Visits

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 a recent presentation by Ann at the Houston JCC's book fair.

Click here for a printable brochure about Ann and her programs.

References

Below are a few of my cherished references.

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

Thank you so much for coming in to speak to our nursery classes. It was so special to have such an extremely talented author and illustrator share her experience with us.

Trudy Rubinstein, Early Childhood Director
Hebrew Academy of Nassau County

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.

Mrs. Koffsky can undoubtedly present other types of programs, as she writes and designs a variety of things. If you would like your students to really get inside the illustrator's experience, she is excellent!

Davida M. Levin, Media Coordinator
Torah Day School of Atlanta

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

Previous Visits

Brookside Elementary School,
Baldwin Union Free School District
Baldwin, 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