School Visits
School Visits
Inquire Now
💫The I Love You More School Tour
A Heart-Centered Enrichment Program with Ambassador of Love and
New York Times Bestselling Author Laura Duksta
In a room filled with young children and adults, Laura Duksta instantly captures your attention and before you know it, she captures your heart. She's like a wizard. A lot of magical twinkling fills the room and inside each little soul stars are born.
Mary Dewald, daughter, mother, grandmother and 5th grade teacher, Weston, FL
🌟 ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The I Love You More School Tour is an engaging and encouraging author visit experience that supports schools’ character education and literacy goals while nurturing kindness, confidence, connection, and enthusiasm.
Drawing from her New York Times bestselling book I Love You More — Laura invites students to discover how love, courage, creativity, and perseverance can shape both stories and lives. Laura's books have now sold over one million copies worldwide in eight languages.
While Laura is known for her beloved picture books, her presentations resonate across grade levels. She typically speaks to the entire school, as older students connect deeply with her honest sharing about going — and growing — through life’s challenges, and her adventures as an author.
Laura reminds students (and adults!) that you’re never too old for a great picture book — and never too young to realize that YOU are a magnificent gift to your family and the world.
💛 PROGRAM THEMES
✍️ Author & Writing Experience
Laura offers an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the creative process — writing, revising, editing, and discovering that our best work is rarely “one and done.” Students learn what inspired I Love You More, how ideas become books, and how persistence and purpose go hand in hand.
💗 Being Yourself: The Alopecia Story
Laura lost her hair at age 11, to a stress-triggered auto-immune condition called Alopecia Areata. She shares her journey from feeling self-conscious and bullied to embracing her uniqueness with confidence and joy, discovering the power, freedom and fun that comes from Being Yourself! Her story helps students build empathy, resilience, and the courage to be themselves.
✨ Discovering Your Genius
Each of us has a spark of brilliance within. Laura encourages students to recognize their own gifts, talents, and inner wisdom — and to see that even challenges can become stepping stones to growth and greatness.
📚 Reading Is Awesome!
Reading expands imagination, language, and possibility. Laura shares her love of books and the power of reading aloud — at home and in the classroom — to deepen connection and bring families and communities together.
🎉 Enthusiasm & Kindness
Laura’s signature cheers — “Keep Shining!” and “I AM a Genius!” — fill the room with joy and remind students that words matter. How we speak to ourselves and one another can uplift, encourage, and inspire.
❓ Q & A
Laura loves answering student questions. For upper grades, she often requests 60–75 minutes to allow time for deeper discussion, reflection, and meaningful conversation.
🍎 Bonus Opportunity: Lunch with Laura
Schools may invite a small group of students — such as essay winners, student leaders, or students who could use an extra boost — to enjoy a relaxed, encouraging lunchtime conversation with Laura about creativity, courage, and following your dreams.
📖 Signed Books
A flyer can be sent home prior to the visit, giving families the opportunity to order personalized, signed copies of Laura’s books. Each child receives a handwritten message, making their book a cherished keepsake.
➕ Add-On Experiences
Laura also offers:
-
Smaller, grade-level workshops
-
Family Reading Nights
-
Special sessions for parents, teachers, or community members
These experiences deepen engagement and extend the impact beyond the school day.
Email Laura Here for Booking Inquiry
Please include name of school or organization, location, how many students approximately, if your school has a budget and possible dates. Laura or a team member will get back to you ASAP. We often have donated or sponsored partial or full school visits.
Testimonials and a list of schools visited below....
Testimonials
"YOU ARE AMAZING!"
First grade student, American Heritage, Palm Beach Campus
On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia S. Young Montessori Magnet, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for coming out to our school. Your performances demonstrated your passion for positive thinking. Your message that everyone is a genius and anyone can achieve their dreams resonated with our students and staff. Afterwards, I overheard students sharing with others the impact of your presentation on how they view themselves and others.
