School Visits | April Hartmann | Author and Illustrator
top of page

Meet the Dream Keepers!

The Dream Keepers Hard Work and Happy Thoughts

This is Growth Mindset in Action

Author and Illustrator Visit with April Hartmann

The story behind the story.
Spoiler alert: It's all about persistence.

April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a local elementary school

Author and illustrator,
April Hartmann is now scheduling school visits to present her inspiring children's book, along with an interactive art demo.

illustrations by April Hartmann
illustrations by April Hartmann

The Dream Keepers is a story about what it takes to make a dream come true, and the school presentation will help kids develop strategies for achieving any goal.

It's motivational, educational and teaches a growth mindset with two main characters, Happy Thoughts and Hard Work. Grades K-5 will all be entertained and inspired. Yes, your big kids will especially enjoy this useful and energetic experience! Imagining their very own Dream Keepers will build habits for positive self-talk and self-discipline. Please fill out the contact form to inquire about rates and schedule your visit. 

April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a local elementary school
April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a local elementary school

Kids will:

  • Learn about Character, Action, and Setting.

  • Take part in the illustration process.

  • See growth mindset in action as I "struggle" with our interactive art demo and rely on The Dream Keepers volunteers to help me out.

  • Apply Happy Thoughts and Hard Work to their own goals and build habits for persistence and positivity.

Group sizes:

  • Classroom/library - up to 60 students

  • Auditorium/Gym - up to 300 students

April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a local elementary school
Star on white.jpg

Ask about opportunities for free & low-cost author visits

"Our students had a wonderful time with April Hartmann's fun program that included a drawing demonstration, lots of audience participation, and the reading of her awesome book, The Dream Keepers.  A wonderful story about having positive thoughts, determination, and working hard to reach your goals and dreams!"

Jenny Winter - Library Aide

Trafford Elementary School

Kids practice positive self-talk
by choosing their own Dream Keepers mottos

Dks motos for website.png

Thanks! Message sent.

Library and Workshop Programs

Small groups. Big ideas.

Program:

My Big Emotions - storytime and craft

Ages: 1 - 5  

Program Length: 1 hour

Little Emotions Matter!
It’s important to talk about emotions and tell others how we are feeling at times. But when big emotions take over, it can be hard to think of the words. Using this emotions wheel can help little ones understand that all emotions are normal, even when they don’t feel good. 

 

Includes:

  • A reading of "My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers" illustrated by April Hartmann

  • Supplies to create the Emotions Wheel

  • Step-by-step instructions

Toddler cover art_72 RGB.jpg
April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a library
April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a library
finished wheel.jpg

Program:

Open-Ended Creativity and Growth Mindset

Ages: 2 - 7

Program Length: 1 hour

An open-ended art activity and reading of the book by April Hartmann, “My Little Growing Mindset” while also discussing the topic of Growth Mindset.

 

Includes:​

  • What is growth mindset

  • Why it matters at this age

  • Ways to protect it and strengthen it

  • The importance of open-ended play,
    process art and creativity 

Includes customized graphics for your publicity platforms

MLGM Cover in 3D_RGB 300dpi 7x10_full flat.jpg
April Hartmann author and illustrator of My Little Growing Mindset visiting a library
Northland alt banner.jpg

"April Hartmann is a great presenter! Our library families thoroughly enjoyed their evening with April. The Growth Mindset Parenting workshop was fun and informative. April brings both intellect and heart to the subject matter!"

Susan Claus - Librarian, Manager Children & Teen Services

Northland Public Library

Program:

My Very Own Dream Keepers 

Ages: 5 - 16  

Program Length: 1 hour

A small group discussion about our goals and what we can do to prepare for times of adversity. All ages can connect with the book characters "Happy Thoughts" and "Hard Work" by imagining how they are your own personal champions.

Includes:

  • A reading of "The Dream Keepers" 

  • What is "self-talk" and why it matters

  • Supplies to create My Very Own Dream Keepers

  • Step-by-step instructions

Cover art_DreamKeepers_lo res_RGB_flat.jpg
bulletin board 05.jpg
My Dream Keepers Mottos_instructions.jpg
bulletin board 04.jpg
April Hartmann author and illustrator of The Dream Keepers visiting a library
IMG_6489.jpeg

About the Author

A Professional Artist and More

 

April Hartmann is an illustrator, designer, writer and professional speaker. Her artwork is featured in kids’ magazines, on posters, toys and retail packaging, and she has illustrated many books for children. 

 

A Growth Mindset Starts Here

Ms. Hartmann is proud to be a trailblazer in the field of growth mindset education. As the founder of “My Little Growing Mindset,” she has created an entire resource to nurture growth mindset in children ages 0-5, with an engaging website, multiple books, activities and a parenting blog. Through in-depth exploration around growth mindset research and the creation of insightful applications, her work has become a pioneering force.

 

April Hartmann's dedication to sharing the power of a growth mindset can be seen and heard through her presentations at schools and libraries, podcast interviews, book events and guest articles written for popular parenting websites. 

April Hartmann author and illustrator of My Little Growing Mindset
My Little Growing Mindset_Logo long_small.png
title card.jpg
April Hartmann author and illustrator of My Little Growing Mindset
Screenshot 2024-04-02 at 1.50.59 PM.jpg

Dream BIG.   Set Goals.   Take Action

April Hartmann author and illustrator of My Little Growing Mindset

Photos shared with permissions. 😊 *

More Dream Keepers fun!

View the Trailer!

Happt Thoughts and Hard Work

Coming soon - YouTube animated shorts featuring "Happy Thoughts" and "Hard Work"

bottom of page