Ways I can help
Every school is different, so tell me what would help yours most.
A class visit
Twenty to forty minutes with one class or a whole grade: who Lincoln (or Franklin, or Twain) was, a few of their best lines, and lots of time for questions.
Books for the library
Signed copies of my quote books for your school library, and a coloring book or two for the youngest readers.
How a book gets made
From idea to cover: how I find quotes, check that they’re real, and what an editor does. Great for a writing unit or an older class.
Family night or reading day
A short talk for a Read Across America day, a Presidents’ Day assembly, or a family night built around 52 Questions for Families.
What a visit looks like
Pick a grade and I’ll show you the plan.
- 5 minHello from an authorWhat does an author do all day? (Spoiler: a lot of reading.)
- 10 minMeet Abe LincolnThe tall president with the tall hat, who taught himself to read with borrowed books.
- 5 minSay it togetherWe learn one short quote by heart, like “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
- 10 minQuestions!Anything goes. The best questions always come from this age.
- 5 minHello from an authorHow I went from Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia to writing books.
- 10 minBig people, short sentencesLincoln, Franklin and Twain, and why a single line can last two hundred years.
- 10 minQuote detectiveReal or fake? Kids guess which famous “quotes” were actually said — and learn how to check.
- 10 minQuestionsAbout books, writing, history, or anything else they’re curious about.
- 5 minAn author’s pathPeace Corps, a master’s degree, and thirteen books along the way.
- 15 minHow a book gets madeProposals, publishers, editors, covers — and the part nobody sees: checking every source.
- 10 minWords that lastedWhat Lincoln, Franklin and Twain can teach us about writing clearly.
- 15 minOpen Q&AWriting, publishing, careers, and what I wish I’d known at their age.
Just a starting point — I’m happy to fit your schedule and what your class is studying.
Books I bring along
Every quote in these books is also free to browse online, so the conversation can keep going in class.
Abraham Lincoln Book of Quotes
Benjamin Franklin Book of Quotes
Mark Twain Book of Quotes
Leonardo da Vinci Book of Quotes
My Day with the Dalai Lama a coloring book
52 Questions for FamiliesInvite me to your school
Fill in the slip and it turns into an email to me — no forms, no accounts.
Rather just write? Email me at travishellstrom@gmail.com.
Questions teachers ask
Is there a fee?
Not for schools and libraries within about 30 minutes of Harrisonburg, Virginia — those visits I do as a volunteer, because they’re one of my favorite things to do, and the books I leave for the library are a gift. Farther away, there’s a fee to cover the travel and time; send me a slip and I’ll tell you what it would be.
What do you need from us?
A room, a time, and curious kids. A screen is nice for pictures of Lincoln’s hat, but not required.
Can you visit online?
Yes. Wherever you are, we can do a visit over video — just ask.
Can students keep exploring after?
Yes — every quote from the Lincoln, Franklin, Twain, Gandhi and Dalai Lama books is free to browse on this site, sorted by theme, and there’s a library of great speeches and great letters for older students.
Follow along
One essay a week, every Saturday morning.
See all my books.