School & Library Visits

I love engaging young people through school, library, and other public visits—it’s the best feeling in the world to share my work with the readers it was created for. It’s also the best feeling in the world to strive to be the best version of myself for any child I meet.

My philosophy: Ever since I was little, I’ve had the natural tendency to mirror those around me. It wasn’t until I began presenting to young audiences that I finally realized my unfortunate habit of impressionability had a perfect application: to genuinely meet kids where they are—having an ear for their preferred names, answering and asking questions in their vocabulary, and reflecting their preferences for being boisterous or reserved, or for communicating with words or actions. I’m here to make each child feel that there is a grown-up who’s just like them in a way!

Activities on offer

I offer events centered around my two books, When You Can Swim (good for Pre-K to Grade 3) and The Words We Share (Grades 3-6). Activities that can be tailored to the age, size, and interests of your group include:

  • Book talk, reading, Q&A

  • Drawing activities (download a sample step-by-step guide here, similar to one of the exercises I share in my author visits!)

  • Workshops about both writing AND illustrating

Learning takeaways

Having been a former art instructor and tutor, one of the themes I focus on is flipping the script on weaknesses into strengths. Through any of the above activities, attendees will:

  • Learn how great stories can be borne of challenges

  • Hear how a lifetime of trying different things led me to become an author/illustrator—and how combining a hodgepodge of identities and experiences can be a plus

  • Understand that you don’t have to be the best at something to do it (or write about it!)

Testimonials

"Jack Wong was such an amazing speaker (not to mention author and illustrator). As a school who values introverts, he did such a good job showing that introverts can do big things in a quiet way. The world needs more gentle, intuitive speakers and authors for today's children. We would have him back in a heartbeat. All the kids connected with him and loved his book!"
— Heather Maxwell (Library Director, Trinity School)

"Jack had an easy way with students and kept them engaged by sharing pieces of his life as a child and by helping students relate to his personal stories and struggles—thus developing a connection with the students. The added bonus of showing students how to draw characters was a huge hit."
— David O'Connell (Head of School, The Saklan School)

"Our students loved spending time with Jack! His storytelling is so authentic and our students particularly enjoyed drawing with him, too! We all learned that we could draw anything if we just put it in water!"
— Annette Sodergren (Library Media Assistant, Walnut Grove Elementary School)

“Jack had a short and strong presentation, and his ease with the kids was great. And of course, his book is a stand out. All around it was a wonderful visit.”
— Joe Corbett (Librarian, New City School)

“Our schools loved Jack’s visit. He did such a great job interacting with the kids.”
— Jenny Chou (School Event Coordinator, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee)

“The schools were especially appreciative of the interactive portion of Jack’s visit.”
— Lorie Barber (Education Director, Anderson’s Bookshop, Chicago)

Bookings

I am currently booking both in-person and virtual events through Authors Out Loud!
To request an in-person or virtual speaking engagement, please contact them here or view my speaking profile.