Interested in an author visit at your school, library, or other venue or event? Here are snapshots and testimonials from some of the visits I had the immense honor to hold. I am now located in Essex County, New Jersey. If you'd like to see details for my author visit programming for schools and libraries, please view this PDF. Feel free to reach out to me via my contact form to inquire for more details or a customized author visit tailored to your event needs.
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"I have hosted many authors visits over the years, and I have to thank Sylvia for giving one of the most engaging and energetic presentations I've ever seen. She had the students hooked from the beginning, connecting with them immediately. By the time we began the chopstick competition, they were all in! The excitement rose with laughter and cheers. Inviting students to sing along with rewritten lyrics was the perfect ending. Students and faculty stopped me in the hallway to comment on what a fun experience they had with Sylvia!"
-Jill Mills, School Librarian, Franklin Elementary, Summit, NJ
Thank you to oh-so-awesome school librarian Jill Mills for including me in your school's author visit plans, especially for your Lunar New Year celebrations! And a very heartfelt thanks to your amazing school's PTO for making my author visit fully possible!
Ready to present for three back-to-back school assemblies!
Chopsticks challenge with jumbo chopsticks!
Chopsticks challenge with the author's eyes closed!
Chopsticks Poll-n-Tell!
Signed post-visit book orders at a local bookstore!
"I have been here a lot of years, and this was by far the most fun author presentation. I loved it!"
Lori, 3rd grade teacher
"This was a perfect way to kick off the week! What a great Monday!"
Cathy, 5th grade teacher
"Sylvia had the students so engaged. She was a wonderful presenter."
Mrs. Loor, Principal
Students said:
"That was so much fun!"
"I'm asking my parents to get me different kinds of chopsticks now!"
"Can we keep practicing with our chopsticks? I want to have a competition to pick up other things!"
"I want to try making that origami star!"
Such a cool welcome!
Loved personalizing so many book orders!
Such an honor to sign the author wall!
"The students and staff at our school thoroughly enjoyed Sylvia Chen's presentations about her first picture book, Tricky Chopsticks. Sylvia's engaging talks, tailored for students in grades K-3, provided an interactive and fun experience for our young readers and writers. During the sessions, students learned about Sylvia's writing inspirations, writing tricks, and word play. One of the highlights was Sylvia's creatively crafted rap about the main character of her story, which inspired everyone with a fun beat and rhythm. I'm looking forward to adding future books written by Sylvia Chen to our school library!"
Melissa Reinardy, librarian, Audubon Elementary School
Thank you Super Librarian Melissa Reinardy and Audubon Elementary School (and PTSA!) for such a warm and excellent welcome for my very first official author visit! I will treasure this memory forever, including one student who shared a parting over-the-shoulder request, "Let me know when your next book comes out, okay?" and 3rd grader who endearingly (and wisely) shared, "I think you're being brave [to present to us]."
Author visit split into two days with five K-3 group sessions
Loved presenting to almost 300 students total!
Fun students vs. author chopsticks challenges with jumbo chopsticks...
...and regular chopsticks with extra author-challenges (eyes closed, one foot up, etc.)
Amazing assembly at another local elementary school, had a blast with all these students!
Friendly chopsticks-wielding competition!
"It was an absolute delight to work with Sylvia! In communication, she is the kindest, most prepared and most responsive author I have ever worked with in the public library space. She is an excellent collaborator and was able to seamlessly adjust her program planning to include activities aimed at our youngest patrons' developmental level. On the day of the event, she was super well-organized and extra accommodating to patrons who had arrived after the storytelling portion of the event. The chopstick challenge tables were incredibly popular with kids of all ages and their grown ups, as was the 3D origami star craft. She even gave away her balloon decorations to the kiddos at the end! I would work with Sylvia again in a heartbeat and I look forward to seeing and reading her work in the future. Tricky Chopsticks forever!"
-Hope Y., Children's Services Librarian
Storytime to start!
Fun chopsticks challenges after!
A Bit Tricky: Pom-Pom Challenge!
Trickier: Food Squishies Challenge!
Trickiest: Shiny Star Stacking Challenge!
Look at that impressive stack!
"Sylvia Chen's visit to the Kirkland Library drew a large, diverse and enthusiastic audience. Her interactive book reading kept the crowd engaged and entertained. She followed the story with a great Q&A and an explanation of how chopstick styles differ between different countries. The hands-on activities that she prepared were leveled so that even the youngest rookie felt successful. The families had a great time and left with special gifts from the author. I am looking forward to seeing Ms. Chen's next book and would love to have her back in the future."
Amy Faulkner, Children's Services Librarian at King County Library System
Storytime at the beginning!
Impromptu storytime mid-event!
Making 3D origami lucky stars!
"Planning an author visit with Sylvia was super easy, with her School & Library Visit menu. There were a lot of fun combinations to choose from, our library went with "Let’s Make 3D Origami Lucky Stars!" which included a read aloud, Q&A and craft. Sylvia was super flexible in customizing the program to work at our library. Both kids and parents alike enjoyed the read aloud and asked so many great questions, which Sylvia answered with enthusiasm. Participants were able to connect with Sylvia during the crafting session in a meaningful way. I highly recommend hosting Author Sylvia Chen at your public library!"
Shelby Dupre, Children's Librarian at King County Library System
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