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School Visits

Amazing Book Ideas

School Visits

Cathey Nickell’s visits are a celebration of creativity, imagination, and turning ordinary ideas into something amazing! Through her books — Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car and Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn — Cathey inspires students to think outside the box and embrace their unique voices.

Drawing from her background in journalism and storytelling, Cathey shares behind-the-scenes insights, fun facts about the publishing process, and personal stories that bring the books to life. Her main presentation is ideal for K–5th grade. Preschool readings highlight the ABC theme in Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car, and she also offers sessions for 6th–8th graders, focusing more on writing and book publishing. Each visit is customized and interactive, encouraging kids to dream big, stay curious, and create with confidence—just ask if you have specific needs!

A group of children around a car with a monster head.

Schedule a School Visit

Let’s work together to plan an AMAZING day for your school or organization!

  • Half-Day Author Visit
  • $ 400
    Half-Day
  • A bulletin board with cars and people on it.

    Half-day visits are customized for each school and include time for 1 to 4 presentations.

  • Full-Day Author Visit
  • $ 600
    Full-Day
  • A large group of people watching a movie.

    Full-day visits are customized for each school with a maximum limit of six presentations.

  • Art Car Visit Add-On
  • $ 60-$120
    Day
  • A car with two ears and one ear on the hood.

    For Houston visits, art car drivers are happy to join Cathey during her in-person visits.

  • Virtual Story Time Reading
  • $ 100
    Reading

  • Two books are sitting on a table.

    Includes a 30-minute virtual Story Time Reading with a Q&A time.

  • Writing Workshop
  • $ 250
    Session

  • A wall of cars painted on paper.

    (3rd grade & up)
    Small-group, in-person sessions where Cathey guides students through a fun one-hour writing exercise.

  • ''Grownups'' Presentation
  • $ Inquire
    Visit
  • A woman standing in front of shelves holding an open book.

    Cathey delivers an inspirational talk about her writing journey, perfect for your organization’s group meeting. Contact for pricing.

Download the “Book Pre-Order Form” that you can customize for your school once you have scheduled your Author Visit.

A Note to School Librarians and Teachers

If your school does not have funds budgeted for this, please contact Cathey to discuss possible options. Cathey’s main goal is to get her unique message of writing and creativity into the schools, so the full visit fee should not be a deterrent.

Please discuss travel expenses if your school is outside of the Houston area.

Parents enjoy ordering autographed/personalized copies of Cathey’s book, but there is no required minimum book purchase.

Librarians and teachers who want to review/read the book prior to scheduling an author visit can request a free copy. Cathey will donate a book to your school library (serious inquiries only, please). You may also purchase a copy via Amazon or directly on this website.

what people say

Testimonials

My four-year-old enjoyed Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn, as he is a big fan of ALL the colors! What I enjoyed most was Yazzy’s desire to make things beautiful again. That’s the sort of life lesson children should be learning—how to love and improve the world around them.

Julie S. Five-Star Amazon Review

You should buy these books even if you don’t have kids!

Matt Barnes & Jeff Bachman Bros Before Rose Podcast

Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn is such a classic. I’m officially inspired to take out the big bucket of yarn I’ve been avoiding!

Haley Ringer Review from The Page Unbound

As a teacher, it’s refreshing to find books that expose children to an alternative art form. I’m inspired, and I know my students will be too.

Deborah Horwitz The Emery/Weiner School, Houston, TX

I would highly recommend visiting author Cathey Nickell. It was a day that both students and teachers praised highly. Cathey was excellent with the children, and she worked with all 750-plus children in our school in one day.

Ann Parsons Newman Spring Shadows Elementary, Houston, TX

I was blown away by how amazing Cathey and her illustrator Bill Megenhardt were with the students! They have not stopped talking about it. The teachers loved it as much, if not more. There are not enough words to express how thankful we are.

Jami Saucier The Woodlands Methodist School, Woodlands, TX

I’m an elementary school art teacher, and [Cathey’s books are] definitely a must-have for your art and literature go-to library/lessons.

