"If you haven’t scheduled Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts for an author visit to your school yet, book them now! Even before the co-authors arrived for their visit to the DC Public Schools, their Amy Hodgepodge book series brought much joy, knowledge, understanding, and delight to my students, as they read about and discussed Amy’s adventures in anticipation of the Wayans-Knotts visit.
Kim and Kevin’s storytelling and warm interactions with our students brought happiness to the hearts of our students, as they impressed children and school staff alike. Their presence, and its impact on the school climate of our DC schools has had a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of our students.
All were moved by the life lessons taught in the Amy Hodgepodge series, and the genuineness of Kim and Kevin’s mission to promote tolerance, self-acceptance, cooperation, and fulfillment through their writing. Their down-to-earth connectedness with children and their families, during readings and book signings, exemplified their commitment to their mission.
Our violence prevention program, NO OFFENSE, has been honored and privileged to collaborate with Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts, as we reach out to improve children’s lives. Our non-profit organization plans to integrate Amy Hodgepodge books into our psycho-educational curriculum, and to partner with Kim and Kevin in the years to come.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Kim and Kevin for sharing your gifts with DC Public School children, and making a lasting impact on their hopes, dreams, and actions that will lead to increased success in their lives. We will be forever grateful, and hope that you will return for a visit soon."
Lauren Jones, Ph.D., School Psychologist
DC Public Schools, Founder and President, NO OFFENSE
"Husband and wife team Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts joined us at the Echo Park Branch Library for an exciting, special reading from their book Amy Hodgepodge: All Mixed Up. The event was enriching and valuable to the Echo Park community. It was a wonderful opportunity for the library’s young patrons to get a glimpse into the life of a writer, and was encouraging to any of the children who have ever considered a career in writing. Many of the excited children acknowledged that they enjoy writing their own stories, and guests Kim and Kevin motivated them to continue writing using day-to-day life as inspiration.
Karla Valdez
Children's Librarian
Echo Park Library, Los Angeles Public Library
"The authors are very animated and engaging readers. The children really enjoyed listening to them read and tell about how they write the Amy Hodgepodge stories. The children had lots of questions for them and they were really generous in answering as many as possible. I would think any school or library would have a very positive response to a visit from this couple."
Teri Robertson
Children's Librarian
Baldwin Hills Branch, Los Angeles Public Library
"The Amy Hodgepodge reading here at Central Library went very well. I would recommend it to both schools and libraries. Ms. Wayans and Mr. Knotts were entertaining and enthusiastic readers who appealed to a wide audience. Both children and adults were involved in the story about the first day of school, which had universal appeal. Also, the multiethnic girl character is especially appropriate for so many children who live here in Los Angeles. The question and answer format kept people involved and the book giveaway was highly successful."
Madeline Bryant
Senior Librarian
Children’s Literature Department (Central Library)
Los Angeles Public Library
"It was a real treat for our students to hear Kim and Kevin read from their work. My students are still talking about the experience!! I am overjoyed about the increased interest in reading, the program and the book series AMY HODGEPODGE has developed in my students!"
Mercedes Cordoba
Teacher
Fenton Avenue Charter School
"Thank you so much for such a wonderful book talk program. Not only are you great authors but also great performers who know how to bring the book to life. No wonder the kids enjoyed seeing and learning from you so much."
Tim Hou
Children’s Librarian
Lake View Terrace Branch
Los Angeles Public Library
"Thanks for the opportunity you provided our students. It was a great experience for all of us! AMY HODGEPODGE reminds us of feelings that are never too far away. Those feelings that are universal to young and old alike. Like the fear of starting anew and wanting to be accepted for the wonderful beings we know we are."
Mrs. Perkins
Teacher
Fenton Avenue Charter School
"Thanks for a great program! Our community could really relate to the multicultural message in the Amy Hodgepodge series. Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts brought the stories to life with their animated storytelling."
Danielle Dyer
Children’s Librarian
Exposition Park - Dr. Mary Bethune Regional Branch
"Turning the Page and our Washington DC families send a giant thank you to Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts for such wonderful Author Visits at our DC Public Schools! Ms. Wayans and Mr. Knotts did an excellent job sharing their love for writing with our students and encouraging parents to nurture their children's talents and celebrate their individuality. We would gladly welcome Ms. Wayans and Mr. Knotts back to Washington, DC anytime!"
Erika Widmaier
Program Coordinator
Turning the Page
"Kim and Kevin did an awesome job reading from their book, All Mixed Up. They were animated, energetic and engaged the children. The kids had a lot of fun. They were very appreciative of the books (bought by the Friends of the Library) that were given to them and signed by the authors. Some of the children even expressed wanting to become writers like Kim and Kevin some day."
