Events
October 7, 2023, from 11 AM to 4 PM Carol will be at the Warwick Children's Book Festival at Stanley-Deming Park in Warwick NY.
September 30, 2023 - Chappaqua Children's Book Festival 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
July 12 2023 - 2:30 p.m. - Carol will be at the Peobody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St.,
Danvers, MA She'll do a reading of SOME DADDIES and TRUCKER KID and there will even be some horn honking and a couple of trucks for the kids to play on, along with some craft activities, and signed books for sale. Come join the fun!
June 24, 2023 -1-4 PM - Carol will be at the Woburn Public Library’s second annual Local Author Book Fair. Come by to chat with and purchase books from authors. (outside under a tent, or inside in case of weather) 45 Pleasant St, Woburn, MA
April 1, 2023 - Poughkeepsie Book Festival, Poughkeepsie, NY 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
January 28, 2023 - Story time with Kirsti Call at lala books, Lowell, MA 2 p.m.
School Visits
I am a retired fourth grade teacher with 35 years experience. I have my Masters’ degree in reading and language, and have been a published author since 2008. I do an interactive presentation for one classroom or an assembly, talking about writing and tips for improving a student’s writing, the writing process, revision, being an author, etc., including many points I know are important for elementary students to hear. Writing, reading, and language standards will be touched on during this program.
Grades 3-5: 60 minutes, with time for Q and A.
Grades K-2: 30-45 minutes, with time for Q and A.
Fees:
Please contact me for availability and rates. Let me know if you are local or out of state. A basic school visit includes three presentations per day and a book signing if possible. We can negotiate a fee to go back into individual classrooms to work on writing with the students on a different day.
For schools more than 50 miles from Andover, MA a moderate flat fee (to be discussed) will be added for mileage, meals, and lodging if needed.
Skype visits are also available if an in-person visit is not possible. Contact cekster@aol.com to discuss author visits further.
Carol is also available to present the workshop - "Using Picture Books to Enhance Curriculum for Elementary Students," at faculty meetings, workshops, or conferences.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Some Daddies was a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards 2022 in the Northeast Region.
You Know What? was a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards 2018 in the Northeast Region.
You Know What? received a literary award: CLEL (Colorodo Library Early Literacy) Bell Picture Book Awards Nominee for Talk (2018)
Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You, Pauline Books and Media, 2015 went into its fourth printing!! It received 3rd place for the Catholic Press Association's Book Awards 2016, and was a finalist for ACP's Excellence in Publishing Awards 2016.
Children's Literary Classics selected Ruth the Sleuth and The Messy Room to receive the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.