This book aims to help library media specialists and teachers build a love of reading and promote reading comprehension, all while experiencing the fun and excitement of an author or illustrator visit. The book provides step-by-step help in organizing actual author/illustrator visits or "virtual" celebrations--including curricular activities. It covers all the necessary steps: from choosing the author/illustrator to obtaining books and resources to helping teachers publicize the event; events can be actual visits, "proxy visits,""read-ins," or visits by e-mail. The book details ways to help gather community support, plus new ways to obtain funding and involve co-sponsors. It includes reproducible forms to help make any event flow smoothly and also contains updated contact and related information in a resource section. Following an introduction, the book is divided into these sections: (1) Benefits of an Author/Illustrator Visit; (2) Getting Organized; (3) Making Decisions; (4) The Author/Illustrator Focus; (5) Making the Day Shine; (6) After the Visit; (7) No Excuses; (8) Forms; and (9) Resources. (Contains an author/illustrator index.) (NKA)