What people have said

I loved it, and our students loved it. My homeroom students went home and talked about many aspects of the presentation to their parents and siblings (electric guitar, mealworms, foot-long centipedes, Mayan calendar, to name but a few). As we were writing in our journal today, I reminded my students what Mrs. Voelkel said about writing, to do it every day!!!!! Yes!

- Nancy Scott, 8th Grade Language Arts teacher, AG Wright Middle School, VA

Without a doubt, the best presentation I have seen in twenty years of teaching.

Pat Donovan, Academic Enrichment

Gloversville Middle School, NY

I had such a good time at your event! I cannot remember laughing so much during an author visit.    

- Diane Black, BBGB Books, VA

“Jon and Pamela just finished a full day at our school for their book Middleworld. WOW!!! THEY ARE WONDERFUL!!! The students were sucked into their presentation and didn’t want it to end.”

Jacqueline R. Welch-Doubek, Librarian

Mannion Middle School, NV

You were amazing and the kids loved you!

Brandi Stewart, Changing Hands, AZ

“You know your are witnessing something truly special when you can sit through a presentation four times and be as captivated the first time as the last.  The Voelkels have created an event that contains the perfect combination of education and entertainment.   They present an amazing amount of  cultural history,  scientific information,  and environmental exploration all while their audience laughs, gasps, squeals and bursts into spontaneous applause.  The Voelkel’s visit is not just a presentation it is an inspiring event that students and teachers will remember for a long long time.” 

Heather Hebert, Children’s Book World,

Haverford, PA   

“The Voelkels are simply amazing, and utterly delightful to work with.  In the course of 2 days, they appeared before almost 1000 children, and I’d lay money there wasn’t a one who was bored.  AND they put across a lot of history and geography at the same time!  The sessions are noisy: kids are screaming, yelling, laughing, trying to reach for the fried larvae — and the V’s egg them on.  When the Maya King appears at the end it’s a fitting climax.”   

– Carol B. Chittenden, Eight Cousins Children’s Books, Falmouth, MA  

“Jon and Pamela Voelkel ... gave about the best presentation for kids that I have ever seen ... the response from both kids and teachers (particularly librarians) was phenomenal. The Voelkels turned a group of kids who were happy to be out of class, but otherwise just slunk low in their seats, into active and enthusiastic participants... The Voelkels arrive in their pith helmets and serve as tour guides through the rainforests of Central America. It’s when they spray the kids with water for authenticity’s sake that the kids really sit up and know this isn’t going to be adult talking at them for 45 minutes.”

Jennifer Stark, Customer  Relations Manager

Barnes & Noble/Lincoln Center, NY

“The Voelkels’ presentation for their adventure book, ‘Middleworld’, was multi-sensory! Students at Edmunds Middle School were engaged by the passion demonstrated by the Voelkels for the Maya culture. They provided us with an adventure tour and a standard based curriculum that is hands-on, creative and educational.”

Carole Renca, Librarian

Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, VT

“Congratulations on a beautiful presentation that kept the students interested and engaged all the time!!! That was a wonderful experience for my kids.”

Gloria Estrella, Teacher

Wakefield Middle School, Tucson, AZ

“A unique, attention-grabbing multimedia show.  The humor, history, and special effects were very well-received by our students, and though they gave 3 presentations in a row, the energy level remained high!  The authors continually interacted with the audience, keeping them actively involved and continually learning about the Ancient Maya.   The program was age-appropriate, enjoyable, and highly recommended.

Nancy Hemel-Brisco, Librarian

The Vail School, Tucson, AZ

"I can't tell you how much we all enjoyed your visit to Lafayette  last week. It was one of the best presentations we have ever had."

Debbie Boutwell, Librarian,

Lafayette Middle School, MS

The Voelkels’ brilliantly choreographed and performed presentation combines wild fun and compelling educational material. They were a giant hit everywhere we went.

- Kenny Brechner, DDG Booksellers, ME

The Voelkels are charming, entertaining, and passionate about what they do - a winning combination.

- Trish Brown, Hooray For Books, VA

J&P at Morse Pond School

J&P at event in VT