Bring award-winning children’s author Refe Tuma to your school or festival
About the Authors
Refe Tuma and Susan Tuma are the authors of 5 books for children, selling over 300k copies worldwide and receiving multiple awards, including Bank Street College Best Book of the Year With Honors and the Page Turner Award. Based in the greater Chicagoland area, they have spoken at schools and festivals from Ottawa, KS to the Lincoln Center in New York City.
For Grades 3-6
Treat your students to a crash-course in storytelling (and a little mad science) with Heroes, Villains, and the Physics of Storytelling, as Refe inspires them to craft compelling stories in books, games, songs-even everyday conversations.
⭐️ “Utterly original.”
Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review
For Grades K-2
Hear Refe & Susan share the wild true story of Dinovember—the month dinosaurs come to life-and read their hit picture book What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night. Add incredible behind-the-scenes photos & it's a jam-packed celebration of creativity.
⭐️ “[A] deliciously chaotic notion.”
Kirkus, Starred Review
Workshops NEW!
Give your students the opportunity to learn from the pros!
Our interactive workshops encourage creative thinking, safe risk-taking, and energetic participation.
Storytelling On (and Off!) the Page
Learn how to break through uncertainty by learning to trust the creative process and become better storytellers through play.
Build-a-Villain
A hero is only as good as the villain is bad. Learn what makes the best (worst?) villains great, and create an original character with unique traits and motivations from scratch.
2024-25 Rates
Note: All rates are subject to change and may not reflect current pricing. Final rates are locked when the visit has been booked.
In-person
1 session (K-2 or 3-6) ……….……... $450
2 sessions (K-2 & 3-6) ………….….. $850
Full day (2 sessions + workshop) …. $1,250
Virtual
1 session (K-2 or 3-6) ……….……... $150
2 sessions (K-2 & 3-6) ………….….. $250
Evening session …………………….. $200
(Min full day rate + travel expenses for outside the greater Chicagoland area)
Discounts
Save up to 50% off your in-person visit when you preorder 50 or more copies of Frances and the Monster or Frances and the Werewolves of the Black Forest.
Single session virtual visits with Refe are FREE when you preorder 20 or more copies!
Contact the authors for more details.
Contact Us
Ready to book? Still have a few questions? Give us a shout.
Download our backgrounder to share with the teachers, librarians, parents, or PTO members in your circle.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Seven lucky schools will get a virtual visit with Refe including a brief reading from Frances and the Monster and Q&A.
World Read Aloud Day (WRAD)
Virtual
February 7
Refe will be visiting Ridge Family Center for Learning to speak to their K-2 and 3-5 grade students.
Ridge Family Center for Learning
Elk Grove, IL
March 3
April 10
Refe will be visiting Edison Elementary to speak to their K-2 and 3-5 grade students.
Edison Elementary
Elmhurst, IL
May 13
Hinsdale Middle School
Hinsdale, IL
Refe will deliver the keynote presentation at the District 181 Young Writers Program, lead students in his interactive Build-a-Villain workshop, and sign books for students and their families.