Author Visits
At Monarch PK8 we believe in the power of stories to inspire, educate, and transform. That's why we are proud to host Author visits as a key part of our library programming. Over the past couple of years, we've had the incredible opportunity to welcome a variety of talented writers to our school community. These visits have sparked enthusiasm for reading, writing, and storytelling among students of all ages. Checkout these authors we've hosted in the past and stay tuned for announcements about upcoming visits!
Amy Atwater
"Amy Atwater is a paleontologist and geologist who believes every fossil has a story to tell. Under the banner of Mary Anning's Revenge, she has built a passionate online following of over 62,000 on Instagram by sharing her love for paleontology and ancient ecosystems. Amy holds a master's degree in paleoanthropology from the University of Texas at Austin and serves as the Director of Paleontology at Dinosaur Ridge near Denver, Colorado. She is also the President-Elect of the Colorado Scientific Society. Amy has named multiple new species of early primates, contributing to our understanding of ancient life and evolution. With a knack for making science exciting and accessible, her work inspires young readers and budding scientists to dig deeper into the fascinating world of dinosaurs and ancient life."
"Leslie Vedder is the author of The Bone Spindle series, who loves girl heroes and adventurers. She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction, and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing, and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats."
"Annie Herzig is an illustrator, author, and all-around creative based out of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Delighted in awkward, funny, and heartwarming interactions, she incorporates relatability and humor into her work, while developing lovable characters and getting to know them as close friends. Having experienced loss, she also explores themes revolving around grief and shared human experience, seeking to both offer and find connection with others."
"Stanley Tucker tells students he works with through his Leap for Literacy nonprofit that each of them is the author of their own life story.Tucker is known to students as the smiling, encouraging “Stan the Man” who they greet with high fives and hugs as he visits schools in metro Atlanta and elsewhere. He is writing his life story, one that involves helping children love reading and writing. It’s a story still being revised as he goes along."
"When Dion Leonard set off in the Tian Shan mountain range for a gruelling race across the Gobi Desert in China he didn't expect he would meet Gobi, a loveable stray dog who would go on an incredible journey with him. Across the 155 mile, seven-day ultra-marathon, the two quickly became inseparable companions as Gobi matched Dion's stride step by step to the finish line. However, before Dion could bring Gobi home, the little dog went missing, sparking a nationwide search to reunite man with his best friend."
"Cara Mentzel's debut memoir, Voice Lessons: A Sisters Story, about her relationship with her superstar sister, Idina Menzel (yes, they spell their last names differently), was a Good Reads Choice Award nominee in 2017. She has a master's degree in elementary education with an emphasis on children's literacy, and though she currently spends most of her time writing, she enjoyed teaching elementary school for well over a decade and can occasionally be found back in the classroom talking about books she loves. Loud Mouse is her first picture book."
"Mat Heagerty super happily lives in Vermont with his best buds/family. He writes graphic novels like 'Lumberjackula', ‘Martian Ghost Centaur', and ‘Unplugged and Unpopular'. Mat is dyslexic, and struggled a bunch in school, now he travels the country talking to elementary and middle school students about the strengths of learning disabilities. During the 2023-2024 school year Mat and his family bought an RV and traveled all across the U.S. It was life-changingly amazing!"