A school administrator, standing near the stage, piped up: "This is their education."

Indeed. Sís was invited to the International School of Prague (ISP) in late November as a part of the campus's Centers for Excellence, a series of unique programs and projects designed to promote academics, fine arts and physical education.

The focus of this year's Centers for Excellence is on the arts and literature. Sís spent nearly a week at the school, giving lectures, workshops and, of course, a few book readings.

"I really thought he'd have an appeal to all our students," said Karen Ercolino, a 12th-grade teacher at ISP, who originally suggested bringing the author to Prague. "It's been really great."

In addition, Ercolino added, "The middle school students are writing stories with pictures. ... Having him here really enriches their experience."

Enriching the learning experience is a key goal for Centers for Excellence. Last year, for example, the focus was on science, and the school invited NASA astronaut Mark Polansky to come talk with students. Polansky, who returned to space last month, worked with ISP kids during their health and physical education classes.

"This program allows our students to participate in exceptional programs that are beyond the realm of the school's operating budget," said ISP spokeswoman Jana Krchová. "They get an opportunity to meet and work with fascinating guest [lecturers.]"

Later this spring, the school plans to do a Center for Excellence on African drums and dancing in an effort to promote multicultural music learning, Krchová said.

Funding for Centers for Excellence comes from "generous donations," Krchová said, adding that the school also holds fund-raising drives to support these programs. The Polansky visit was the first center the school held. It was such a hit with the student body that ISP teachers immediately began brainstorming ideas for the following year, which is when Sís' name came up.

Ercolino remembers students were "so excited" when they heard the author had agreed to come. Many of his books — Madlenka, Tibet Through the Red Box and Starry Messenger — are in the school library and "there was just immediate recognition," Ercolino said.

Many of Sís' stories talk about what it's like to live in a foreign country, an experience familiar to many ISP students.

"Mr. Sís also shared his views on how we choose our profession and destiny — or how they choose us," Krchová said. "His life story itself was very inspirational for all our upper-school students. The applause Mr. Sís received was, by far, the greatest our theater [ever] witnessed by this group of students."

Sís, who has two young children of his own, said his visit to ISP was fun, but exhausting.

"I used to do [lectures] all the time, but I haven't done it in years," Sís confided during a brief break in the teachers' lounge.

Why did he give it up?

"I just think I have nothing more to say," he said.

He was willing, however, to make an exception for ISP.

"Here it was special, because it was Prague," Sís said.