When we scheduled your visit, we had no idea how dynamic and powerful your program would be. It is my pleasure to recommend you as an outstanding author/presenter to other schools in our district and beyond. You are now a celebrity of our students and your performances demonstrated the importance of reading, believing in yourself, and pursuing your dreams. Any school would be blessed to have you as a presenter. You truly touched the lives of our students and we thank you. We now believe in the beauty of our dreams and to always keep shining!
Jennifer Narkier, Media Specialist, Virginia S. Young Montessori Magnet
I was planning a community event, and wow did I hit the jackpot bringing in New York Times Bestselling author, Laura Duksta!!! She spoke to our book club after school and then came back for a sensational evening event. Both presentations exceeded my expectations. Laura inspired future authors to never give up, and realize that sometimes it takes a little failure to find success. Laura also inspired others to feel good about themselves with her fun cheers! She had students, parents, and community members on their feet, and feeling great!
Many of you think that during these difficult financial times, it’s not possible to afford such an event. That’s not true. Thanks to the tremendous support from a school partner, I was also able to secure Laura’s fee with ease. I would highly recommend Laura and her program to students, parents, and teachers! What an enthusiastic author! Don’t miss out!!!
Amy, Third Grade Teacher, Weston, FL
Thank you so much for your presentation at St. Mark's. I can truly say that we were all overwhelmed by your positive message! I was so impressed with your ability to communicate effectively with all age groups. Each of the groups you spoke to from the 1 year old class to the 8th grade enjoyed your book and talk. I have seen kids doing the I Shine cheer all week and our 7/8th grade Math teacher tells me she uses the genius cheer every day at the start of class! I hope you will come back and talk to us about your next book--we are looking forward to it!
Heidi Burnett, Director, School Media Center, St. Mark's Episcopal School
Laura Duksta and Karen Keesler are great! They have a presentation that truly supports the work of educators, parents and children. Their message of love includes both affective and academic elements. Social and emotional issues discussed include dealing with personal challenges, differences in yourself and others, appreciating yourself and others, using the imagination and self-affirmation, setting goals, accepting constructive criticism, and using your talents to help others. Academic issues include keeping a positive attitude in school, exploring the creative process, drafting and revising work of any kind (including written and artistic work) and persevering to complete a project. Laura and Karen know how to tailor their program to audiences of various ages. They helped my school find the genius inside each one of us!
James McGhee II, Headmaster, Alexander School, Miami, FL
I feel it’s been a privilege to have crossed paths with these lovely ladies because of their message of love and their dedicated, compassionate method of delivering that message not only through their book and their web site, but also through their personalities. Every chance I’ve had to interact with Laura and Karen tells me that they have a strong message that needs to be heard not only in South Florida, but around the world.
Julia E. Spann, Youth Services Librarian Pembroke Pines/Walter C. Young Res. Center
“I find Laura to be an amazing person and feel that her positive outlook on building relationships is in keeping with our Character Education Program.”
Susan Messing, Proud Principal, Chancellor Charter School
“I thought Laura’s presentation was great. The students and I talked about it after the show. The students focused on what it must be like and feel like to look different and how important it is to treat everyone with kindness. We discussed how we all have two eyes, two ears, etc. yet how we all have special qualities that make us different.”
Debbie Geller, Teacher Imagine Schools
When the guidance counselor who booked Laura at American Heritage (Broward campus), asked her 6th grade son what he thought of the program, she was expecting one of his typical responses of “Boring” or “Ok,” she was surprised by his heartfelt answer, “The only problem was that it should’ve been longer!” The program was an hour!
Media specialists frequently comment on Laura's ability to engage, and effectively communicate, with younger and older students. While she typically visit elementary schools, she has talks designed for all ages from preschool to high school, personal development days, educator seminars, mommy and me groups, as well as senior living homes...the message of LOVE resonates with and makes a difference for people of all ages!
It is Laura's ability to be PRESENT with the students that is the true GIFT!
