NATIONWIDE TIER 1 CAMPUS ENRICHMENT | GRADES K–5
Where Captivating Storytelling Meets Actionable Life Skills.
A 45-minute interactive assembly that combines award-winning literature with practical character building.
Designed to strengthen school culture, boost academic engagement, and teach students to unlock their unique potential.
✓ Storytelling + Workshop: Literature combined with interactive mindset tools.
✓ State-Aligned: Fulfills state ELA & Character Education goals.
✓ Grant-Eligible: Qualifies for Title I, Title IV (SSAE) & PTA sponsorships.
Takes under 60 seconds • No commitment required
CAMPUSES VISITED
Trusted by international and public schools across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
STUDENTS INSPIRED
High-engagement events that keep students laughing, thinking, and participating.
AWARD-WINNING LITERATURE
Based on "Theo Thede" – Top Finalist for the German Children's Book Prize.
Captivating Literacy Experience
I bring literature to life. Your students connect directly with an award-winning author, explore original story artwork, and discover a genuine excitement for reading and creative writing. It’s an engaging, interactive presentation that captivates kids from the very first minute.
✓ Satisfies ELA & Reading Engagement Goals
Actionable Life Skills & Grit
Moving far beyond a standard author reading. Grounded in the core themes of the books (Theo Thede & The Carrot Tree), students actively practice goal visualization, discover their unique talents, and build lasting self-worth. Includes dedicated student workbooks so teachers can seamlessly continue the lessons long after the event.
✓ Aligned with State Character Education Standards
100% Plug & Play for Administration
Zero friction for your school staff. I make hosting an author assembly very effortless for your front office, teachers, and district bookkeepers.
✓ All-Inclusive Flat Rate: All travel, lodging, and physical student workbooks are 100% included — no surprise fees or expense reports to process.
✓ Seamless Scheduling: Sessions fit standard 45-minute bell schedules without disrupting your daily routine.
THEO THEDE
A Story About Dreams, Talents, & Purpose
Recommended For: Grades 3-5 (Upper Elementary)
Key Themes: Overcoming Comparison, Discovering Personal Strengths & Calling
Award Recognition: Top Finalist – German Children's Book Prize
(Deutscher Kinderbuchpreis)
"There is a place waiting for you that only you can fill."
The Story:
Theo feels lost. All of his friends seem to have amazing talents and big dreams, while Theo feels like he has nothing special to offer. But when an unexpected visitor arrives with some encouraging and inspiring questions, Theo sets off on an unforgettable journey to discover his true purpose and hidden strengths.
Why Educators Love It:
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Recognizing True Value: Helps children look beyond comparison and recognize their individual gifts.
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Inspires Purpose: Encourages students to explore their unique talents and passions.
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Classroom Conversation Starter: Perfectly aligns with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) unit goals.
Conny Pony's Adventures
The Carrot Tree
Recommended For: Grades K-2 (Lower Elementary)
Key Themes: Courage, Perseverance, Visualization
"All it takes is courage, belief, and the grit to never give up."
The Story:
Conny Pony dreams of finding a tree filled with carrots. Everyone around her says, "That’s impossible—a carrot tree doesn't exist!" But Conny refuses to let doubts stop her. Together with her friend Carlo the Cat, she sets off on an adventurous journey that proves amazing things happen when you don't give up.
Why Educators Love It:
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Teaches Grit & Resilience: Shows young learners how to keep going even when others doubt them.
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Fosters Growth Mindset: Transforms "I can't" into "I can try!"
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Engaging Storytelling: Playful, beautifully illustrated, and very easy for early readers to follow.
MEET THE FOUNDER & AUTHOR
Born in Austria, Martin Hahn is a published children's book author and international speaker who coordinates his nationwide US campus tours from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Having spent over a decade living with his family in Central Africa, Martin maintains deep roots in Cameroon — frequently returning to oversee educational initiatives while bringing a rich, global perspective to schools across North America.
As a Top 3 Finalist for the prestigious German Children's Book Prize, Martin connects with young audiences through the quiet power of deeply engaging, authentic, and heart-led storytelling.
Martin discovered his true calling while volunteering in West Africa, which led to the creation of his non-profit organization, Happy Kids Africa. Driven by a vision to help children unlock their unique potential, Martin and his global supporters built the Happy Kids Academy in Cameroon in 2018—a heart-centered school dedicated to educating orphans and underprivileged youth.
During the assembly, Martin shares a few photos and brief insights from his school project in Cameroon. By offering an authentic look into the daily lives of their peers across the ocean, he bridges cultures, inspires deep empathy, and expands your students' global perspective.
- Award-Winning Literature: Top Finalist for the German Children's Book Prize, ensuring high-quality narrative depth.
- A Real-World Global Bridge: An Austrian-born author with over ten years of firsthand experience living in Africa, bringing genuine international awareness and global citizenship straight to your campus.
- Captivating & Grounded Presence: Highly skilled at engaging and holding the attention of K to 5th-grade students through meaningful connection and mutual respect.
Extremely valuable for building children's self-worth.
Martin understands perfectly how to captivate the children and bring the core message of the book to life in a child-friendly way. Highly recommended!
The best part about the presentation was how actively involved the children were. Through the interactive exercises, they could truly step into the shoes of the main character.
School is about more than just delivering facts. This program is incredibly valuable because it focuses on strengthening personality, motivation, self-confidence, and helping kids recognize their own unique potential.
