Hi, I'm Leigh!

I'm the author of two children's picture books, with more in the pipeline. As a mom and former kindergarten teacher, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful impact children’s stories can have on young minds. As an author, my goal is to write books that not only spark the imagination but also nurture empathy, and cultivate essential life skills through engaging stories and relatable characters. I aim to explore diverse themes and perspectives to broaden young minds and foster a love of reading from an early age.

Recommendations:

"Children's author, Leigh Doest visited Amstelland International School and spent the day reading her book 'Perfectly You' to each class. This book deals with the topic of being different, finding one's voice and the importance of acceptance. Leigh has a warm and friendly manner with the children, encouraged questions and also brought some interactive games to complement the story. I highly recommend Leigh as a visiting author to elementary schools and the book for young readers."

Orla Govaerts - Head of Operations & Administration

Amstelland International School

"The children thoroughly enjoyed Leigh Doest's visit. The session was perfectly pitched to the age group, ensuring every child could engage and take something valuable away. From interactive storytelling to lively Q&A sessions, the children were buzzing with enthusiasm, eager to ask questions and share their own ideas. It was fantastic to see them so inspired."

Claudia van de Laar - Head of Early Years

The British School of Amsterdam

"We were delighted to welcome Leigh Doest to our school for a truly inspiring visit. Her engaging workshops based on her book Perfectly You—a heartwarming story about a flamingo who learns to embrace being different—captivated our students and sparked meaningful conversations. Leigh’s warm and interactive approach encouraged children to celebrate their individuality and understand that it's perfectly okay to be unique. Thank you, Leigh, for a memorable and empowering experience!"

Kay Lennon - Reading Coordinator

Elckerlyc International School

"We had Leigh visit with all our classes and she was amazing and a pleasure to deal with. She kept everyone captivated from age 4 to 12 and you could see her education background shine through with how she engaged with the children. The teachers and children all loved the presentations and activities."

Cyndi Delaney - Head of Library

European School of The Hague

"Really liked how Leigh interacted with our students during the read aloud."

"The fact that she provided activities for kids at the end , decorating your own unique flamingo was wonderful and engaging."

"The choice of book was good , coincidentally it also aligned with our own unit , being yourself , being unique."

"We loved having author Leigh Doest visit our school to share her beautiful picture book Perfectly You! Her reading was engaging and inspiring, and our students were captivated by her message of self-acceptance and kindness."

"Leigh Doest’s visit was such a wonderful experience for our students. Her story Perfectly You encouraged children to celebrate what makes them unique. The students were completely engaged and left feeling confident and inspired."

"Leigh Doest’s visit was a wonderful experience for our students. With our grade 3 and 4 grade levels, Leigh inspired our young writers with simple yet powerful creative writing strategies. Her warmth and encouragement made each student feel like an author in the making."

Various Teachers Present at my Presentations

International School Utrecht

What I offer:

I offer engaging, interactive reading sessions designed for students from kindergarten through primary (ages 4–11). Each visit is tailored to the age group:

Kindergarten to Group 4: I bring stories to life through a fun book reading, followed by a hands-on craft or, for some groups, an interactive quiz.
Groups 5 to 8: I share what it’s like to be an author, talk about the creative process, and give plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Sessions can be arranged for individual classes or larger groups, and I offer both half-day and full-day visits.

Families also have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of my books at a reduced price. Orders can be placed ahead of time through a simple online form with QR code payment, so schools don’t need to handle any administration. I usually pre-sign books before the event to make the day run smoothly, though additional copies can also be purchased on the day.