The best thing you can do to prepare for any author visit is to acquaint the children with at least some of the author's work. Have them read (or read to them) several of the author's titles in the weeks prior to the visit. This will build enthusiasm. Mount some displays, not only in the library but also in other parts of the building. Try to involve the teaching staff in the process as well--perhaps they could tie some of the author's books to their curriculum or do an author study. Some schools have hosted an author reception or tea, while others have promoted a writing competition--with a couple winners from each class getting to have a pizza lunch with the author. Others have used the pizza lunch idea as a reward for their most talented writers or top students or best citizens. Offering a booksale will also garner interest and enthusiasm. The more acquainted the children are with the author's work and the more enthusiasm instilled, the more successful the visit will be.
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Some of the schools that I've visited over the years have blown me away with their preparation activities. One (Robertsdale in Alabama) had the stage behind my presentation area set up as a teddy bear's picnic (for Country Bear's Good Neighbor). Another (Tate Elementary in Kern County) had life-size re-creations of the characters from several fiction titles decorating the hallways and raindrops (from the Rookie Reader Raindrops) dangling from the ceiling. The children created artwork panels based on my books and a volunteer parent stitched them together into a king-size quilt. (Yes, I use it!) At another (Smallwood Elementary, Buffalo, New York), every grade level selected a title and tied it to curriculum...with one grade level reading my tall tales and creating their own and another reading my Corner Kids titles (Rookie Choices) and doing projects with each character trait discussed in those books. It never ceases to amaze me at how creative teachers can be at using books in their classrooms when given the chance.
