Expressing Kindness (Primary): Interactive read-aloud of A FAMILY LOOKS LIKE LOVE, a Q&A session, as well as a discussion about how we demonstrate kindness and acceptance of others. This session is approximately 15-minutes long with an option to extend it with a themed activity sheet. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Works well for both in-person and virtual author visits. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2.

*Honorarium special for 2026* Max three sessions per school.

Story time (Primary): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON and a Q&A session. This session is approximately 15-minutes long with an option to extend it with the an activity sheet of your choice. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Works well for both in-person and virtual author visits. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2.

Breathe Like a Clam (Primary): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON and a brief discussion on how the protagonist handles disappointment in the story. Together we brainstorm additional techniques for dealing with sadness and anger. Then I walk them through how to “breathe like a clam” in stressful situations. This session is approximately 15-minutes long with an option to extend it with the an activity sheet of your choice. Works well for both in-person and virtual author visits. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2.

Spin a Story! (Primary): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON and a brief discussion on the fun strategies authors use develop story ideas. Together, we’ll play a game to create our own story live. This session is approximately 30-minutes long with an option to extend it with the activity sheet of your choice. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Works well for classrooms and large audiences. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2.

Spin a Story! (Intermediate): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON, a Q&A session, as well as an audience-driven story idea generator game. During the game, I lead students in a discussion on the fun strategies authors use develop story ideas and the elements of a story. Together we brainstorm different components and create a story live. This session is approximately 30-minutes long with an option to extend it with the activity of your choice. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Works well for classrooms and large audiences. Ideal for grades 3 to 5.

Orbiting the Classroom! A Moon Scavenger Hunt (Primary): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON followed by a primer on the role the moon plays in the story. Then I lead them in a group scavenger hunt for Moon Facts hidden in the classroom. As the cards are collected we go over the responses to predetermined questions that enhance scientific concepts in adherence to the Next Generation Science Standards. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2. Works well for classrooms.

Orbiting the Classroom! A Moon Scavenger Hunt (Intermediate): Interactive read-aloud of UNDER THE CLAM MOON followed by a primer on the role the moon plays in the story. Then students break out into pairs on a scavenger hunt for Moon Facts hidden in the classroom. They work together to complete a fact finding answer sheet. After the cards are collected we go over the responses to predetermined questions that enhance scientific concepts in adherence to the Next Generation Science Standards. Ideal for grades 3 to 5. Works well for classrooms.

Ask Me Anything Author Talk (Advanced): In this interactive presentation, I highlight my journey to becoming an author and journalist. It concludes with a Q&A about the writing, querying, and publishing process. This session is approximately 45- to 60-minutes long. Ideal for grades 9 to 12 and beyond. Works well for classrooms and large audiences.

Optional Activities (An additional 15 to 20 minutes):

• Activity Sheet: Students write or draw what they would like to see on their own moonlit clamming adventure. Ideal for primary audiences. Themed counting sheets and a word search are also available. Ideal for primary audiences.
• Figurative Language and Vocabulary Primers: Various themed worksheets, crossword puzzles, and word searches are available. Ideal for intermediate audiences.
• DIY Story Idea Generator: Students create a story cube or story wheel (your choice!) by writing or drawing different elements of a story on each segment. Then they assemble their generator and use it to write their own unique story. Ideal for intermediate audiences.

Tales by Moonlight (Primary): During this interactive read-aloud of up to two of the Encyclopedia’s African folktales, I share how our African ancestors gathered around a full moon to hear a griot (storyteller and historian) impart lessons to its young listeners. I walk them through a call-and-response that we’ll repeat throughout the retellings. Students will receive a glow stick to “feed” the fire. This session is approximately 20-minutes long with an option to extend it with the activity sheet of your choice. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Ideal for grades Pre-K to 2. Works well for classrooms.

Tales by Moonlight (Intermediate): During this interactive read-aloud of the Encyclopedia’s African folktales (chosen by the students), I share how our African ancestors gathered around a full moon to hear a griot (storyteller and historian) impart lessons to its young listeners. I walk them through a call-and-response that we’ll repeat throughout the retellings. We’ll also reflect on the lessons they inferred from the folktales. This session is approximately 20-minutes long with an option to extend it with the activity sheet of your choice. Students will receive a glow stick to “feed” the fire. Aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts and Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. Ideal for grades 3 to 5. Works well for classrooms.

Black History Jeopardy! (Secondary): In this interactive game show, students put their knowledge of Black history (past and present) to the test. Along the way, they learn additional mind-blowing trivia and a little behind-the-scenes information about how I researched the book. This Formative Assessment Event aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts, Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards, National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, and Next Generation Science Standards. This session is approximately 45- to 60-minutes long. Ideal for grades 6 to 12. Works well for classrooms and large audiences.

BINGO-graphy Game (Secondary): In this interactive game of Bingo, I lead students in a discussion about Black history and the thrilling trivia I uncovered during my research. Along the way, students work to complete their Bingo cards. Rather than matching a number, they need to match categories to the trivia I’ve shared. The game requires students to use Auditory Processing, Active Listening, and Evidence-Based Listening Comprehension. It aligns with concepts and ideals outlined with the English Language Arts, Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. This session is approximately 45- to 60-minutes long. Ideal for grades 6 to 12. Works well for classrooms and large audiences.

Ask Me Anything Author Talk (Advanced): In this interactive presentation, I highlight my journey to becoming an author and journalist. It concludes with a Q&A about the writing, querying, and publishing process. This session is approximately 45- to 60-minutes long. Ideal for grades 9 to 12 and beyond. Works well for classrooms and large audiences.