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What Educators Are Saying

Djenane St. Juste’s presentation was a truly enriching experience for educators across all levels… Her method of connecting rhythm, vocabulary, and repetition in storytelling not only makes learning fun but also helps students develop their language skills in a natural and enjoyable way.

 Corina Pastrana, M.Ed., Minnesota Reading Association

Our students and staff enjoyed every single minute! You do such a lovely job sharing your culture while also establishing a welcoming and inviting community for everyone involved.

Emmi Hackbarth, Wiltshire Park Elementary

It was an absolute joy to have Djenane visit our classroom and share her remarkable talents with us. She brought a beautiful and authentic experience of Haitian culture to life, enriching our students in ways that will resonate long after her visit.

Melissa Vega Mayerle, Groveland Elementary, Minnetonka Public Schools

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School Programs / Programmes Scolaires

Invite us to your school or event for a unique immersive Haitian experience!

Emphasizing the joy of learning through reading, storytelling, singing, dancing, and artistic activities, Djenane Saint Juste's multilingual books based on Haitian and Caribbean culture promote literacy, inclusion, and diversity among young people.

Bringing Culture into the Classroom / Français  - Apporter la culture dans la salle de classe

Invite Djenane Saint Juste to your school or library for interactive readings, storytelling sessions, and cultural workshops that bring Haiti’s beauty to life.
Each visit integrates dance, drumming, and multilingual storytelling — encouraging students to read, move, and connect through art.

Programs are available in-person and virtually, with custom options for every grade level


Through interactive workshops, author visits, and storytelling residencies, Djenane brings Haitian and Afro-Caribbean traditions to life for students and communities. Her programs combine reading, dance, drumming, and singing to promote literacy and cultural awareness.

  • Author Visits: Bilingual storytelling sessions for schools and libraries.

  • From Page to Stage Workshops: Turning stories into movement and performance.

  • Konbit Program: A collective learning experience rooted in Haitian values of unity and collaboration.

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Invitez Djenane Saint Juste dans votre école ou votre bibliothèque pour des lectures interactives, des séances de contes et des ateliers culturels qui font rayonner toute la beauté d’Haïti.
Chaque visite intègre la danse, le tambour et le conte multilingue — invitant les élèves à lire, bouger et se connecter à travers l’art.

Les programmes sont offerts en présentiel ou en virtuel, avec des options personnalisées pour chaque niveau scolaire.


Grâce à des ateliers interactifs, des visites d’auteure et des résidences de conte, Djenane fait vivre les traditions haïtiennes et afro-caribéennes aux élèves et aux communautés. Ses programmes combinent lecture, danse, tambour et chant pour promouvoir la littératie et la sensibilisation culturelle.

  • Rencontres avec l’auteure : Séances de contes bilingues pour écoles et bibliothèques.

  • Ateliers De La Page à la Scène : Transformer les histoires en mouvement et en performance.

  • Programme Konbit : Une expérience d’apprentissage collective fondée sur les valeurs haïtiennes d’unité et de collaboration.

Core Offerings

  • Multilingual Children’s Books in Haitian Creole, French, English, and Spanish.

  • Educational Programs for schools and libraries—Read-A-Thon, Author Visits, From Page to Stage, and Konbit workshops.

  • Professional Development for educators integrating multicultural content into classrooms.

  • Cultural Partnerships with museums, festivals, and community organizations.

Order books

Djenane Saint-Juste’s multilingual children’s books, “The Mermaid and the Whale – Lasirèn ak Labalèn” and “Ti Sonson ak Pouvwa Tanbou – And the Power of the Drum,” bring authentic Haitian stories into the classroom to enrich and diversify your curriculum. Each book is rooted in true cultural representation, supporting language learning with text in English, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish, and includes interactive elements like songs and drumming activities to engage students of all grade levels. These books don’t just appeal to individuals with Haitian background - they unite students through representation, exploration of cultural identity and open discussions around colonization and celebration of diversity

 

The process is simple: schools can order directly through the website, with bulk discounts available for classroom sets and professional development sessions for teachers on integrating the books into lessons. We provide catered curriculum that varies with the grade level of the students.

