Events
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10 am – 3 pm Carol will be at the Poughkeepsie Children’s Book Festival
Dutchess Community College, Falcon Hall
Sunday, November 16th, 2025, 11 am to 3 pm Carol will be at the The Newton Children’s Book Festival New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA 02465
Saturday November 8th from 10 am -12 pm - Carol will be at the local author fair at Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main Street, Andover, MA 01810
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.
Zoom 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.