Author Visits
Inspire CreativityHillary Dow, Maine fiber artist, author, illustrator
Some of the fondest memories I have from childhood include the occasions we had guests visit our school to present their personal stories and special gifts during a school assembly. I recall them so vividly. Fast forward to my own author journey, and I am humbly honored to have a story and gifts to share with others.
Pictured here are the illustrator showcase I display at all of my author visits and a lovely note from the Pre-K classes in Newburgh. What a delight it was to receive this thoughtful note from the kids!
Book a Maine Author Visit
Book Reading & Felting Demo
Gather together for a book reading and simple felting demo. Learn about the fiber art magic that makes Hillary’s books so special.
Book Reading & Felting Lesson
Gather for a book reading and felting demo and then treat a small group to a hands on felting class with author and illustrator Hillary Dow.
We work together to schedule your event, and choose the best format and content for your audience. Read on to learn more, contact Hillary, and book your author visit today.
Kingfield Elementary School
2023 Author Visit
This visit was notably special, this was the very classroom where I spent 4th grade. What an honor!
Plan an Author Visit Experience of a Lifetime
Hillary will travel to your location for an event that will inspire and excite, entertain and ignite. We work together to schedule your event and choose the best format for your audience.
Pricing for author visits is determined by the format of the visit (ember, spark, ignite—please see the table above for more details), plus a travel fee based on the location of the host. Hillary is located in Hampden, Maine. Pricing for travel within Maine is based on a distance grid of three zones.
Author Visits in Maine
Ember Visit
60 minutesAuthor Reading with Q&A and Felting Demonstration
- pre-event planning
- 60 minute live event at your location
- author introduction
- book reading
- brief needle felting demonstration
- illustrators showcase
- Q&A
- 1 free signed, limited edition paperback copy of Fairy Spells and Strawberry Elves to be used as an event giveaway. Additional books are sold separately.
- *Pricing varies based on location. Please see the Maine map broken down into three zones.
Spark Visit
Up to 3 HoursAuthor Reading with Q&A and Felting Demonstration
- pre-event planning
- up to 3 hours at your location, an option perfect for whole school visits where we break the time up into groups (usually by grade)
- author introduction
- illustrators showcase
- book reading
- Q&A
- felting Demonstration
- 2 free signed, limited edition paperback copies of Fairy Spells and Strawberry Elves to be used as event giveaways. Additional copies may be purchased separately.
- *Pricing varies based on location. Please see the Maine map broken down into three zones.
Ignite Visit
Up to 3 hoursBook Reading, Q&A, Felting Demo & Beginners Felting Class
- pre-event planning
- Up to 3 hour event at your location
- author introduction
- book reading
- illustrators showcase
- Q&A
- needle felting demonstration
- Felt Bookmark step by step needle felting class for beginners
- Felt ing kits for class attendees (starts at 10 kits)
- 5 complimentary signed, limited edition paperback copies of Fairy Spells and Strawberry Elves to be used as event giveaways. Additional books may be purchased separately.
- *Pricing varies based on location. Please see the Maine map broken down into three zones.
Additional children’s books and needle felting kits are sold separately. If you would like to book an author visit beyond the borders of Maine, please contact Hillary to discuss details.
During a family trip to Florida, we had the privilege of visiting my mother-in-law’s classroom at Peace River Elementary School in Port Charlotte. All four of us had a blast and it was so special to share the special classroom time with my family.
Author Visits Positively Impact Literacy
A survey on author visits* revealed some amazing statistics:
91% of those who responded said author visits “motivate[d] students to read more”
74% felt visits inspired “creativity and expression”
68% believed visits “motivate[d] students to write more”
The UK’s National Literacy Trust reported in June 2019 that students who had authors visit their schools:
Were twice as likely to read above the expected level for their age (31% vs 17%)
Were more likely to enjoy reading (68% vs 47%) and writing (44% vs 32%)
Were more likely to be highly confident in their reading (37% vs 25%) and writing (22% vs 17%)
* 2014 Author Visit Survey by Alexis O’Neill. Over 600 respondents in thirty-nine states and eight countries.
We just read it for the first time and it’s just incredible. They loved it.
The artwork is magnificent. If she makes another book, please buy us the first one!
Meet Hillary Dow
Hi, my name is Hillary Dow. I am the author, illustrator, and founder of Binding Tales. My books are illustrated with my wool creations. The woodland fairyland of Lichendia® is being brought to life by transforming the wool of sheep happily raised on Maine farms into needle felted works of art. With stories inspired by imaginative adventures in our home state of Maine, and drawing on talents throughout our creative economy, we’re bringing Lichendia® from farm to bookshelf. It is such a thrill and honor to inspire imagination and creativity in others. I look forward to connecting and sharing this creative journey with you!
Book an Author Visit
Contact Maine Author Hillary Dow Today