Featured School Reports & Media Coverage
Click below to read official press releases and articles from campuses and media outlets highlighting Martin's interactive visits:
What the Students Are Saying:
I learned that we should always treat other people the way we want to be treated.
The story gave me so much courage. Now I really believe in myself!
The assembly was so much fun! I love the book and can't wait to use my workbook.
Target Audience
Perfect for Grades K-5
Duration:
45 minutes per session (Designed to fit seamlessly into a standard school class period or assembly slot).
Group Size & Daily Capacity
To maintain high interaction and personal connection, sessions are optimized for up to 90 students at a time (perfect for combining full grade levels).
Multi-Day Flexibility for Larger Schools: For larger campuses with high student enrollment, I easily accommodate multi-day campus visits to ensure every single grade and student receives the full experience without disrupting the school’s master schedule.
All-Inclusive Campus Packages — Zero Hidden Fees
Turnkey flat rates structured to fit campus activity funds, PTA/PTO sponsorships, and federal grant guidelines (Title I & Title IV-A). All travel logistics, workshop presentations, and full-color student materials are completely included with zero surprise expenses.
The Half-Day Intensive
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Designed for: Smaller campuses or focused grade bands seeking an impactful, compact schedule.
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Format: Up to 2 back-to-back interactive 45-minute workshop sessions (ideal for splitting Lower K–2 and Upper 3–5).
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Materials Included: Physical companion workbooks (16-page, full-color) and bookmarks for up to 250 students ($2 per additional student set), plus a signed hardcover book for your library.
The Full-Campus Day
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Designed for: Standard to large elementary schools wanting an all-school character enrichment experience.
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Format: Up to 5 back-to-back 45-minute sessions scheduled seamlessly into your existing library rotations or master class schedule without disruptions.
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Materials Included: Physical companion workbooks (16-page, full-color) and bookmarks for up to 500 students ($2 per additional student set), plus a signed hardcover book for your school library.
Multi-Day & District Residencies
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Designed for: Large campuses or district coordinators scheduling visits across neighboring feeder elementary schools.
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Format: Multi-day workshop visits customized to school schedules, character goals, and state ELA standards.
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Materials Included: Physical companion workbooks (16-page, full-color) and bookmarks for all participating students, plus signed hardcover books for each campus library.
Funding & Logistics
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Zero Travel Fees: All travel, lodging, and shipping costs are 100% covered within tour dates.
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Funding Eligibility: Fully eligible for Title I, Title IV-A, ESSER/Academic Enrichment, and PTA/PTO funding.
Check Availability & Request a Formal Quote
Select your preferred timeframe for the 2026/2027 School Year.
I will personally review your request and send an official proposal within 24–48 business hours.
Current Tour Availability:
- Fall 2026: Fully Booked ✔️
- Spring Tour 2027: March 15 – May 7, 2027 (Booking Now Open – Limited Campus Slots)
🛡️ My Promise: Your time is valuable. Once submitted, I will immediately cross-reference your dates with my travel schedule. You will receive a customized digital proposal directly to your school inbox.
Prefer direct contact? Reach out anytime via martin@thecharacterquest.com or call/text me at (405) 204-2714
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can our school fund the Character & Literacy Assembly?
A: Bringing this program to your campus is highly accessible. The workshops are fully compliant with national education funding guidelines and can be financed through Title IV, Part A (Safe & Healthy Students) or Title I (Academic & Literacy Enrichment) funds. Additionally, because of the deep focus on character building, this assembly is a premier candidate for PTA/PTO sponsorship.
Q: K and 5th graders have completely different attention spans. How do you keep both engaged?
A: I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all assembly. To respect the developmental needs of your students, I offer two distinct, age-appropriate tracks: one tailored specifically for early learners (K to 2nd Grade) and one designed for upper elementary (Grade 3-5). Each track utilizes customized pacing, specialized visual assets, and targeted interactive exercises
Q: Does this program align with our mandatory school curriculum and state standards?
A: Yes, seamlessly. The workshop is meticulously structured to reinforce your school’s academic and behavioral goals.
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For Literacy (ELA): The presentation directly satisfies state-specific reading engagement standards.
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For Character & Growth: The content is mapped to state-level guidelines for Character Education and behavioral standards.
Q: Is the presenter fully vetted and cleared to work with US school districts?
A: Absolute safety and campus security are my top priorities. I am fully prepared to meet your specific state and district regulatory guidelines. Upon booking, I will seamlessly cooperate with all local fingerprinting and background check requirements—including FACT, CBI, and OSBI clearance systems. Additionally, a compliant Certificate of Insurance (COI) tailored to your district’s specifications will be provided well in advance of the event.
Q: You're an Austrian author living in Africa — will our students easily understand and relate to you?
A: My international background is actually one of the absolute highlights of the visit! I present in clear, fluent, and highly accessible English, carefully well-paced for elementary students. Instead of loud, overwhelming gimmicks, my storytelling connects on a genuine, human level. Giving students a brief look into my school project in Cameroon serves as a powerful, real-world bridge — sparking their curiosity and inspiring true global empathy.
Q: How do you ensure the assembly's message sticks after the event?
A: An assembly shouldn’t be a "one-and-done" event. To guarantee long-term impact, every student receives their own companion Student Workbook—automatically included with every campus visit. Packed with practical exercises on grit, goal-setting, and visualization, it gives your teachers a ready-to-use resource to seamlessly continue the character-building momentum in the classroom.
Takes less than 2 minutes. No commitment required.