School & Library Author Visits
Bring Stories to Life with Janis Hennessey!
What happens when a children's author visits your school or library? The stories come to life, imaginations get to work, and young readers become part of the adventure!
I'm Janis Hennessey, a New Hampshire children's author and former French educator. I offer complimentary, interactive author visits for elementary schools and public libraries throughout the Dover, NH area and surrounding communities.
Together, we'll read, ask questions, learn a little French, or even create a story of our own. Every visit is an opportunity to encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love of reading.
Ages 5–12 | Approximately 45 Minutes
Up to 30 Children | Free of Charge
Three Ways I Engage Young Readers
Interactive Storytime
Read a story. Ask questions. Get thinking!
What are the characters doing? Why did they make that choice? What might happen next?
During an interactive read-aloud, I:
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Share one of my 22 children's books
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Encourage children to think about the characters, their actions, and the events of the story
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Ensure children become active participants, sharing observations, answering questions, and considering how the story unfolds.
Great for: Elementary school read-alouds, children's library storytimes, reading comprehension, and literacy enrichment.
French Through Storytelling
Bonjour! Let's learn a little French.
Who knew you could learn another language while listening to a story?
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Using approximately 10 recurring words from one of my books, I introduce children to simple French vocabulary, such as dog, cat, run, eat, and sleep.
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As I read, the children say the French word whenever they hear its English counterpart.
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By the end of the story, they'll have practiced new vocabulary and can even begin putting words together into simple sentences.
No French experience necessary. Just bring your listening ears and a willingness to give it a try!
Great for: Introductory world-language activities, French vocabulary enrichment, elementary classrooms, and children's library programming.
Creating a Story Together
Every great story starts somewhere!
Have you ever wondered how an author comes up with a story? Here's your chance to find out!
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I introduce children to the basic building blocks of storytelling, then guide them through creating a story of their own.
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The children choose the characters and actions, contribute ideas, and help decide how their story unfolds.
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An adult records their contributions on a large pad of paper so everyone can watch the story take shape.
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When we're finished, we can read their creation together!
I've even done this activity with kindergarteners. You don't have to be a grown-up to be a storyteller!
Great for: Creative writing enrichment, story structure, imagination, collaborative learning, and elementary literacy programs.
Meet Your Visiting Author
Bonjour, my name is Janis Hennessey! I've spent much of my life helping young people discover the joys of language, literature, and learning. Before becoming a children's author, I taught French for decades in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, including 16 years at Dover High School. With a master's degree in French Literature and studies at La Sorbonne in Paris, I've had the pleasure of introducing generations of students to French language and culture. Today, I'm the author of more than 20 children's books across three series, bringing my love of teaching and storytelling together to encourage young readers to think, imagine, and create!
FAQs
Let's Make Some Stories Together!
Keep The Stories Flowing!
Watch children's stories and learn French vocabulary through my video series created in partnership with the Franco-American Centre of New Hampshire.
Looking for a creative activity to go along with reading? Download free printable coloring pages inspired by my children's books.
Meet Max and Colby, follow everyday adventures in The "Why Did?" Series, or solve mysteries with Darcy, Delilah, and DJ in The 3Ds Mysteries.