This spring, Island Readers & Writers brought picture book and middle-grade author Evan Griffith on a three-island tour, with visits at Islesboro Elementary School, North Haven Elementary School, and Vinalhaven Elementary School. Nature, science, and discovery are at the heart of author Evan Griffith’s books for children. During the spring 2026 semester, IRW featured his… Read more
IRW’s spring semester begins in mid-March, when Maine’s winter begins to thaw and makes travel to the rural parts of the state we serve less of a challenge. Each year, we’re eager to return to schools and see familiar, excited faces. Where will the spring semester take us? Read on! Read more
Each year, IRW onboards new authors and illustrators of books for children to participate in our programs. Books and their makers are chosen by our School Programs team through a process that ensures they’re well matched to our partner schools. We always look forward to introducing new friends to creative, curious kids, talented teachers, and… Read more
Each month in 2026, we’ll feature one of IRW’s Explore More Book Guides (EMBGs). These freely available guides offer everything you need for a deep dive into a book we love. From author/illustrator biographical information to ideas for writing prompts, art projects, further research & text-to-text connections, our embgs have it all. Our January Explore… Read more
Read our Winter Newsletter 2026 for a letter from our new Executive Director, an update on what our staff has been up to through 2025, a Summer Morning in Maine save-the-date, and more! Winter Newsletter 2026 Read more
Two months ago we kicked off the start of IRW’s school season—and what better way to begin than with community, creativity, and a little island adventure! Our first school program of this busy year featured long-time friend and author/artist Kevin Hawkes. Kevin—along with IRW team members Lisa Herrington, Celine Martin, and Courtney Waring—met bright and… Read more
IRW’s School Programs team travels over 8,000 miles a year within the state of Maine—that’s like driving from New York to Los Angeles, realizing you forgot your phone charger, driving home, only to make the journey again…with a detour through Canada, because of course you missed an exit. But that’s not all! They have authors… Read more
IRW’s school program team coordinates every aspect of our author & illustrator visits. But their most important task is simply being present with the kids. Director of School Programs Alison Johnson and Programs Assistant Lisa Herrington visit a lot of classrooms, facilitating more than 50 visits annually within our partner school network of 26 schools. That… Read more
Visiting island schools presents unique challenges. Early mornings, ferry schedules, unpredictable weather—all conspire to make those trips out a true adventure for our author and illustrator partners. IRW is fortunate to have creative friends who embrace the experience of traveling to island schools, both to meet and work with the incredible children who live there… Read more
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P.O. Box 227
Mount Desert, ME
04660
(207) 244-5111
info@islandreadersandwriters.org