top of page
Author/Illustrator
jasonfowlerbooks@gmail.com
Book an Author Visit with Jason
My name is Jason Fowler. I make children's picture books.
I've illustrated over 45 children's books and self-published 6 of my own. I also spend a lot of time reading to students and showing them how books are made. My goal is always edutainment—learning that is FUN.
I started as a graphic designer who accidentally became a children's book illustrator. I fell in love with it.
After illustrating a couple dozen books for other authors, I decided to take the leap and write my own book, Dance and Play the Animal Way, a fun rhyming book for kids 2-6 years old.
When I'm not working, I enjoy reading non-fiction, watching old movies, banging out 90's tunes on a dusty guitar and chasing my kids around the house. I also run a yearly summer camp called the Super Kids Creativity Camp and drink coffee like it's going to disappear tomorrow.
Here's Why Your Students Will Love My Visit
My books are fun:
There's nothing worse than a boring book. Nobody wants to sit through a long, awkward story that puts them to sleep. My stories are designed to be fun and funny—your students will be engaged while I'm reading to them for two reasons: First, I read with a lot of personality and second, my readings are highly interactive. Rather than reading AT the students, I invite them to participate in the story with lots of questions FOR them.
Kids learn a LOT:
I'm a graphic designer, illustrator, writer self-publisher and speaker. This means I talk about making books and making a living as a creative person in ways other authors can't. Your students are hearing stories, but they're also discovering the creative process and how to use it in their own lives.
I deliver age-appropriate presentations:
There's a WORLD of difference between Kindergarteners and 5th graders, which is why I make my readings / presentations age appropriate. I have 2 basic presentations: One is for grades Pre-K to 2nd. The other is for 3rd grade to 5th. This is because an author visit is for ALL the students in a school, but picture books are mainly for younger kids. I lean into reading for the younger kids and into my presentation about making books for older kids (though I read to them as well—after all, we never really grow out of loving picture books).
My presentations are multimedia experiences:
I use a computer and a projection screen to display my books and show my media presentations. These are not boring PowerPoint presentations with bullet points and walls of boring text. These are visual elements that enhance the presentation.
I have 20+ years of experience working with kids:
I've always worked with kids, in just about every capacity. I've taught them in schools, in camps and classes. I've taken them on trips as part of the Boys and Girls club. I've visited thousands of them at schools and read to them. I've lead them in big and small groups, activities, lessons, workshops, camps and readings. In a nutshell, I'm comfortable with students and enjoy working with them and talking to them.
I help you make the school visit an event:
We all love some hype. When you book a school visit with me, I'll send your school a Hype Kit, which includes posters to hang, a free set of books for the library, an informational page about the visit for your media specialist, an order form to send home with the kids and a set of activities based on my books.
Here Are the Books I Bring to Visits
Dance and Play
the Animal Way
A rhyming book to get your kids moving!
There's nothing more fun than watching your kids dance and act silly. If that sounds like a good time, this is the book for you! Your kids will learn how to dance like a turtle, bear, shark, monkey and more! For ages 2-5.
Max and The No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time
How the perfect birthday party went all wrong!
This is Max's introduction. He's been invited to his best friend's birthday party and it's all he can think about—the cake, balloons, games, presents! Max arrives at the party and things turn bad almost immediately! For ages 3-8.
Max and the Search for Munky Mondo
A fun, hilarious, epic tale with a twist ending.
This is book 2 in the Max book series, and Max has got a lot of books to go. If you were a fan of Max and the No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time, you'll want to pick up this book to follow his continuing adventures. For ages 4-8.
The Super Kids
Activity Book
The activity book with ninjas, aliens, dinosaurs, and more!
This book has all the activities your kids love—mazes, spot the difference, word searches, hidden objects and more—it's also loaded with my own Noggin' Joggers. These are creative prompts that will crack you up! For ages 5-12.
There's A Special Treat, Too!
I am currently working on a book. I LOVE to read books-in-progress to kids, in their rough versions, for 2 reasons: First, it's a LOT of fun for kids to see a book in progress; and second, I invite the students to actually help me in the making of a book. What I mean is that I invite their feedback and use it in the creation of my books, which means they become a part of the publishing proceess.
Here Are My Author Visit Presentations
PreK-2nd Grade
I perform highly interactive, engaging and fun book readings for kids ages 4-8.
I prefer to have access to a projection screen so I can use my computer to project the story.
I've written 3 fiction books that are perfect for these ages. Dance and Play the Animal Way is a dance-a-long rhyming book that I use with Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. We read this book and perform the dances together.
Max and The No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time and Max and The Search for Munky Mondo are a couple of fun, funny and engaging stories that we read through together. I ask the kids questions to keep them engaged. The readings are dramatic and entertaining. The pages are also filled with background jokes and gags that we discover together.