Schools Visited
Arizona:
Mesa: Zaharis Elementary
Tempe: Changing Hands w School for the Deaf
California:
La Jolla: The Children's School
Lake Tahoe: Environmental Science Magnet,
Los Angeles: St James Episcopal
Murrieta: Murrieta Elementary
Colorado:
Aspen: Aspen Elementary, Wildwood and others
Denver: Mile High Center for Spiritual Living Youth Program
Longmont: St John the Baptist Catholic School
Florida:
Amelia Island: Amelia Island Montessori
Atlantic Beach: Atlantic Beach Elementary
Boca Raton: Saint Andrew's Primary School
Bryceville: Bryceville Elementary
Celebration: Celebration Elementary
Coral Springs: Riverside, Country Hills, Cambridge Schools
Davie: David Posnack Temple School, Hawkes Bluff
Delray: American Heritage (two visits)
Fort Lauderdale: Virginia S Young, Lloyd Estates, Floranada, St Mark's, Pinecrest, St Anthony's, Delmar academy, Bayview, Little Flower Montessori, Church by the Sea School
Fort Pierce: Fort Pierce Magnet School for the Arts
Hallandale: David Posnack/ Hochberg East Campus
Hollywood: Beach Montessori
Lady Lake: The Villages of Lady Lake Elementary
Land O' Lakes: Sanders
Leesburg: Leesburg Elementary
Lutz: Kidstuff
Miami: Alexander School, Miami Country Day, St Francis, St Thomas
Mount Dora: Round Lake Charter
Pembroke Pines: Cambridge Schools
Pinecrest: Pinecrest Elementary
Plantation: American Heritage (four visits)
Pompano: Lighthouse Point Christian
New Port Richey: Fox Hollow Elementary
Tamarac: Liberty Elementary
Tangerine: Tangerine School House
Weston: Everglades Elementary, Imagine Charter, Cambridge Schools
West Palm Beach: Meyer's Academy, Academy of the Palm Beaches
Windermere: Keene's Crossing Elementary
Illinois:
Glenview: Willowbrook
Shorewood: Walnut Trails
Streamwood: Ridge Circle
Wheaton: St Michael's Elementary
Kentucky:
Alexandria: St Joseph Cold Spring
Bowling Green: Briarwood Elementary
Maryland:
Annapolis: Preschool for the Arts
College Park: University of Maryland
Massachusetts:
Halifax: Halifax Elementary, The Magical Years
Hingham: Notre Dame Academy, St Paul's Catholic School
Kingston: Kingston Elementary, Sacred Heart, The Magical Years
Marshfield: Governor Winslow, Daniel Webster, Martinson, Eames Way, Steeple School
Milton: Collicot
Pembroke: The Magic Years
Plymouth: Federal Furnace Elementary
Quincy: South Shore STARS Preschool
Randolph: South Shore STARS preschool
Scituate: Hatherly, Jenkins, Lil' Munchkins Childcare & Preschool, Owl's Crossing Preschool
Weymouth: South Shore STARS Preschool
Missouri:
Overland: Marion Elementary
St Louis: Immacolata, New City School
New Jersey:
Caldwell: Grandview, Trinity Academy
Orange: Forest Street
West Orange: Gregory Elementary
New York:
Frost Valley YMCA for CAP
Port Washington: Parent Resource Center
Ohio:
Cincinnati: Guardian Angels, Sands Montessori, Mercer, Welch, Colerain
Kings Mills: Kings Mills
South Carolina
Aynor: Aynor Elementary
Conway: Kingston Elementary
Tennessee:
Brentwood: Kenrose
Franklin: Walnut Grove, Clovercroft
Nashville: Mama Lere School for the Deaf, Vanderbilt
Mt Juliet: Rutland Elementary
Spring Hill: Allendale
Watertown: Watertown Elementary
Texas:
Austin: Blazier Elementary
Want to add your school to the list, CONTACT US today!