Yolanda Alaniz
Children's Librarian
Huntington Park Library - County of Los Angeles
" Unbelievable! You two were fantastic! The Janney students fell in love with AMY HODGEPODGE and her friends because you brought those characters to life right before their very eyes. What amazing performances. You are the best! Thank you for all the work you do for children's literature, and we look forward to another visit at Janney."
Patricia Brown & Malin Kerwin
Library Media Specialists
Janney Elementary School, Washington D.C.
"It gives me great pleasure to speak about the wonderful visit of Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts to M.C. Terrell/McGogney Elementary School. The atmosphere was thick with excitement from children, parents and staff as we awaited their arrival. The animated reading of AMY HODGEPODGE created a jubilant ambiance of pure enjoyment. The students were mesmerized while listening to the story. The book signing afterwards was spectacular. We thank you Kim and Kevin for being so gracious and sharing your time and your spirit with us. We felt like celebrities thanks to you welcoming us into the world of Amy Hodgepodge. We hope to have you visit again!"
Tanya H. Deskins
Principal
M.C. Terrell/McGogney Elementary School, Washington D.C.
"Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts' visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, provided a wonderful evening of enthusiasm and excitement! A record number of parents and students attended the Community Night program to meet the AMY HODGEPODGE authors. Their visit generated positive discussions and interactions among our students. The joy of reading demonstrated that evening, continues to be a "hot" topic. This activity/event has clearly had a positive effect on learning."
Valoria E. Baylor, Ed.D.
Principal
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
Washington, D.C.
"Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts did an absolutely wonderful job! Our students were able to see themselves or people they know in the characters in these entertaining books. After spending time with them both, our students were excited not only about reading but the possibility of being an author or an illustrator."
Deborah Davis
Principal
Magnolia Elementary School
Upland
"Big Springs Elementary School completely enjoyed our visit with the authors of Amy Hodgepodge! The students were entertained and informed. They had the opportunity to ask questions about writing. Our students related well to the themes of the books and likened them to what they are learning in "Second Steps" (a bullying prevention program). Kim and Kevin were so kind to the students staying extra time to autograph books. The students were inspired to read more about Amy and to write some of their own stories! What a great day!!"
Beverley Radloff
Principal
Big Springs Elementary School
"It was a pleasure to have you both at Kenter Canyon last week. Your presentation was fun for the kids and the Q & A was informative and thorough. We all enjoyed meeting both of you and we will never forget the visit. The students are still talking about you. That following Monday after your visit a group of 5th grade girls came up to me and said, "Mrs. Robinson let us give you a hug." And I said, "What is this for?". I learned it was their way of saying the author visit was really cool. The teachers also expressed appreciation to me for arranging the visit. They felt the children really benefitted from the experience. They liked your dramatization of the characters in the book. I liked how you talked about the writing process. Thanks again for the time you shared with our students and I wish you continued success in the literary world."
Deborah Robinson
Librarian
Kenter Canyon Elementary
"Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts visited the Tulsa City-County Library in February, 2009. Nearly two hundred children and adults arrived on the night of their visit, excited and positively affected by their warm presence.
Many children of various racial heritages were in the audience, asking questions, and listening intently as the couple discussed the adventures of Amy Hodgepodge and her friends.
This program, focused specifically on children who are bi-racial in heritage, was a first for the library's African-American Resource Center, and it was a fabulous success. The series of books literally flew off the shelves and even after their visit, requests came for more.
Kevin, handsome and fun, was the perfect compliment for Kim's beauty and down to Earth warmth. The two show care and openness to all they encounter. Their visit was a well-received pleasure. The Amy Hodgepodge books are great!"
Alicia Latimer, M.H.R.
African-American Resource Center Coordinator
Tulsa City-County Library
Dear Kim and Kevin,
Thank you for an amazing program at the Panorama City Branch Library. Kids and parents alike were spellbound by the dramatic reading from "All Mixed Up" and excited to read the books to find out what would happen next. Everyone loved the book giveaway game and your answers to their questions. Entertaining and informative - we couldn't have asked for a better visit!
Thanks again!
Beth Gallego
Children's Librarian III
Panorama City Branch Library
Los Angeles Public Library
"DRAMA!!! DRAMA!!! DRAMA!!! Kim and Kevin are so much fun!!! Everyone was SO engaged from children to adults. They read a few chapters from their books, asked questions to see if they were listening (they even won stickers for a correct answer) and then answered questions from the audience. What a positive author experience!!!
Vicki White, Media Center Assoc.
Cameron Elementary School
West Covina, CA
