Bring Kenn Nesbitt to Your School!

Kenn Nesbitt—a full-time children’s poet from Spokane, WA—is author of seven funny poetry books, including The Aliens Have Landed at Our School! and When the Teacher Isn’t Looking, both from Meadowbrook Press. His rib-tickling poetry also appears in seven Meadowbrook Press anthologies and three Scholastic anthologies. Kenn delivers assembly-style programs in which students collaborate to write poems as a group. He also engages students through dazzling performances of his work.

Home: Spokane, WA
Travels to: Kenn travels anywhere he’s invited, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Kenn has written: Revenge of the Lunch Ladies, The Aliens Have Landed At Our School!, When the Teacher Isn’t Looking, Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney, My Foot Fell Asleep (Purple Room Publishing), I've Seen My Kitchen Sink (Purple Room Publishing), and Sailing Off to Singapore (Purple Room Publishing).
Kenn's poems appear in: I Hope I Don't Strike Out!, I've Been Burping in the Classroom, Miles of Smiles, Kids Pick the Funniest Poems, A Bad Case of the Giggles, No More Homework! No More Tests!, Rolling in the Aisles, If Kids Ruled the School, Peter, Peter, Pizza Eater, and I Like it Here at School (Scholastic), My Dog Does My Homework (Scholastic), and If I Ran the School (Scholastic).

Local School Rates

One-Day Visit: $800
Evening Event: $250

Out-of-State Rates

One-Day Visit: $1,500 plus travel and other expenses*
Two-Day Residency: $2,800 plus travel and other expenses
Three-Day Residency: $3,900 plus travel and other expenses
Evening Event: $250 (available only when booked in conjunction with a school visit)

*Half-Day Visits available when one full-day visit is split between two schools in the same area.

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Biography

Kenn Nesbitt is author of seven books of humorous children's poetry, including his most recent collection, When the Teacher Isn’t Looking. His poems have appeared in every book in the acclaimed Kids Pick the Funniest Poems series and in school textbooks around the world. He writes a popular children's poetry web site, and his poems are also consistent winners of the "Read 'Em and Rate 'Em" contest on www.GigglePoetry.com.

Click here to read an interview with Kenn Nesbitt

Event Description

Prepare to discover the wonderfully zany and imaginative poetry of Kenn Nesbitt, author of The Aliens Have Landed at Our School!, one of the funniest collections of children's poetry ever written. Kenn Nesbitt's interactive poetry presentations are engaging, entertaining, and educational—exploring the richness of poetry and the sheer joy of reading and writing.

Each 45-55 minute presentation includes recitations of some of the funniest, most creative poems you've ever heard. There’s plenty of audience participation: a collaborative poetry-writing session, during which students learn to write their own funny poems; and a question-and-answer period, giving students a chance to ask questions of the author and share their thoughts.

Whether in an assembly setting, a writing workshop, or individual classroom presentations, your students will experience firsthand just how much fun language can be with jokes and puns, tongue twisters, funny fables, tall tales, and wacky wordplay—all in playful and accessible rhythm and rhyme.

Presentations are always age-appropriate, with simpler poems and nursery rhymes for younger audiences and more emphasis on the writing process for older students.

Every presentation includes an interactive poetry-writing session. Students work together, guided by the author, to create their own humorous poems. They will experience the creative process in action, learn how to choose a subject, discover how to write a rhyming poem, and find out how to make a poem surprising, fresh, and funny. Students will learn just how much fun writing can be and how to free their imaginations and creativity through poetry.

A typical school visit includes two to three one-hour performances in the morning, followed by a book signing and Q&A session in the afternoon. From the following components, you can design your ideal visit day:

1. Poetry-Writing Assembly Program
2. Poetry Writing Workshop
3. Afternoon Teacher Workshop
4. Evening Presentation for Parents
5. Autographing or Book-Signing Session
6. Classroom Q&A

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Sample Poem

Mrs. DeBuss

Our second-grade teacher, named Mrs. DeBuss,
has never had such a fun classroom as us.
You see, all the students have interesting names
instead of just plain ones, like Sarah or James.

So when she calls roll it is terribly funny;
she calls “Lauren Order” and then “Xavier Money.”
Then “Ben Dare” and “Dawn Datt” and “Isabel Ringing,”
“Amanda B. Reckondwith,” “Ella Fantsinging.”

