Inspire young readers
Talkabook connects kids with real authors in interactive, virtual Visits. Browse hundreds of programs created by certified authors and illustrators for early readers through young adults. Schedule a Visit today.
How It Works
Check out our Programs
Arts
Sing, Dance and Move to the Musical Picture Book Too Many Visitors for One Little House
Too Many Visitors for One Little House picture book explores the importance of feeling through Songs, Dance and Theater. In this presentation kids will read the story together, understand the themes of the power of inclusion and learn a song from the Picture Book Musical, Too Many Visitors for One Little House
30 Minute Program
101 Ways to Bug Your Characters – Creatively!
The hardest part about writing is thinking of something to write, right? Wrong! You might brainstorm batches of ideas, only to get stuck in the miserable middles – or even on that dreaded first line. So how do authors do it? How do they turn great ideas into great stories? By ‘bugging’ their characters, of course! Join Lee for a fun and funny…
45 Minute Program
$395
You can create and design characters!
I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to draw and design your own characters.
It’s easy and fun, everyone can succeed!
45 Minute Program
$149
Careers
101 Ways to Bug an Author...with Questions! (Extended Program)
Have you ever wondered what an author's daily routine looks like? How they come up with the names and personalities of their characters? What they do when they get rejection letters or Writer's Block? Maybe you’re curious about their writing process...which of their books is their favorite (or least favorite!) - - and WHY - - or perhaps you're…
45 Minute Program
$260
Career insights - What it's like to write mysteries for a job
Learn how Ballpark Mysteries author David A. Kelly became a writer, how he makes money, and what he loves (and hates) about his job!
45 Minute Program
$200
Education
Look Around You - Your Five Senses and Writing
Learn how to use the five senses in your writing to bring it alive. Go from "telling" to "showing."
Note: Students will need a glass of something to drink – touch the glass; see the glass; taste the beverage; hear the sound it makes when you’re drinking or setting it down; smell the beverage
30 Minute Program
How to keep germs away!
In this online class for ages 5-8, we will be learning all about how to keep germs away!
This is a live, small group online class - available on any device, and anywhere like the comfort of home! 🏡
Contact for details, to ask questions and book. The menu includes an online introduction to two of Life's Little Bug characters, Flu Bug and Tummy Bug …
45 Minute Program
$150
Fiction
Story Time with Rebecca
Let's read a book together! Choose from one of my books. I'll read it, and we can talk about the story and then do an activity. Be sure to have paper and pencils handy!
30 Minute Program
Write YOUR Own Story!
Did you ever think of writing a story? I bet you have lots of ideas, right? But how do you start?
45 Minute Program
$135
So You Want To Be a Poet?
I will use my latest book as a guide to introduce readers to poetic forms like sonnets, nonets and limericks, poetic stanzas of various lengths, and metered lines that demonstrate the beat and rhythm of rhymed and unrhymed poetry. We will then practice creating poems as well using word exercises.
45 Minute Program
$150
History
Susanna's Midnight Ride: Historical Research Is Fun!
I have a highly interactive approach and would love to tailor my talk to your child's specific interests. My goal is to bring history to life and install an interest in history that will last throughout your child's life.
45 Minute Program
$129
Behind-the-scenes Tour of Your Favorite Ballpark Mysteries Book
Go behind-the-scenes of your favorite Ballpark Mysteries book or baseball team, and learn some secrets of the team's stadium and Mr. Kelly's writing process.
45 Minute Program
$129
Meet the Creator
BOOOO!!!
Join British kid's author, poet and stand-up comic, IAN BILLINGS, in a spooktacular visit of fun, frolics and lots of ghoulish rhymes. Dare you join Ian as he reads some chilling, but chucklesome, frightening, but frolicsome, hair-raising but hilarious poems from his new book "Boooo!!!" ??
30 Minute Program
$170
Rockin' Read-alouds
An introduction to the author Mary Bleckwehl, her award-winning books, ideas, and a chance to listen and read along with her as she shares one of her stories. Includes an autographed book!
30 Minute Program
$115
WHAT DO YOU WONDER?
What do clouds feel like? How fast does the world's fastest train go?
Wonder has always driven my book ideas and writing and it's help me develop a love of research. During this program, I'll talk with participants about the types of research I do and how they could be doing the same sort of investigating.
30 Minute Program
$112
Nature & Animals
$150
Storytime with Poke the Hedgehog!
Storytime with the author, followed by discussion, song, dance, and a hands-on activity.
45 Minute Program
$129
Let's talk about plastic! Storytelling and Plastic Pollution Workshop
1, 2, 3, Who's Cleaning the Sea?
The sea creatures are working hard to clean their living environment of ocean pollution.
But why do they clean? What happened?
Would you like to know more about plastic pollution and how YOU can help the sea creatures?
We can find sustainable solutions together and protect our oceans!
30 Minute Program
$300
Nonfiction
Your Body, Sick and Well: How Do You Know?
Your Body, Sick and Well: How Do You Know?!? In this program, which has been a favorite in school and library settings, we will read a few fun, rhyming poems about the body - its parts (anatomy), what goes wrong with them (pathology), and how we doctors figure all that out, and then talk about those topics, and answer questions.
30 Minute Program
$105
Young Heroes of World War II
Kids are impacted by war along with their families. And sometimes, kids find heroic ways to help good prevail.
30 Minute Program
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Magic
What's the most fun part of writing a fantasy book? Why, the magic, of course! Come learn about the different types of magic in your favorite fantasy stories, and all the things you need to think about when you're getting ready to make your own!
