Single Presentation Session
Session Size: up to 50 students
Cost: $125
Half Day of 3 Sessions
Session Size: up to 50 students
Cost: $250
Full Day of 4-6 Sessions
Session Size: up to 50 students
Cost: $425
Book Themes
"Annie's 4th of July" focuses on these five themes that can be discussed further with Jeanne during author visits!
01
Expectations
Things don’t always go the way you think they will & you have to adjust!
03
Helping Others
Helping others can be FUN!
05
Patriotism
02
Bravery
Be Brave! Face your fears one step at a time like Annie does in this story.
04
Growth Mindset
Annie wasn't brave... YET!
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Veteran's Day
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Martin Luther King Day
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Inauguration Day (this year)
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President's Day (Lincoln & Washington)
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Memorial Day
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Flag Day
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4th of July.
Book Themes
"Grandma's Mystery Surprise Box" focuses on these five themes that can be discussed further with Jeanne during author visits!
01
Family Distance
Family connection across distance: even when loved ones are far away, families can find creative ways to stay close.
03
Perseverance in Hard Times
Great Grandpa and his brother survived the Dust Bowl through creativity, resilience, and trying new things.
02
Imagination & Play
The mystery boxes make history feel like a game, showing that learning can be fun!
04
The Power of Storytelling
Family stories connect generations and keep history alive.
05
Hope & Surprise
Just when things looked hopeless, an unexpected opportunity saved the day.
Writing Lessons
An alternative to having Jeanne read one of her stories to your students is to have her teach a lesson on an aspect of the writing process. This option is usually more appropriate for 3rd - 6th grade students. 40 - 45 minute sessions are necessary for the writing lessons.
This option is also great for your Title I Parent Involvement Program. Families could have fun writing a mini-book about their own family's story.
Mrs. Christin Haag
"As a 1st grade teacher, listening to Mrs. Svobodny read "Annie's 4th of July" to my students and the rest of our school was amazing! She makes the book come alive as she is reading it. My students were engaged throughout the entire book and couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen next!
This book is a great book for all ages to enjoy. Students would be missing out if they were not able to hear Mrs. Svobodny read her book to them and relive her childhood celebration!
Mrs. Svobodny's set-up and presentation makes you think you are there celebrating the 4th of July with her as a child!"
Mrs. McNallan
"My preschool class had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Jeanne Dill Svobodny read her book Annie’s 4th of July. My students were engaged throught he very organized presentation. They were delighted by the colorful illustrations and talked about the story days later. Dr. Svobodny interacted with my students on their level and made her story come alive for them."
Mrs. Sandy McElhinney
"Our school, Morning Sun Elementary, was honored to have Jeanne Svobodny visit us May of 2024. She presented and read her story “Annie’s 4th of July” to grades K-6th and preschool. Jeanne is a wonderful presenter who engaged all the children and was able to adapt to the different ages and abilities of the students. You will not be disappointed with Jeanne's presentation and wonderful story!"
Nancy Martin
Jeanne was a delight for our Danville Library audience. She read her book, "Annie's 4th of July" with such heartfelt enthusiasm! The message of the book is a classic lesson for children of all ages, 'face your fears safely'.
Sarah Rutt
"Jeanne Svobodny's presentation at our Title 1 Parent Engagement Evening was loved by both parents and children alike. The children were actively engaged with their parent(s) while creating their own mini book. Having a real author read her own book to the children proved to them that they could also become authors if they chose to do so."
Eric Aeschlimann
Jeanne came to our K-6 building and gave a presentation to our K, 1st, and 2nd grade students about her process in writing her best selling book, Annie's 4th of July. The students related to our town's festivals and were engaged. Jeanne also shared her process and book at our Title One Parent Engagement Night later that evening. At this event, she directed students and their families through their own writing process, allowing them to think about a problem and how to solve it in writing their own stories. Each student left with their own book! Parents were thrilled and both were engaged together in the learning process. It was so fun to see. Jeanne's flexibility to share her book with our students and our families made her visit especially meaningful to our community. She is warm, genuine, and full of energy that is contagious."
Farial English
"Grandma's Mystery Surprise Box is a book that can be read again and again. Based on a true story, the central theme of valuing and cherishing family relationships comes through clearly. I'm looking forward to reading this book with my grandkids!"
Laura Strachan
"Loved this beautiful solution to keep grandchildren's fun alive while they live apart! Loved all the fun surprises using all the senses! It was such a fun, entertaining story with endearing family facts woven into this story of Grandma's wonderful surprise mystery box!"
Beth McKay
"Grandma's Mystery Surprise Box is an excellent springboard for elementary classroom discussions as it is interactive, rooted in history and highlights resilience, imagination, and family love."