“She was perfect! Wonderful! Kids had a great time! You did a great job with having to go virtual, and not only did the students enjoy it, but it was also a good learning experience for them!”
- Eastland Elementary School, Shannon, IL

“That was so fantastic. You were wonderful with the students.”
- Jamie Lath, Librarian, Christian Academy in Japan

"Thank you so much for visiting our school, sparking our imaginations and helping us to be story detectives! I am overjoyed that you chose to spend some of your time at our little school. We truly feel like we won the author visit lottery! You are so engaging and delightful!"    - Leslie Massow, Prairie School of DuPage 

"Alice McGinty is a warm, inviting author whose presentations are interactive, entertaining, and informative.  She incorporates movement and fun along with reading and writing tips.  She has written a variety of books with something to please everyone.  Her gracious and welcoming manner will make not disappoint any audience.  Do not hesitate to have Alice McGinty come to your school!  - Karen Roth, Librarian, Lincoln School, Ottawa, IL 

“Alice is one of the best presenters I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Audiences always come away with interesting ideas and fresh perspectives. - Ruth Siburt, Library/Computer specialist, Decatur, IL

“Alice B. McGinty wields her guitar as equally well as her pen. The students loved the participation with the story Ten Little Lambs. After hearing the tale of the writing process and the numerous turn downs of her manuscripts, students understood that many times success is not always an easy thing to achieve. Being able to read Alice’s books and actually meet the author is a great literature activity our students thoroughly enjoyed.” - Diane Gustafson, Iroquois West Elementary, Gilman, IL

“Students are entranced as Alice shares her experience as a writer.”- Pam Green, Teacher, Urbana, IL

Alice has collaborated with many local organizations to develop innovative school programming, and has experience in successfully obtaining grant money.

As well as doing traditional author visits, assemblies, and keynotes, Alice’s school workshops include:

How Life Inspires Stories

In person or virtual program – How do authors take real life events and turn them into books? In this assembly, Alice will show students how to become “Story Detectives” using examples of how she’s taken ideas from her life and developed them into books, and how students can create stories from events in their own lives. Participants will develop their own group story and share several of Alice’s books interactively using music and hand motions. (Gr. K-5 assembly – content will be adapted to fit age range of audience)

What’s So Funny

In person or virtual program – Focusing on Bathe the Cat (Chronicle, 2021), from outrageous characters and silly situations to pure nonsense, we’ll explore humor in writing and practice the skills you need to make your writing funny.
(Gr. 3-5, workshop or assembly)

Catch The Rhythm

In person only - Using poetry, spoken language, books, and song, participants will catch the rhythm of language. We’ll write it, draw it, move it, clap it, sing it and drum it!
(Gr. K-3, wkshop or assembly) (IL Goals 25.A.1c, 26.A.1d, 8.A.1a)

A Story for Small Bear
(Pre-K - Grade 1)

In person or virtual program – Join Alice McGinty as she reads A Story for Small Bear (Small Bear puppet helps!), sings the interactive Small Bear song, and teaches participants a special “finishing song,” so they can help Small Bear puppet transition from one activity to the next without dillies or dallies.

A No-dilly, No-dally, No Nagging, No Tantrum Bedtime – In an additional discussion with parents and teachers, Alice shares Mama Bear’s Tips for Bedtime including the magic formula for motivation. She’ll also discuss tips for helping children transition from one activity to the next. 

Dig Deep Explorers (with The Sea Knows co-author, Alan Havis)
(Pre-K - Grade 2)

In person or virtual program – Help young explorers learn to observe the natural world (even their own backyards) by starting with what they know and then asking questions which will help them reach wide and dig deep. This energetic program includes an interactive reading of The Sea Knows, activities, music, and more!

Writing Scenes
(Grades 6-12, content adapted to fit age)

In person or virtual program – Author Alice B. McGinty will help students bring their writing to life by teaching the elements of writing in scenes, including sensory detail, active verbs, and understanding show/don’t tell. In this interactive workshop, Alice will use examples from her books, games, and prompts to get students excited about writing!

Pop Goes The Button 

In this program for Jewish Day Schools and Synagogues, Alice  brings her book Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons to life with an interactive reading, along with props. This engaging, energetic program includes singing Pop, Goes the Button!,  along with other group activities to encourage mitzvot and community.  (Grades K - 5, and family programs).

Alice is happy to provide programming for any religious group focusing on community building and charity. 

A Kindergarten Surprise

In this hands-on workshop, the author reads her books, Eliza’s Kindergarten Surprise and Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet.  Students make a large “Mommy doll” during the assembly and classes will be given supplies for each student to make a Mommy doll later in the classroom.
(Gr. K) (IL Goals 2.B.1a, 2.B.1c, 26.B.1d)

Thank You, World – A Family Story Making Assembly

Hooray for books and stories! This energetic program introduces families to Alice and her books. Using multimedia and group activity, we read several of Alice’s books, talk about story making, and put families to work together making stories. We’ll sing songs, hear stories, create stories, and end by reading Thank you, World and making a school Thank you, World souvenir.
(Family Nights, Assemblies, and workshop for Gr. K-5)

The Stories Behind the Stories

Alice shares the stories behind her books, both fiction and nonfiction, and discusses the process of writing and publishing books.
(Middle and High School, workshop or Assembly)
(IL Goals 2.A.3c, 2.A.4c, 27.A.3a)

Writing Historic Tales with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s Museum of the Grand Prairie

This program is done in conjunction with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s Museum of the Grand Prairie. Students learn the art of writing historical fiction tales using artifacts from the museum. Sign up for this program through the Museum of the Grand Prairie. (http://www.museumofthegrandprairie.org/)

“Alice McGinty is an exceptional presenter. Whether the child is in preschool or high school,
Alice can hold the audience wit her enthusiasm and quick moving presentations. You won’t be
disappointed!” – Diana McGuckin, teacher at Flanagan Grade School

“Alice is incredible, well-informed, and confident, an encouraging instructor who engaged everyone.”
- Class participant