TITLES, PUBLISHERS

All titles are Accelerated Reader books.

• Heart of a Tiger Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin) 1995
• The Pumpkin Runner Dial Books (Penguin) 1998
• The Bravest of Us All Dial Books (Penguin) 2000
• Prancing, Dancing Lily Dial Books (Penguin) 2004
• Hugs on the Wind Abrams Books 2006
• Roar of a Snore Dial Books (Penguin) 2006
• Quick, Quack, Quick Random House 1996
• The Chicken Salad Club Dial Books for Young Readers 1998
• Metro Cat Golden Books 2001
• The Tail of Little Skunk Golden Books 2002
• Edward G. and the Beautiful Pink Hairbow Golden Books 2002

AWARDS

Book Reviews

Awards and Honors for Heart of a Tiger

• Ridgway Award — Best First Book
• IRA Children's Book Award — Distinguished Book
• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Houston Chronicle "Best Books of '95 Roundup"
• '98 Missouri Show Me Readers Award Winner
• '98 Washington Children's Choice Award Winner
• '97-98 Young Hoosier Book Award Winner
• SCBWI October 2001 "Book List for Children in Crises"

Awards and Honors for The Pumpkin Runner

• Smithsonian's Notable Book 1998
• Outstanding Book Westchester Library Master List
• Missouri Show Me Readers Award Nominee 2000-2001
• Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee 2000-2001

Awards and Honors for The Bravest of us All

• Atlanta Parent Monthly Best Books of 2000
• Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award nominee, Kansas Reading Association, 2001
• Missouri Show Me Readers Award Nominee 2002-2003
• 2001 Missouri Reading Circle (reading list sponsored by Missouri Reading Assoc.)
• Tennessee Volunteer State Award nominee
• Mississippi Magnolia award nominee

Book Reviews

Awards and Honors for Prancing, Dancing Lily

• IRA-CBC Children's Choices List 2005
• Mississippi Mockingbird award nominee — 2006-2007
• Master Reading List — Missouri 2005

Awards and Honors for Roar of a Snore

• Northern California Book Award nominee — Children's Lit.
• Starred review — School Library Journal

Awards and Honors for Hugs on the Wind

• 2006 Family Choice Award — Family Magazine Group

Awards and Honors for Quick, Quack, Quick

• Over half a million copies sold

Awards and Honors for The Chicken Salad Club

• American Bookseller's Pick of the List
• Notable Social Studies Trade Book 1999
• Maryland Children's Book Award Nominee

Awards and Honors for Metro Cat

• Society of Illustrators "Original Art Show", juried exhibition in NYC, 2001

GRADES

I usually give school presentations to K-6, but I've spoken to groups of all ages. The following are guidelines:

• Pre-school-6th grade — School presentations and assemblies
• K-6th grade — Writing funshops
• All ages for Family Evenings, conferences, library talks, etc.

LENGTH OF PROGRAMS

Length of programs varies with the age and what is desired. Typical lengths are:

• Pre-school — 15 to 20 minutes
• K-6 — 30 to 60 minutes, depending upon grade.
• Family Evenings — 45 minutes
• Writing Funshops — 45 minutes
• In-service for Teachers — 1 to 3 hours

AUDIENCE SIZE

Marsha is comfortable with groups that fill an auditorium (500 or more) to a small classroom of children.

• For school assemblies, 75 to 200 seems optimal.
• For school writing "funshops", 20 to 50 works well.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Marsha weaves storytelling, information on the writing process, and a vivid Keynote slideshow into an informational and inspirational presentation. Presentations are modified in content and detail, according to the group's age.

School Presentations

Presentations for pre-school and Kindergarten usually include a brief time with my puppet, The Lamb who Loves Libraries, and his friend Little Cottontail from my book Hugs on the Wind. I use movement and song whenever possible. Sending hugs on the wind to someone we miss is one popular movement/interactive activities.

Almost all other presentations include all of the following, in some form.

Scribbles and Scraps

We peek inside my idea file, where a jumble of scribbles and scraps live. (Napkins, envelopes, and check deposit slips are some of the more unusual scraps that hold ideas that may someday blossom into books.) I share how I capture ideas and encourage students to begin an idea file of their own.

How a Story Grows

I show the process of creating a book by demonstrating how the story and illustrations evolve from a scribble on a scrap of paper. I emphasize the rewriting process, showing samples of my own rewrites. I show manuscript galleys, press sheets, f & g's, and finally the beautifully illustrated book. I also touch on the changes made in the illustrations. Students enjoy pointing out changes as I display early sketches and the final pictures.

Keynote Slide Show — Ideas are All Around Us

I weave stories about where my book ideas come from with fun information about my family life. Learning the "story behind the story" is an extremely popular part of my presentation. Through the slideshow, students see that ideas are all around them and that they can use these ideas to build stories. My goal is to show students that authors are people just like them. I want them to know they can write books too! It makes me happy when students, like this third grader, say to their teachers, "When I met and heard Marsha, I knew I was going to grow up and become an author."

Readings from my Books

For younger children, I read or storytell one of my early readers or young picture books. Little ones especially enjoy shouting out "Stop that snore!" with me as I read Roar of a Snore. For older students, I always read/storytell favorite parts of some of my picture story books, using interaction and movement when possible.