A typical session lasts 45 minutes, but I am flexible and amenable to your schedule.
3rd Grade-5th Grade
I have a presentation about how books are made. It emphasizes imagination, creativity and taking initiative.
This presentation requires access to a projection screen, since I use my computer to display slides.
I believe in edutainment. It's my responsibility, as someone brought into your school to speak to students, to be as engaging and interesting as possible. If kids are falling asleep, they're not learning anything.
This is why my presentations are funny, highly interactive, energetic and age appropriate.
I want to help students become the best they can be, so my presentations always focus on positive themes of personal creativity, taking initiative, contributing and just plain doing stuff.
These presentations typically last 45 minutes, but I am flexible and amenable to your schedule.
Here Are Some of The Ideas I Bring With Me
Kids Need to Play
In an age of phones and tablets, kids are forgetting how to play.
If you're old enough, you have fond memories of playing outside with nothing but your friends and what you could find.
I love screens and games as much as anyone, but if you fill every spare second with mindless entertainment, you lose out on that special and important part of childhood—learning how to play.
Play teaches kids valuable skills like resolving conflict, making rules, socializing, working with people, making friends—These are some of the most important skills we'll ever learn. And they don't come from anything on a phone, tablet or gaming console.
Creativity and Imagination are Vital
People are designed to be creative.
In a time when technology changes our lives dramatically from decade to decade, it's more important than ever for people to embrace imagination and creativity.
Imagination and creativity allow us to adapt, create new things and contribute to the world in unique ways.
They're like muscles. We all have them, and we can all build them up with regular use. There's no such thing as an uncreative person.
Free Time is Important
Amazing things happen during empty time (uninterrupted by a screen).
I can listen to YouTube videos through my ear buds every second of every day. I can scroll social media every time I get a free second. I can play a game on the phone the instant there's nothing to do.
But every second I spend doing those things is a second I could be reading, practicing an instrument, working on my business, talking to a friend, writing or a thousand other useful things.
Amazing things happen if we give ourselves free time. That's when we get creative and start doing interesting things.
Do Things Right Now
Nike got it absolutely right. Just do it.
It's never been easier to do what we want. There's no need to wait—start right now.
The habits of childhood become the habits of adulthood. If we wait around to be picked, discovered or grow up before we start doing stuff, we might never do anything.
Whatever we want to do, we should begin doing right now. Using our strengths and ignoring our weaknesses, we can contribute to the world at this moment. There's no need to wait.
What about older kids?
Interested in having me visit your middle school or high school?
I'm happy to talk to you about visiting and talking to the kids about imagination, creativity, doing things and my creative work as an author, illustrator, graphic designer and self-publisher. My background includes college study (B.A. in Studio Art), 15+ years of various graphic design work, 7+ years of fine art / illustration freelancing, working on books in nearly every capacity and self-publishing.
FAQ
1) How long are your presentations / readings?
A typical session for one class lasts about 45 minutes, but I'm flexible and amenable to your schedule. I also enjoy full school or multi-grade assemblies.
1) How does a visit work?
Typically, I will either do presentations for each grade level, or I do a multi-grade / full school assembly.
I do interactive readings for students in PreK-2nd grades and media presentations for students in 3rd-5th grades. I focus on readings for the younger kids and presentations for the older kids because my books are designed primarily for kids 4-8 years old, so they'll derive the most enjoyment from an involved reading. I do quicker readings for older kids to show them what I do, then focus on a presentation about making books and being creative.
2) Do you sell books as part of your visit?
Yes. I like to send an order form home with the kids a week prior to my visit. I've created the form already. It lists my books, the prices, and includes instructions for how to send the order form and money to the child's teacher. I also typically take the forms and money, and hand out books to students on the day I visit. Again, I'm flexible if you have a preferred system. If schools or organizations prefer to purchase books for their students, I offer bulk order discounts of 10% off orders of 25 or more.
3) Do you charge for a visit?
A full day visit is $275. A half day visit is $150. I also send an order form to give kids a chance to purchase books. If long travel is necessary, travel expenses will be included (ask me how you can avoid these fees).
4) What do you need from us when you visit?
I need access to a big display screen of some kind, because I project my storybook pages and presentation slides.
5) Are books available for bulk purchase?
Absolutely. Bulk orders require 2-3 weeks for printing and shipping time. I offer 10% off for orders of 25 or more.
Contact Me
I can't wait to visit your school. Let's set it up.
I've visited thousands of students, and we always have a great time. I'd love to visit your students, too.
Click the "Contact Me" button below, or use the email address below, to set up a school visit. I can't wait to hear from you.
Email: JasonFowlerBooks@gmail.com
(P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter.)
bottom of page