School Visits

Jennifer with second grade studants at Lone Mountain Elementary

Now scheduling Illinois school visits for fall 2024!

Visits are best suited for students in grades 1-5 and include a chapter reading, Q & A session, and a super-exciting twisted fairy tale activity! (Complete with a chance to see your school’s fairy tale brought to life in Book Three: The Riddle of the Fairy Tale Village!)

Best of all, visits are absolutely free and include an opportunity for your students to pre-order books at a special student price (no minimum order necessary, but schools with a minimum order of 25 books will receive TWO free copies for their library!).

But first, a little more about me…

  • I was born and raised in Illinois.
  • I attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Music and Language Arts.
  • I taught music in grades K-8 before staying home with my daughter, Emma.
  • I co-authored and was awarded a district-wide grant for materials to teach phonics and literature through music.
  • You will often find me in the children’s book section of any local bookstore.
  • I love baking pinkerdoodles. And eating them.

What Educators Are Saying :

"Jennifer recently visited our school. Her presentation was wonderful and the kids were SO engaged! We can't wait for her to return and for her second book to be released!"
-Rachel SavageDimmick School
"Jennifer came and visited our school out in Cave Creek, AZ. It was her first author visit. She was able to talk with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. The kids absolutely loved her and the activities she did with them. She showed them how she comes up with characters. They were even able to come up with a character that might be a part of her next book. Outstanding! 5 STARS!!"
-Tiffani SimmonsCave Creek Elementary
"Jennifer visited our school to engage with students in grades 2nd through 4th, and their enthusiastic response was overwhelming! Each child was highly engaged during her read aloud session and activities. Jennifer's book captivated them and left them inspired. We're eagerly anticipating the release of her second book so she can visit us again!"
-Alexandra DoyleDimmick School
We hosted Jennifer Hayes, author of The Extraordinary Imagination of Jenny Figment, at our schools. It was a joy to see the students seeing themselves in her and they left feeling like a future in writing is possible. She was interactive and engaging, and the students are eagerly waiting for the next book! Her video promo for the book hooked them from the start (they hope it will be made into a movie!). I highly recommend her to any elementary school!
Dr. Sarah MummDirector of Educational Service, Kaneland Schools
Author Jennifer Hayes recently visited 3rd-5th graders at Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy. She was truly amazing! She actively engaged the students in creating book characters, and showed incredible enthusiasm and respect for their extraordinary imaginations! In over 20 years of education, this was truly one of the BEST, most interactive author visits I have attended! Run, don't walk, to book Jennifer!
Laura GarlandIgKnight Personalized Learning Academy Principal
Jennifer Hayes is an engaging and fun author! Definitely have her come and present! She knows how to speak to children in a fun and exciting way. Her passion for writing shines through! Thank you, Jennifer, for a great visit!
Christina SarnoInnovation Media Specialist, Elsie Johnson Elementary School
I am a librarian at McDole Elementary in Montgomery, IL and we have had the privelege of having Jennifer visit our school with both her debut book last winter, and this past week for her newest release in her Jenny Figment series, Andy's Space Friends!!!! Round 2 was just as "extraordinary" as last year's visit! Not only does Jennifer give us a glimpse into the books she has written, but her presentations are an interactive experience for our students as they collaborate to be a part of the creative process that takes place for Jennifer to write with such imagination!! Also, during her most recent visit, she recognized some of our teacher nominated students through her "Extraordinary Kids Campaign," and they received a signed copy of her book and a certificate for their kindness!!!! It's definitely an "extraordinary day" to be a McDole Knight when Jennifer Hayes is in the building for an author visit! We can only hope that she will return to us when she releases book #3!!
Dorcey BartholomewLibrarian, McDole Elementary School

Reach out with any questions or to schedule your visit today!

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