 

Costs vary based on order size, with individual books starting at $25 and packages including curriculum guides and artist-led virtual or in-person workshops available upon request. 

 

Incorporating books that are diverse and representative in culture and language enriches education by exposing students to the world’s many perspectives, fostering empathy, curiosity, and respect. Multilingual, culturally rooted books validate the identities of students who see their heritage reflected while broadening understanding for all readers. They build literacy across languages, support ESL learners, and strengthen cognitive flexibility. Diverse books also challenge stereotypes, cultivate cultural pride, and prepare students to thrive in a global society grounded in equity, inclusion, and authentic connection.

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Kids crafting in the classroom
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School and Library Programs

Inviting Djenane Saint Juste to Your School

Schools, libraries, and cultural institutions can bring Djenane Saint Juste’s dynamic programs directly to their students. Whether in person or virtually, these sessions inspire curiosity, confidence, and cultural appreciation.

All programs are designed to be interactive, inclusive, and adaptable for PreK–12, integrating literacy, movement, music, and cultural storytelling.

Program Highlights

Read-A-Thon: The Joy of Reading Across Cultures  
A 30-minute interactive session designed to motivate students to read across languages and cultures. Djenane introduces students to her books and shares songs in Haitian Creole, encouraging young readers to discover multilingual authors.

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Author Visit: A Cultural Celebration of LiteracyAn engaging 30–60 minute experience where Djenane reads from her books, shares behind-the-scenes stories, and leads rhythmic activities in Haitian Creole and French. The session may include a Q&A, book signing, and music or movement activity.

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From Page to Stage: A Storytelling WorkshopStudents bring Djenane’s stories to life by adapting them for the stage. This 5–15 day residency blends literacy, vocabulary development, and performance, deepening comprehension through creative expression.

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Konbit: Building Together Through Culture
Inspired by the Haitian concept of community collaboration, this 5–15 day program allows students to explore Djenane’s books through art, music, and storytelling. It concludes with a student-led presentation, connecting cultural understanding to real-world empathy.

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Check out this article about the Normandale Elementary school visit

School and Library Programs

Kids crafting in the classroom
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Read-A-Thon: 
A 30-minute interactive program, designed for a classroom or school, a fun way to encourage students to read throughout their lives. This interactive program can be designed to kick off or conclude the Rea-A-Thon. Djenane's energy will motivate students to read and discover diverse multilingual authors, both inside and outside of the classroom.
 

Author Visit:
An opportunity for the author to interact directly with readers in a way that supports the program while exposing readers to various forms of writing and literacy through storytelling, singing, dancing, and music. This 30-60 minutes program may also be combined with book sales and autograph signings.

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From Page to Stage:
This workshop offers students the opportunity to adapt Djenane's children's books, in whole or in part, for a stage performance, under the author's direction. Lasting five to fifteen days, this workshop develops literacy by enriching vocabulary, encouraging reading, and developing narrative comprehension. It provides a dynamic and engaging way for readers to connect with stories, culture, diversity, and people, and to develop their creativity and self-confidence.

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Konbit:
Is a Haitian Creole term referring to a traditional form of cooperative, communal labor where community members work together to achieve a shared goal. This program embodies the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid inherent in Haitian culture, emphasizing collective action and the power of teamwork. This program allows readers to become familiar with Djenane’s multilingual children’s books by learning about each character. Then, for five to fifteen days, students immerse themselves in Haitian and Caribbean culture through the perspectives of the characters in Djenane’s books, create artwork, music, and movement, and showcase their contributions to real-life social issues.

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After the visit

  • Students have the opportunity to follow-up and to write thank-you letters to the author.  

  • The author would appreciate receiving short testimonials and feedback about the program from teachers, administrators , and family members.

  • The author would appreciate receiving photos and/or videos taken during the program in order to post on her website and social media platform.

