Captain Smiley School visits Menu

For schools, libraries and community events

Invite Kerry Phillips to your school.

Kerry is the author behind Captain Smiley, the superhero who listens. He reads from the book and talks with children about its big idea: it’s okay to say how you feel.

His message is simple: listen to children, and give them room to express their emotions.

Send an inquiry Meet Kerry Phillips
Kerry Phillips stands at the back of a classroom beside a life-size Captain Smiley cut-out, with about thirty-five children seated on the floor in front of him, smiling at the camera.

What the stories explore

  1. Naming big feelingsAce says how he feels before anyone fixes anything.
  2. Listening firstCaptain Smiley gets down to Ace’s level and listens.
  3. Solving it togetherThe friends try ideas until one works.
  4. Friends and a new languageComing in Book Two.
Ace, frowning and red in the face, says how he feels. Below, Captain Smiley kneels beside him, smiling, one hand open. Captain Smiley: “Do you need help finding your words?” Ace: “I feel bad. I feel mad. I really just want my frisbee back.” Captain Smiley: “That’s excellent, Ace. Now, let’s see what we can do!”

Who Kerry has spoken with

  • Preschool classes
  • Elementary school classes
  • School career days
  • Families at bookshops

Visit highlights

  • Kerry Phillips stands in a bookshop with a mother and her young daughter, who is holding a copy of the Captain Smiley book.

    Where it all began

    Captain Smiley’s first speaking engagement

    U.S. Virgin Islands

  • Kerry Phillips stands at the front of a room holding his pages, speaking to children who sit on the floor listening.

    School visit

    Pineview Elementary School

    Tallahassee, Florida

  • Kerry Phillips stands at the back of a classroom beside a life-size Captain Smiley cut-out, with about thirty-five children seated on the floor in front of him, smiling at the camera.

    School visit

    West Smiths Station Elementary School

    Smiths Station, Alabama

  • Kerry Phillips, in a blue T-shirt, talks with a group of students gathered around his table at a career day.

    Career day

    WFSU PBS Kids Career Day

    Tallahassee, Florida

  • Kerry Phillips stands in a children’s bookshop in front of a painted tree mural while small children and parents sit on the rug around him.

    Bookshop story time

    Midtown Readers

    Tallahassee, Florida

  • Kerry Phillips stands smiling behind a group of young children in a classroom decorated with an alphabet frieze.

    Preschool visit

    With a preschool class

Where Kerry has spoken

Schools

  • Pineview Elementary SchoolTallahassee, Florida
  • Beulah Elementary SchoolBeulah, Alabama
  • W.O. Lance Elementary SchoolLanett, Alabama
  • West Forest Intermediate SchoolOpelika, Alabama
  • West Smiths Station Elementary SchoolSmiths Station, Alabama

Career days

  • WFSU PBS Kids Career DayTallahassee, Florida
  • Brownsville Preparatory Institute Career DayTallahassee, Florida

Bookshops

  • Midtown ReadersTallahassee, Florida
  • Undercover Books and GiftsSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Send an inquiry

Share a few details about your school or organization. Timing and audience are optional.

What happens next. Kerry talks through format, audience, availability and fees with each organizer.

In your email, include:

  • your name, and your school or organization
  • your city and state or region
  • the timing and audience you have in mind, if you know them

Email Kerry about a visit[email protected]

For adults organizing visits. Please don’t include personal information about students.