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Here’s a snap of a display from a recent school visit in Tulsa, OK:

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While I doubt this is an original idea, I want to take credit for it anyway. It’s become one of my favorite parts of any school visit when the schedule allows. 

For an elementary school, K-5, I typically do 3 1/2 presentations. I like to add a short one (25 minutes) with PreK/K-only, where we keep things simple and age-appropriate; works better for everyone. Then I do full presentations for grades 1-2, 3-4, and 5-only (45-50 minutes). 

There’s time for me to sign books, always alone. 

And then, ta-da, “Cookies & Conversation.”

Kids love cookies.

And some of them like chatting with a real, live author.

Essentially it’s a cozy group of 10-15 young people — the ones who would rather sit in the library with an author than go outside for recess. 

It’s always a loose Q & A format that tends to go deeper on writing, if that’s where the group takes me.

I’m often invited to eat lunch with students — and while I’m willing to do that, it’s a cherished tradition in some places, I much prefer to eat in silence and do a 30-minute Q & A with a small group. 

Anyway: Did I invent the Cookies & Conversation format? 

Um . . . maybe? 

Okay. Probably not. 

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