If you’re looking for a speaker who is entertaining and educational, you want children’s book author/illustrator Ann D. Koffsky! Ann has spoken at over 30 schools and events, and tailors her discussions to all ages and grade levels. Using illustrations from her more than 20 published books as a starting point, Ann describes the process of illustration from the first sketch to the final book. Her program is lively and interactive. It includes a sketching demonstration, a grab bag of props and lots of other fun surprises! Take a look at two recent presentations by Ann: at the Carbonara Public School in Valley Stream and at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County.
Click here for a printable brochure about Ann and her programs.
References
Click below to view a letter from Marilyn Hassid, Book Festival Coordinator, Houston JCC.
Ann infused humor and a child friendly energy into her multi media presentation. She didn’t simply give a presentation, she interacted and engaged with the children in an effortless way which showed she knew what she was doing and was having a great time doing it.
Stephanie Entin, Librarian
AJ Heschel School
Ann Kofffsky enchanted the students of my school by peeking their interests in the process of taking a simple idea, designing illustrations and producing a story. Her style and creativity threaded this presentation and delighted all present.I highly recommend Mrs. Koffsky as a definite neccesity to your instructional program!Christina Teisch, Principal
St. Thomas the Apostle School
Mrs. Koffsky handled herself with grace and candor while exhibiting a unique ability to connect with students over a short period of time. She taught the process of planning and illustrating a book with the limited information that is provided in a manuscript. The students reacted with excitement and glee when she revealed the finished product to the class. One of the most important elements of learning is watching the development of ideas come to fruition from literally minimal knowledge, to understanding, then to a tangible object that can be admired and revered. The look of surprise on the students’ faces indicated not only the skill of her artwork, but the confirmation that someday they too can become great artists, illustrators and authors.
John Singleton, Jr., Cultural Arts Vice President
Brookside Elementary School
Baldwin Union Free School District
By far the best part of Ann’s visit was her engaging manner, comedic personality, and friendliness which we all enjoyed, especially the children of Clifton and Passaic, New Jersey. Thanks Ann!
Vivan Ungerleider, Librarian
Clifton Public Library
Ann Koffsky visited our school for the day on May 26th, 2009. When I first spoke with Ann about our “Visiting Authors” Program, I asked her what age groups her programs were geared to. She told me that she could adapt her program for all grades from the Nursery and Pre-K classes through our 8th graders. I was delighted that I could include all our students (we are a Solomon Schechter N through 8 school) in the day’s activities, but I admit I was a bit skeptical about the program being appropriate for such a wide range of ages. Ann and I spoke on the phone prior to her visit, and decided on 4 separate groupings of our student body (Nursery & Kindergarten; Grades 1 & 2; Grades 3 to 5; and the Middle School. I am delighted to say that Ann was true to her word. Every one of our students, regardless of age or grade, was captivated by her presentation. She did a wonderful job of adapting the program to each of the 4 groups. I received very positive feedback from staff, and students alike, It was our pleasure to have Ann spend time with us.
Joyce Rogow, Librarian
Reuben Gittelman School
I would like to indicate to you the type of highly successful program Mrs. Koffsky led at our school last fall. Mrs. Koffsky’s book, Eight Lights for Eight Nights, had just been published. She focused on the publishing process from an illustrator’s point of view. She led several workshops, walking students through the process from the time she received the text to final drawings, describing and illustrating on an easel as she went. She brought her original drawings and elicited from the children, at age-appropriate levels, the decisions that went into style, color choices, object placement on a page, etc.
She also worked with our children on one of the craft projects from the book. In all, it was a VERY full day, and a year later, I can still refer to the ideas she presented, and the children will recall the concepts and her visit.
If you would like your students to really get inside the illustrator’s experience, Ann is excellent!
Davida M. Levin, Media Coordinator
TD School of Atlanta, GA
Previous Visits
Brookside Elementary School,
Baldwin Union Free School District
Baldwin, NY
Robert Carbonara Public School
Valley Strean, NY
Bi-Cultural Day School
Stamford, CT
B’not Malka (Grades 1-8)
Queens, NY
Clifton Public Library
Clifton, NJ
HAFTR Preschool (Ages 3-5)
Lawrence, NY
Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (Grades K-5)
West Hempstead, NY
The Heschel School (Grades 1-5)
New York, NY
Houston JCC (Grades K-5)
Houston, TX
The Joseph Kushner Academy
Livingston, NJ
Manhatan Day School
New York, NY
Mazel Day School
Brooklyn, NY
Ramaz School
New York, NY
Reuben Gittelman School (Grades K-8)
New City, NY
Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School,
Valley Stream Union Free School District
Valley Stream, NY
SAR Academy
Riverdale, NY
Solomon Schechter of Bergen County
Bergenfield, NJ
St. Thomas the Apostle School
West Hempstead, NY
Torah Day School (Grades 1-8)
Atlanta, GA
West Hempstead Public Library
West Hempstead, NY
Yeshiva of Central Queens (Grades K-2)
Forest Hills, NY
Yeshiva of Flatbush (Grades 2 & 4)
Flatbush, NY
Yeshiva Har Torah (Grades 1-5)
Queens, NY
Yeshivat Noam
Paramus, NJ
Yeshiva of North Jersey (Grades N-2)
Bergenfield, NJ