Gary Bower would love to visit your group.

  • Schools     •LIBRARIES 
•Conferences   •M.O.P.S.

​Wherever children are loved & valued!

Gary is a gifted storyteller & a powerful encourager.
Schools: 
​Gary Bower entertains with high energy, as he ​waters the imaginations of PreK – Upper Elementary students. His humorous and engaging PowerPoint presentations will make your students hungry to read, write, illustrate, and create FUNderful word-play. 
Gary's Powerpoint presentations include:
  • How an IDEA Becomes a BOOK (15 min.)
  • The FUNDERFUL WORLD of WORDPLAY (20 min.)
Each author session may include either Powerpoint presentation, both of them, a short author reading from one of his books, Q & A, or any combination of these to suit your students' and teachers' needs. Sessions normally run about 45 minutes for upper-elementary, a little less for lower-elementary, according to your preference. Students and teachers will have the opportunity to purchase books at a discounted price and have them autographed by the author.  To find out cost, available dates, etc., please fill out the "Request a Date" form and press Submit. There is no obligation, and your info will not be shared with anyone else.

COST: 
  • Within 200 miles of Traverse City, Michigan:  $100 for 1st session, $50 each for additional sessions. 
  • More than 200 miles from Traverse City, Michigan:  $175 for 1st session, $50 each for additional sessions., plus travel expenses (58¢ per round trip mile, hotel only if necessary).
Parent Groups:  
​Gary Bower speaks at many M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) groups each year, as well as men's meetings, libraries, writers' groups, homeschool conferences...anywhere there are adults who care about kids.
He is a gifted storyteller, with the humorous antics of his ​12 children and ​25 grandkids to draw from. Gary encourages as he shares parenting tips from God's time-tested parables and proverbs. Some of his popular topics include:
  • Shaping Your Child's Heart thru Storytime
  • The Power of THE FAMILY BLESSING
  • Teaching Little Ones about Heaven
  • Managing Sibling Rivalry
  • Making Your Holidays Rich (When You Aren't)​
  • Raising Responsible Kids
Gary shares in a natural, "non-preachy" way using down-to-earth stories (of failures & successes), drawing from years of experience, and offering non-threatening suggestions for facing the common daily struggles of parenting. To find out cost, available dates, etc., please fill out the "For More Information" form and press submit. There is no obligation, and your info will not be shared with anyone else.
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COST: 
  • MOPS Groups: Gary speaks to groups in Michigan for whatever donation your group is willing to contribute. Please consider the time and expense it requires to travel round trip from Traverse City. Gary sets up a book table everywhere he speaks. Book sales help make his speaking engagements possible.
  • Retreats, Conferences, and Other Events: Please provide information about your group and event, and Gary will contact you to discuss details for your specific needs.

    REQUEST A DATE:
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An avid Detroit Tiger Fan
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Gary loves his 25 grandkids!
Gary Bower is a former pastor of children & teens. He is also an involved father and grandfather, and a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ.  He is always looking for creative ways to use words and pictures effectively to cultivate deep faith and strong character in young lives.

​Gary has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Fort Wayne Bible College (g.1980). He has written for several publishing companies, including Tyndale House, Worthy Kids/Hachette Book Group, Kregel Publications, David C. Cook, and Storybook Meadow Publishing, which he founded in 1999 and co-owns with his wife, Jan Bower. Gary enjoys sports, yardwork, travel, and of course, word games.

Since 2001, Gary Bower has spoken to thousands of people in hundreds of assemblies, classrooms, and small groups.  He believes that a powerful way to a child's heart is through a story. All of his many beautiful picture books —  some whimsical, some moving and thought-provoking —  are engaging, memorable, and timeless.