She call “Cole Doubtside,” “Anna Won,” “Anna Tu,”
“Justin Time,” “Justin Case,” “Ahmal Wright,” “Howard Yu.”
She calls “Noah Liddle” and “Isaiah Lott”
plus “Diane Tumeechu” and “Heywood U. Knott.”

“Claire Skyes” and “Paige Turner” and “Mike Carson-Fire.”
“Jack Hammer,” “Paul Barer,” “Ed Hertz,” and “Barb Dwyer.”
Then “Colin Alcars,” “Moira Less,” and “Les Moore,”
“Sonny Day,” “Sandy Beach,” and then “Robin D. Store.”

© 2001 by Kenn Nesbitt. Reprinted from The Aliens Have Landed at Our School! (Meadowbrook Press).

Testimonials

"Very enjoyable! Kids are excited about poetry!"
—Julie Frederickson, Teacher, Arlington Elementary School, Spokane, WA

"We loved [Kenn Nesbitt] and would highly recommend him to anyone! The kids were enthralled and engaged by him. They are more interested in poetry now!"
—Jill Weir, Teacher, Cabot Middle School North, Cabot, AR

"One week after [Kenn Nesbitt's] visit, staff and students are still talking about him and his poetry. Many grades are now writing poems in class. I am most grateful for his time and talent."
—Laura Perno, Teacher, Robinson Elementary, Hamilton, NJ

"Your presentation was the best we have ever had. The kids and adults enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing with us!” —South Knox Elementary, Vincennes, IN

"Everyone is talking about you! The kids are asking when you will be back. One mother said of her daughter, 'She was laughing so hard that she doubled over and had a stomach ache.' The teachers are all asking when we can arrange for you to visit our school again. You were a HIT!!!"
—Silver Wing Elementary, San Diego, CA

"I wanted to let you know that your November programs at Mason Elementary were outstanding. I told you then how I felt, and the positive comments I'd heard. You said, ‘If they remember or are still enthusiastic in 3 weeks then the positives would be valid.’ Well, guess what? It's been over a month and EVERY DAY, my students ask to read your poems (they read, not me). For those who bought your books at the evening presentation and keep them on their desks, there is a scramble to get to the page being read. It seems that many of the children have them memorized. Thank you, thank you. I am singing your praises to all I meet."
—Mason Elementary, San Diego, CA

"Kenn was outstanding. He kept the students engaged during the entire presentation. Students found themselves learning about poetry and enjoying it. Kenn took some of the 'off-the-wall' comments from students and built on them, redirecting and re-involving them in a very positive manner. He held a large group of second and third graders captivated with his humorous poems and funny actions. He had a magic box that contained costumes and sounds. Kenn engaged the students in creating rhyme on the spot. His attitude, enthusiasm, and excitement were contagious. Kenn has our highest recommendation to any school program. Students and staff alike were entertained and excited. We hope to have him back!"
—Cusick School, Cusick, WA

"We highly recommend Kenn to any school wishing to enhance students' exposure to and appreciation of the art of poetry."
—Roosevelt Elementary, Spokane, WA

"I laughed so hard my cheeks and sides were sore."
—Staci Bufkin, Montessori Elementary K-5 teacher, Louisville, KY

"I have never seen my students so excited and pleased with an assignment as when they took turns reading Mr. Nesbitt's poems out loud. They were totally delighted."
—Charles Huff, sixth-grade language arts teacher, Fort Gibson, OK

"My second graders love Kenn Nesbitt's poetry! They can't wait for me to read more. He has thrilled my small audience and their teacher!"
—Christy Connor, second-grade teacher, Marion, IN

"I was so pleased with the reaction of our students. Poetry was in the air all week and their enthusiasm was contagious. I think it is rare to be able to create such excitement from kindergarten through sixth grade and receive unanimous approval from the adults as well!"
—St. George's School, Spokane, WA

"It is very easy to recommend Kenn Nesbitt as a presenter to students.… Kenn has poise and confidence and an enthusiasm for his work that draws students' attention."
—Ferris High School, Spokane, WA

"Kenn is enthusiastic about writing and sharing. We feel confident your school will enjoy the opportunity to listen to his presentation."
—Kettle Falls Middle School, Kettle Falls, WA

"If you have a chance to have Kenn Nesbitt visit your school, I would encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity."
—Lapwai Junior-Senior High School, Lapwai, ID

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If you’re interested in booking an event with Kenn Nesbitt, please fill out the Author Visit Query form or contact our Author Appearance Manager at 800-338-2232, ext. 105, or admin@authorsinschools.com. We look forward to working with you.