Visits

I am offering both In-Person and Virtual School Visits for the 2024-2025 school year, as well as Community Events. Please email me at mcleffler@aol.com or call 207-245-2332 to discuss.

MY VISITS

My school visit presentation is based on my most recent books and is geared towards Grades K-8. I tailor my presentation to my audience. (Please see my featured booklist on right.) My presentation encompasses many literacy/writing concepts. My topics of inclusion, diversity and perseverance will have lasting effects well after the presentation has concluded. I end with a Q&A session and draw for the younger kids.

Disability Awareness presentations

I have been a disability rights advocate since my daughter, Janine Leffler, was born with cerebral palsy (CP) in 1985. I offer presentations to Schools, Educator/Community/Corporate Professional Development and Book Talks. I focus on the History of Disability Rights  & inclusion through the three books, listed below. (Janine will join me when possible.)

—Fighting For YES! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann

—We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights (co-authored with Janine Leffler)

—Janine (Picture book inspired by Janine)

PRINT MY VISIT FLYER PDF TO SHARE

Maine Humanities Council -Fighting for Yes! INTERVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UdiFp_GUxU

A Book video highlight of We Want to Go To School! created by Booksource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwGsd2T0Q3w

FEES

For School In-Person Visits: (2024-25) $1200.00 per day - Maximum of three- 50 minute sessions

For local (Portland, Maine area) schools, I am willing to discuss half days. Schools in New England which are over 1 hour commute from Portland, ME add a $100.00 travel fee. Please contact me directly to discuss fees for school visits with more than a 1.5 hour commute or visits outside of New England. If a visit requires an overnight stay, expenses, including hotel, travel and meals will be added to the fee.

For School Virtual Visits: (2024-25)

One 30 min group 200.00 (for 1-4 classrooms) One 50 min group 375.00 (for 1-4 classrooms) One 50 min group 500.00 (unlimited classrooms including remote learners)

My virtual visit will be zoomed from my Maine studio. The 50 min session is more in-depth regarding the writing/creating process. Please email to discuss options.

For Community Events/ Professional Development/ Diversity Training/Book-talk:

Topic: The History of Disability Rights

ZOOM: One 60 min visit. 450.00 (Unlimited/community & staff) IN-PERSON: $500.00. Talk/ questions/Book signing

Please email or call for rates beyond an hour commute of Portland, Maine.

Featured Books for 2024-25 school year

DON’T ASK CAT!- Cat realizes that sometimes his words hurt. Cat learns to think before he speaks, and that sometimes it’s better to keep his comments to himself. A social emotional learning (SEL) book that ”Humorously imparts an important lesson about candor and discretion.”

MARABELLA’S MOMENT: (Publishes in April 2025) Marabella notices everything and through her chalk drawings, she inspires her classmates to look up and see the world around them. A great story which encourages kids to put the screens down and notice the moments.

FIGHTING FOR YES! THE STORY OF DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST JUDITH HEUMANN. Judith spent her life fighting for disability rights and led the famous 504 sit-in which brought about accessibility and ultimately the passing of the ADA. Judith herself, wrote a moving message to readers in this book.

Fighting For Yes! EDUCATORS GUIDE

WE WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL! THE FIGHT FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS - A nonfiction picture book, co-authored with my daughter Janine Leffler, is about a little-known 1972 landmark case which ensured a public school education for children with disabilities.

JANINE - Themes: disabilities, inclusion, kindness, acceptance, anti-bullying. 

THE POWER OF YET- Based on the Growth mindset of the same name. Themes: perseverance, patience, courage, grit, growing up.

THEO’S MOOD- Themes; social emotional, feelings and acceptance.

SAME WAY BEN- Themes: change, transition, coping, positivity.

REVIEWS:

"Maryann's visit was the perfect ending to our week of learning on disability awareness and inclusion! She did a fantastic job of maintaining the attention and interest of our students (K-8) over the course of 3 sessions, each specifically tailored to the age group attending. Her talk tied US history and personal experience together beautifully, in an engaging and empathy-filled conversation with our students."

Madeleine Mackenzie, M. Ed -5th Grade Humanities Advisory CoordinatorThe Brandeis School   San Francisco. CA

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“Maryann is a pioneer in telling the stories of heroes from the Disability Rights Movement. Her books are well researched and the illustrations increase the impact of the stories. Maryann combines her long professional career of being an author with her personal experience of raising a child with a disability to connect with students, parents and educational staff. As moms of children with disabilities, we are grateful that Maryann has advocated to tell the history of people with disabilities.”

Allison Huffstutler and Amy Hibbs - Co-Founders. BRIDGED INC. Bringing Disability Awareness into classrooms / South Carolina

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“Maryann’s presentation regarding her book; We Want to go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights, “The Quiet Revolution”, is sure to open eyes to educators, paraprofessionals, and administrators alike. Sessions targeted for students are equally amazing! By far, the most engaging and informational professional growth in my career.”

 Karen McLoud, M.Ed, Plymouth State University Supervisor, Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation, Plymouth, NH

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"I am always looking for unique ways to engage colleagues on topics related to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workplace and beyond. Maryann curated an excellent virtual event that drew from her own experiences as a parent, artist, illustrator, author, and advocate. She shared her personal experience advocating on behalf of her child and how that had inspired her most recent work documenting the fight for disability rights in the United States via children's books. It was impactful to the audience and helped reframe the conversation around disability." 

 Laura Shen  Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, WEX. Portland, ME   www.wexinc.com

Booksignings

It is not mandatory to sell my books during my visit, but if you wish to host a book sale, I would be happy to autograph the books. When possible, please support your local bookstore. Most stores would be happy to host the event at your school and may even provide a discount. If your school would like to handle the sale of books, I can provide you with a booklist and contact information to contact Publisher’s directly. If you mention AUTHOR VISIT, you will receive the school visit discount.