School & library author visits

An inspiring author visit your students won’t forget.

Invite local Cincinnati children’s author Elizabeth James to take students behind the scenes of creating Pippa Potter, President’s Daughter—from the first idea to the finished illustrations.

Students get a close-up look at how an idea becomes a finished book, with opportunities to ask questions about writing, illustrating, Pippa, and the White House.

Ask about a visit Explore the presentation

Elizabeth James with a large group of elementary students after an author presentation

Grades K–6content and pacing adapted for elementary audiences

20+ yearsof professional experience in the publishing industry

800+ studentsreached during a previous school visit

Meet Elizabeth James

The writer and illustrator behind a groundbreaking mental-health book for kids

Elizabeth James is the Cincinnati-area author and illustrator behind the Pippa Potter, President’s Daughter series. Inspired by her daughter’s childhood struggle with anxiety, Elizabeth shows students how a story can not only entertain, but also educate and give readers practical tools for challenges in their own lives.

As both the author and illustrator of the book, Elizabeth gives students an inspiring, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the entire creative process of making a book—from crafting the story to bringing the illustrations to life.

Elizabeth James, author and illustrator of Pippa Potter, President’s Daughter

Featured presentation

Behind the Book

A lively, visual journey through writing and illustrating Pippa Potter, President’s Daughter.

Designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, Behind the Book combines personal storytelling, book-making demonstrations, mental-health education, White House discoveries, and an encouraging message about creativity and perseverance.

Students discover:

How Elizabeth’s background as a writer helped prepare her to create a children’s book
Why her daughter’s experience with childhood anxiety inspired Pippa’s story
How writers learn what makes a story interesting, relatable, and fun for young readers
How proven anxiety-management tools were woven naturally into the story
How research and surprising White House facts helped build Pippa’s world
How a manuscript becomes a visual story through planning, sketching, tracing, revising, and finishing illustrations
Why mistakes, revisions, and persistence are essential parts of creative work

In their own words

Inspiring the next generation of creators

After a recent author visit, students shared how the presentation inspired them to keep going, keep creating, and believe in their own ideas:

A student's drawing of red hearts and a smiling face

A student's drawing of the White House and American flag

A student's drawings of a smiling character and other imagined characters

Excerpts are shared anonymously; student artwork is shown without identifying information.

Plan a visit

Ready to bring Elizabeth to your organization?

Get in touch for availability, discounted rates, and more information. Share a few details about your school, library, or event, and Elizabeth can help determine the best presentation plan for your audience.

Serving the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.
Discounted rates are available for schools, libraries, and speaking events in and around both metro areas.