author visits
Diane loves meeting students, teachers, and librarians, and getting everyone more excited about reading.
She offers in-person and virtual author visits as well as writing workshops for grades 4–8.
In this interactive presentation, Diane Debrovner shows students how a single question—What is it like to grow up with blind parents?—inspired a nonfiction article and eventually a novel. Told from the perspectives of a 12-year-old girl and a guide dog, the book follows Roxie as she starts a new school and hopes her classmates will see her as more than just “the girl with blind parents.”
Drawing from her research and writing process, Diane takes students behind the scenes of creating the book, from interviewing families and learning about guide dogs to collaborating with co-author Stacy Cervenka, a blind parent whose lived experience helped shape the story. Along the way, they’ll see how curiosity can spark research, deepen understanding, and grow into a novel.
Students will also see a braille edition of the book, learn how people who are blind or low vision read and write, and explore the unique partnership between a guide dog and their handler. Through discussion and audience participation, students will consider how easy it is to make assumptions about other people—and how much we all want to be known for who we really are.
Presentations are approximately 45 minutes including Q&A and can be tailored for assemblies or smaller classroom groups.
Curiosity, Research, and the Story Behind Roxie in Color
“What a joy it was to welcome Diane Debrovner to our school! She did an incredible job connecting with the students and bringing Roxie’s story to life. Our students were excited to listen, ask questions, and learn more about the inspiration behind the book and the writing process. Her visit was inspiring, educational, and a wonderful experience for our school community.”
—Megan Romano, Librarian, Pine Run Elementary School, New Britain, PA
“Diane was engaging, entertaining, and wonderfully interactive, capturing the students’ attention and encouraging them to think deeply. She also brought items that helped students better understand some of the tools and resources that can be helpful to someone who is blind, making the experience both meaningful and memorable. Students will not only discover a fantastic book, but they will also walk away with a deeper understanding of the importance of compassion, empathy, and embracing people whose experiences and abilities may be different from their own.”
—Brittany Mackey. Librarian, Cliff Valley School, Atlanta, GA
“Diane Debrovner's writing workshop for middle school students was engaging and effective. She got kids writing and thinking immediately. Her writing prompts were challenging yet flexible and they allowed young writers to experiment with different perspectives and techniques. Students found her approachable and encouraging and felt inspired to keep writing. Highly recommend!”
— Amy Chow, Librarian, The Brearley School, New York, NY
Writing Workshops
Diane helps students explore storytelling and creating believable characters. Sharing why she chose to tell Roxie in Color from the perspectives of both a girl and a guide dog, she invites students to consider the surprising power of point of view. Through discussion and writing exercises, students experiment with different ways to tell the same story.
Workshops run 45-60 minutes. Students should have paper, a pen or pencil, and a surface to write on.
