Sam Wedelich is an author/illustrator and is serious about making funny books! (She loves how good comedy jumbles our assumptions, and reminds us that life is both beautiful and complex… all while making us roll around the floor laughing!)

Her newest picture book, The Buddy System, is about sticking together (and sticking up for one another) on a class trip gone whimsically awry. She also wrote and illustrated A Quick Trip to the Store, which Kirkus Reviews calls “irresistible fun,” and created the popular and award-winning Real and Totally True Chicken Little series, a trio of fractured-folktale comedies.

Sam grew up in Texas, the daughter of a mechanic/pilot (dad) and a German-immigrant entrepreneur/interior designer (mom). She credits her public speaking abilities to her mother’s epic story-telling skills, and many years of high school debate team.

She lives in Nyack, NY with her family. Her favorite part of being a grown up is eating dessert before a meal. Just kidding, she’d never do that. Or would she?

SCHOOL VISIT PRESENTATIONS – 45min in length

How I Got the Skills to Do this Job by Accident! AKA: Boredom is your Superpower

Short slideshow about growing up in the olden-times (1980s) and how it connects to what Sam does today. Then Sam connects the dots to kids today and how they can discover their unique passions/ideas/skills that will serve them on their own life journey!

Pay Attention? Or Attention Pays?

A talk about the attention economy in terms that all kids understand, then connecting it to the ways that artists, writers, and illustrators use their attention skills to notice and make art and that ALL humans have these abilities and benefit from practicing them, whether they turn it into a job or not. Students leave excited, engaged, and empowered to notice what gets their attention!

The Buddy System

A talk about class trip expectations, working with people you wouldn’t choose, why funny books work, and how unexpected connections can change your life. Oh, and kazoos. Includes behind the scenes on creation of the book, ideas that didn’t work, etc.

ADULT PRESENTATIONS – 45-60min in length

The Case for Reading PBs aloud through 5th Grade: 5 minutes that will change your classroom community

Sam discusses the value of picture books in upper primary and secondary grades by using story study and connection to reinforce a love of reading and engage young thinkers.

Laughter Really is the Best Medicine: A Plea for Embracing Funny Books

Sam discusses the value and often overlooked role funny books play in engaging readers and building foundations for a lifelong love of reading.

The Power of Story

Autobiographical inspirational talk about Sam’s author/illustrator journey and why telling our stories matters. Why all voices matter! And how we show up for one another in community.

Testimonials

“Sam was absolutely incredible and our students and their parents have not stopped talking about her visit since last week. It is truly going to be a highlight of our school year.” – Chris Paradiso, Librarian, Madison NJ Schools

“I loved the format of the presentation. It was so engaging. Students were exposed to so many of Sam’s talents as an author, illustrator, storyteller, and musician. I feel like Sam captured their attention and they could all relate to her in one way or another. A+ visit.” -Patricia Daly, Dumont NJ schools

“Sam exceeded our expectations! The students were engaged, joyful, and talking about her after their visit so much, that more teachers started showing up. The adults watching Sam were impressed, requesting copies of the book for their classroom, and everyone is still talking about it today (the next day). 10 out of 10! Sam rocked it!” -Gina Mahon, Librarian, Horace Mann Lower School, Bronx, NY

Website

Availability and Honorariums