’t wait to host him again!"

"Mike was incredibly accommodating in a virtual visit across the globe (NJ to Alaska!). It was two days before spring break and my students were hyper, but he still managed to keep their attention captivated with a read-aloud and drawing lessons. The kids loved him and there were lots of laughs. I would highly recommend a visit with him!"

We were so excited to have Mike Ciccotello for our Virtual Author/Illustrator Day! During his Q & A, our students had many questions for Mr. Mike! His humor, positivity, energy and ability to connect with our students were all felt through the screen.

Mr. Mike is awesome! He is energetic and child-centered. He kept the students' attention for the entire session and they loved drawing with him.

What stood out about Mike’s presentation, besides his obvious strong rapport with the children, was how he clearly showed the nonlinear revision process as I’ve never seen before. The effectiveness of collaboration is a vital lesson for learners of all ages, and I can’t imagine a more vibrant way to teach it. I hope Mike’s example will stay with our students for a lifetime.

“Mike has the energy and enthusiasm that every five-year-old enjoys! Our Kindergarteners absolutely loved the live illustrations, too. They were excited to pick their favorite drawing and share it with Mike through the screen. We would gladly have Mike visit our classroom, again!”

“Mike shared not only his love of books but also had prepared the perfect follow along illustrator activity that even my youngest students could not only easily follow along but loved every second of it. The teachers (including myself) also took part and had an unforgettable author visit. ”

“You will Not be disappointed with having author/illustrator Mike Ciccotello visit your school. He has an informative, fun and engaging presentation for students of all ages. Mr. Mike's energy and enthusiasm was contagious!”

School Visit Inquiry

Name

Subject

Grades Participating

Goals and Expectations

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