45 Minute Program
$129
People & Places
Author Talk, Great Gray, A Book about Exceeding "NO" Expectations
There was much excitement in the village of Anapur. Elephants, Saguna and Prabir were expecting a little one--a perfect elephant calf. But when the baby was born...he was a little less than perfect. Follow young Gray on his journey from "not quite right" to becoming Great Gray, a village hero.
45 Minute Program
$129
Everyday Heroes Series-Dolores Huerta!
Join me for a reading, Q & A, and puppet making project. Can you be an everyday hero? Let’s find out!
30 Minute Program
$150
Farmers' Market Fun: Poetry Style!
Let's go to the farmers' market! Explore the wonders of the market through reading and writing poetry with award-winning author Michelle Schaub.
45 Minute Program
$129
Picture Books, Pre-K & Early Readers
The Giant Hug Storytime
Send a giant hug to a child in your life whether they live near or far! Sandra will read her award-winning picture book, THE GIANT HUG, and share the inside scoop about this fun, heartwarming, and educational story. Virtual hugs included!
30 Minute Program
$129
LEARNING ABOUT OPPOSITES!
Although the concept of “opposites” might not be easy for children to grasp with words, if we play the game "Up and Down and Up, " they will have lots of fun while learning. This session is based on the chapter "Opposites" from Connie's book, DANCE, TURN, HOP, LEARN! ENRICHING MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS. During this playful and energetic…
30 Minute Program
$100
Must Love Dogs!
How many pets is too many? Interested in rescue dogs in general or pugs in particular? Want to hear about volunteer work at an animal shelter and the great characters I meet for my stories?
MUST LOVE DOGS to schedule an Author Visit with Jean!
30 Minute Program
$119
Science & Technology
Smartphones and Computers! How are they made?!
We take a look underneath the glass and plastic of tablets and laptops into the world of SOIC and Friends. We will look at actual circuit boards and semiconductor chips and how they are assembled into the tools and toys your use every day.
30 Minute Program
$175
BUGS FOR BREAKFAST
More than 2 billion people around the world eat insects on a regular basis. It's a practice called entomophagy. This program may not completely remove the yuck-factor from the notion of eating bugs, but it will open young readers’ minds to what is happening in the world around them and how eating insects could help save the planet.
45 Minute Program
$160
Meet the Author, Hear the Story, Draw the DRONE!
Meet author-illustrator, Shanda McCloskey! First, she'll read T-Bone the Drone, then teach you (step-by-step) how to draw the DRONE from the story! Shanda also loves conversation and questions.
30 Minute Program
$150
Self & Relationships
UPPER ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS
UPPER ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS
"JOEY PIGZA" SERIES /ADHD/A FUNNY, SMART, WINNER OF A KID!
45 Minute Program
$500
Solve Our Sleep From A to Zzzz
Children and parents will learn about the importance of sleep.
30 Minute Program
$200
Skills, Hobbies & Interests
Perform Your Poem!
Whether you already love writing and reciting poetry or just want to try it out, this workshop will make it easy and fun. We'll practice both composing and performing an evocative poem. Participants should have a notebook and writing
utensil. Family members are welcome to
participate together.
45 Minute Program
$299
All Writing Is Good Writing!
What ways can writing fiction help you with writing for school, for work, and beyond? Um IN EVERY WAY! Learn about how your brain can't tell the difference between dragons and dissertations!
45 Minute Program
$129
Mystery Writing Workshop
Learn how to generate mystery ideas and write the first page of a Ballpark Mysteries-like story.
45 Minute Program
$250
Social Themes
Happy Valentine's Day!
Want to make your Valentine's Day celebration extra special? Brenda Ferber will read aloud her hilarious picture book, The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever. Then she'll share the real life incident that inspired the story and show the kids how to make their own Valentine Man.
30 Minute Program
$125
Loving vs. Virginia: Can you love who you want? Marry who you want? Can there be a "bad law?"
Loving vs. Virginia is the name of the U.S. Supreme Court case which ruled in favor of interracial marriage in 1967--not so long ago. Mildred Jeter, a black woman, married Richard Loving, a white man, in Virginia in 1958, were arrested, jailed, released and banished from Virginia, until their case went to court. Is this fair?
45 Minute Program
$150
World & Culture
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Magic
What's the most fun part of writing a fantasy book? Why, the magic, of course! Come learn about the different types of magic in your favorite fantasy stories, and all the things you need to think about when you're getting ready to make your own!
45 Minute Program
$129
Little Hands Signing
Learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary through interactive age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities with Kathy MacMillan, nationally certified ASL interpreter and author of the Little Hands Signing series.
30 Minute Program
$250
Celebrating The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is a celebration by Jewish people around the world. There are many interesting facts about Hanukkah that go back thousands of years. Dancing Dreidels is a fun story about four dreidels who are best friends. What's a dreidel, you ask? Well, I am sure that Neil Nun, Gail Gimmel, Harry Hey, and Sheila Shin can tell you all about it. Get ready…
45 Minute Program
$129
Writing & Illustrating
Read. Write. Repeat.
Calling all budding authors of middle grade fiction! In a one on one chat, let's discuss writing, tips of the trade, and exchange favorite story titles. This program can be modified for small groups.
45 Minute Program
$129
Farmers' Market Fun: Poetry Style!
Let's go to the farmers' market! Explore the wonders of the market through reading and writing poetry with award-winning author Michelle Schaub.
45 Minute Program
$129
Meet the Author
Ian C Douglas came to writing after ten years in education. He has an MA in Creative Writing (Distinction) and runs creative writing workshops for both adults and children. He mentors emerging writers one-to-one. This session is a relaxed Q&A when Ian will talk about his writing practice and take questions.
45 Minute Program
$129