Author Visits with Dr. Jessica DeLisa
Bring the Joy of Reading, Creativity, and Being Different to Your School
Instead of following a storyline, the book invites readers to follow directions that lead them through a
completely unexpected reading experience.
As students read, they are asked to:
-
turn the book upside down
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close the book and reopen it from the back
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flip pages in surprising ways
Along the journey, readers discover that the book itself is designed differently — and that’s the point.
The experience reinforces the book’s central message: "It is fun to be different."
By the time students reach the end, they realize something surprising: the “end” of the book is actually found in the middle. This playful and interactive format makes reading exciting while opening the door for meaningful conversations about appreciating differences.
Author Visits with Jessica DeLisa
An Interactive Reading Experience
Jessica DeLisa brings her children’s book A Different Book to life through interactive author visits designed for students in Pre-K through 6th grade.Unlike traditional read-alouds, this book turns reading into a participatory experience. Students actively follow directions throughout the book, which leads them to flip, rotate, and reopen the book in unexpected ways.The result is a reading experience that is fun, surprising, and memorable for students.
What Students Experience During a Visit.
During the visit, students will:
• participate in an interactive reading of A Different Book
• follow the book’s surprising directions together
• discuss why being different makes people and communities stronger
• reflect on the ways everyone has something unique to contribute
These conversations help students see that differences are not something to hide — they are something to celebrate.
Perfect for Week of Respect
Many schools invite Jessica to present during Week of Respect and other character education initiatives. The message of A Different Book naturally supports conversations about:
• kindness
• empathy
• inclusion
• appreciating differences in others
Visit Options
Author visits can be customized to fit your school’s needs.
Options may include:
• classroom read-aloud sessions
• grade-level presentations
• school-wide assemblies
• discussions connected to character education programs
A Memorable Reading Experience
Because A Different Book breaks the traditional rules of reading, students leave the experience with something they don’t often get from a book: a sense of surprise, curiosity, and the reminder that being different can be fun.
Invite Jessica to Your School
Jessica works with schools to create engaging author visits that inspire students to celebrate what makes each person unique.