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I look forward to partnering with you to share my Haitian and Afro-Caribbean culture, my writing expertise and enthusiasm with your students!

Mèsi Anpil!

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Check out this article about the Normandale Elementary school visit

Planning your visit

Plan

Think about your curriculum needs and how Djenane might best support your goals. Check with your school librarian, media specialist, or literacy specialist first. Invite them to plan with your team. Also include your school’s administration to make sure you have approval and know your school or district’s policies regarding author visits. 

 

Funds

Does your school have funding readily available, or are you in the process to apply for external grants or donations? Be sure to consider financial logistics. For example, does your district require a specific contract, or will your school be able to use the author’s contract? Will you need to involve the literacy or finance department?  Do visiting authors need to be registered as vendors in order to receive payment?  Find out what your school’s budget allows and the timeframe for the payment. Remember that a minimum of 30% of payment is due five days before events and the 70% reminder the day of the program or no later that no longer than five days after the program. Payments can be made via check or on the website.

 

Contact

Once you’ve have your goals, your plan, your team and the funds, reach out to us by responding to the questions below:

  • What type of program you’re hoping for (topic of presentation)

  • Ideal date ranges (keep in mind holiday, testing schedules, and school drills)

  • In-person or virtual visit

  • Time (School day or family evening/weekend event)

  • Location of your school (Parking situation /sign in and sign out policy)

  • Number of presentations (full day visit of 3-4 presentations, half day visit of 2 presentations, one assembly for an entire grade, one school-wide assembly?)

  • Audience (Pre-K, K-12, Family event)/ How many classrooms? How many participants?

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Before the visit

When you and the author have agreed on specifics for the visit, you will let her know dates, presentation expectations, platform (if virtual), recording agreements (can you make a video recording, are photos allowed?), and payment information (preferably in a contract).  It will also be important to let the author know:

  • The schedule of the day, including lunch and transition time so author can prepare between groups

  • Logistics for parking and entering the building (where to check in, get a badge, get a flat cart for moving equipment, etc.)

  • What equipment you have available and the Wifi password as well as the logins for virtual presentations.

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You will need to find out:

  • The author’s  presentation needs (podium, table, chairs, microphone, projector, speakers, etc)

  • Any health concerns

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Prepare

Add the visit to your school calendar and inform all staff as well as organizations like the PTA.  Consider notifying local media as well. 

  • READ and discuss the author’s books with students! This will lay the foundation for a deep experience and maximize the time students have with the author.  

  • Consider building excitement by creating a Countdown Timeline in the hallway. 

  • If you’d like students to have the opportunity to get a signed book, check our website to create student book orders, or to arrange same-day book sales so the author can sign them on site, or in advance. 

  • Determine the locations and equipment needs for the author’s presentation.

  • If the visit is virtual, make sure to schedule and test using the platform with the author before the visit.

  • Have students research the author and/or consult the author’s teacher/student materials.

  • Have students develop questions for the author. 

  • Promote the visit! Perhaps invite classrooms or art classes to make posters. Notify families through emails, flyers, robocalls, etc. with details about the visit. Create Welcome signs for the author or door displays or other arts and crafts based on the author’s books. 

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The Visit

Arrange to have someone greet the author and bring her to the presentation space. 
Make sure:

  • The author has a secure space to put their coat, bags, etc. and a quiet spot if in the building all day. 

  • Technology devices are set up and ready.

  • The author has water.

  • Teachers have students in place before presentations and stay with their students for the duration.

  • The author is notified of any hallway bells or announcements that might occur during the presentation.

  • The author knows any useful behavior signals, such as a school wide ‘quiet’ sign.

  • Students are reminded of respectful behavior rules and the author is properly introduced.

  • Students ask their questions.

  • Everyone enjoys the presentation!

  • The author is thanked and receives payment.  

Man drumming for children

Press & Reviews

“Once you meet Djenane and Fofo you will never forget them. They are like the sun – so bright and beautiful.”
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