Rejections and Perseverance

Perspectives on rejection and perseverance are shared, including readings from some of my own heart-wrenching rejection letters. Students are always sympathetic! More importantly, they see how important it is to "keep trying".

There's always time for Questions and Answers and my favorite time, Autographing!

Book Reviews

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

Writing FUNshops

Magic Story Bags (one filled with characters, one with plots, one with settings), Four-line poems about someone special, Message in a Bottle fun, and the Alliteration Game are just a few methods I use to inspire students to write. With the younger students, we play with funny word rhymes, silly word fun, and rhythm beats to get excited about words, reading, and stories.

Artists in the Backyard

In August 2008, I was honored to be one of seven artists invited to be part of Sequoia National Parks Foundation "Artists in the Back Country", the only children's author ever invited. Other artists who have been invited include Pulitzer Prize winner Gary Snyder, Hugo award winner Kim Stanley Robinson, and National Geographic photographer David Liittschwager. This weeklong experience in the high Sierras inspired and touched each artist involved. The program hopes to rekindle the American tradition of enhancing public awareness of and appreciation for our national parks and natural world through the arts.

One of the ways I'm sharing my experience is with "Artists in the Backyard" writing workshops for school children. I demonstrate how my experience of the Sierras and other nature travels is inspiring my own writing. Through images, students see an amazing natural world they may not be familiar with. Through activities and discussion, they become more aware of the natural world near them, in their own communities. They become excited about writing poetry, non-fiction, and fiction stories of the flora and fauna in their own "backyards".

I also share progress on my picture book manuscript, Valentina Cruz — Galapagos Girl, which I am writing about a woman born and raised on the Galapagos Islands. Valentina is now a nature guide and has played pivotal roles in environmental victories on the islands.

My goal with these workshops is for my "Artists in the Back Country" experience to inspire your students, the "Artists in the Backyard", for us all to appreciate and understand the natural world, and to use our artistic talents to share it with others.

Family Evening Presentations

Family Evenings bring the family together for a reading/writing Fun Night that's also educational. These often include a family writing activity, storytelling, and slideshow. A popular activity is for family groups to write a Family Four-line poem together. Nearly every child wants to share their Family poem with the audience, even those who are normally shy. It's an empowering event for all.

Young Writers' Festivals

Recent talks include:

• Storymagicians Young Writer's Exposition, Santa Clara, CA 2009
• How the Natural World Feeds Our Imagination Young Author's Festival, Hays, Kansas 2008

Reading Association and Library Conferences

Recent presentations include:

How Do I Get There from Here?

Marsha provides insights on moving from being an unpublished author to a published author. Besides information on the submission process and writing tips, she shares what to do and what not to do at the beginning of your children's book career. As always, Marsha weaves humor and inspiration into her presentation, which is for teachers, parents, and other adults interested in writing a children's book.

Book Reviews

A WORD FROM MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD

"The book that launched my writing career was Heart of a Tiger. Little Four, a small kitten, has a big dream — to give himself a name like that of the Magnificent Bengal Tiger. Four starts with a dream, chooses a mentor, and finally takes action. These are the steps we all go through when pursuing something of value.

"When visiting schools, I do my best to be not only a literary model, but a warm, friendly, human model. My goal is to inspire students to choose their own unique dreams, select honorable mentors, and take action with confidence."

FEES

$975 plus travel expenses for a full day of 4 presentations/writing workshops and autographing.

If 3 schools in an area book on consecutive days, travel expenses are waived. If 5 schools in an area book on consecutive days, travel expenses and lodging are waived.

Evening presentations are $400.

Virtual visits available.

PRESENTATION SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS

My wish list includes:

1. Students who've read my books and have questions ready to ask. It makes the day much more valuable to them.
2. As large a screen as possible on which to display my Keynote (similar to Powepoint) slideshow.
3. Table or cart for my computer and LCD.
4. Microphone. A lapel mike/wireless lavalier is my favorite. If not available, a microphone that can be removed from a stand, so I might walk around, works. Please check the microphone's sound quality prior to my presentation.
5. Table at the front of the room for books and visual aids.
6. Long extension cord and power strip for two plug-ins.
7. Bottle of water (room temperature is fine).

AUTOGRAPH INFORMATION

I'm delighted to personalize and autograph my books for students and others.

Sometimes there are too many books to let each child present their book individually. In these cases, I'm happy to autograph books between presentations or at my hotel, to be distributed to students later.

An Author Visit information packet is sent to the school at the time of my booking. This packet includes the various ways to order my books and an order form for the school to send home with students. The book order form may also be downloaded from my website, http://www.marshadianearnold.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD

• Biography
• Testimonials
• References

CONTACT INFORMATION

Marsha Diane Arnold
350 McGregor Lane
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Telephone: 707-823-8092
2nd Telephone: 707-292-1171
E-Mail:marshaoak@mac.com
Website: www.marshadianearnold.com

ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I'll happily and promptly answer your questions.

Other Websites

• www.storymagician.blogspot.com
  My Story Magician blog shares glimpses into my writing life and tips for aspiring writers.