Megan Peppers Lamar Elementary School, The Woodlands, TX

Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car is a fantastic story about a man who allows creativity to improve his life. Cathey Nickell provides an engaging presentation of her book including facts and history of art cars, insider information about surprises within the story, and tips for how to be a great writer. Our students enjoyed the visit and buzzed about the book for weeks.

Amber Mann Sugar Mill Elementary, Sugar Land, TX

Yazzy’s Amazing Yarn has definitely inspired my crafty daughter to create some yarn bombing of her own. It would make a great birthday present to accompany a knitting kit.

Nicole P.G. Five-Star Amazon Review

Cathey's presentation was so powerful and allowed our students to see how a real author turns ideas into completed writing pieces. I'm so glad that my kids got to be part of this experience!

Laura Gray The Joy School, Houston, TX

Ms. Nickell's author visit was fabulous! Our students really enjoyed learning about the writing process and using their imagination. She even brought some of her art car friends for a visit too! Highly recommend for all ages.

Leena Elmore McWhirter Elementary, Clear Lake, TX

As a teacher, I’m so excited to begin this academic year with these playful yet profound books that celebrate out-of-the-box thinking, cooperation and loyalty. And thank you for the fantastic classroom presentations, Cathey.

Sheri J. Tanglewood Middle School, Houston, TX

Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car is a wonderful story that speaks to children of all ages about friendship, creativity and recycling. Our students got to see a real art car! It was a wonderful, interactive moment for the children, and I highly recommend Cathey’s unique author visit to other schools.

Jeanie Lundquist The Goddard School, Greater Heights/Houston, TX

Our students have taken your suggestions to heart and are using them with their writing and illustrating. Thanks so much for being an inspiration!

Shirley Dulworth Tough Elementary School, The Woodlands, TX

Our students enjoyed hearing about Cathey Nickell’s personal writing journey and the story behind real art cars in Houston.

Laurie Bridel Southfield School, Shreveport, LA

Cathey came and spoke to my middle schoolers ... twice! She’s an inspiration to any students (and adults!) that she speaks to...plus it doesn't hurt that it's fun!

Lynden Briscoe Holy Spirit Episcopal School, Houston, TX

Cathey delivered a high-energy presentation to our students. She talked about writing small books as a young child and then went on to discuss how her ideas for stories develop. Dynamic!

Laurie Mitchell and Kristin Uptmor St. Mark’s Episcopal School, Houston, TX

Cathey did a wonderful job with my 5th graders. The kids were engaged and excited to hear about what goes on behind-the-scenes when writing a book. As a language arts teacher, I loved the direct connection to the concepts I cover in my class such as brainstorming and the steps in the writing process.

Jennifer Donovan The Joy School, Houston, TX

Every student had something positive to say. I thought it was brilliant of Cathey to remind them that some of the best ideas started from something small, like an acorn! Cathey truly made an impact on our students.

Holli Hawkins Tough Elementary School, The Woodlands, TX

Teachers and students absolutely LOVED having Cathey Nickell visit our school. The day was a special treat for all of us here at TWMS.

Anne-Marie Daughtery The Woodlands Methodist School, The Woodlands, TX

Cathey, thank you for the amazing author visit! You were so flexible and helpful throughout the day. Several teachers and students came up to me to tell me how much the students LOVED you! You are phenomenal and I would love to invite you back next year.

Courtney Burr Settlers Way Elementary, Sugar Land, TX

Cathey talked about strategies for young people to begin the creative writing process and emphasized that you don’t always have to have a big idea to write a story. Her presentation was informative, educational, and fun!

Myke Reitman St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Houston, TX

Cathey Nickell really knows her audience when presenting to kids. She easily captured our girls’ attention and inspired them to write creatively on their own and search for ideas in their everyday lives. She even brought an art car driver friend and his car to bring the story to life!

Katie Turner Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Houston, TX

For school visits, book orders, or general inquiries, please contact me and follow along on social media for the latest updates and fun!

catheynickell@gmail.com
Bellaire/Houston, TX catheynickell@gmail.com