SELECTED TITLES

• Roar of a Snore (Dial Books 2006)
• Hugs on the Wind (Abrams 2006)
• Prancing, Dancing Lily (Dial Books 2004)
• The Bravest of Us All (Dial Books 2000)
• The Pumpkin Runner (Dial Books 1998)
• Quick, Quack, Quick (Random House 1996)
• Heart of a Tiger (Dial Books 1995)

AWARDS

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"

Book Reviews

• Missouri Show Me Readers Award Winner
• Washington Children's Choice Award Winner
• Young Hoosier Book Award Winner
• SCBWI "Book List for Children in Crises"

The Chicken Salad Club

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

The Pumpkin Runner

• Smithsonian Notable Book
• Outstanding Book Westchester Library
• Missouri Show Me Readers Award nominee
• Arkansas Diamond Book Award nominee

The Bravest of Us All

• Atlanta Parent Monthly Best Books
• Bill Martin, Jr. Award nominee, KRA

Book Reviews

• Mississippi Magnolia Award nominee
• Missouri Show Me Readers Award nominee
• Missouri Reading Circle
• Tennessee Volunteer State Award nominee

Metro Cat

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

Prancing, Dancing Lily

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

Roar of a Snore

• Northern California Book Award in Children's Literature nominee

Hugs on the Wind

• 2006 Family Choice Award

GRADES

I usually speak to K-6, but have also presented to grades 7-12 and pre-schoolers. I enjoy speaking to all ages.

LENGTH

Twenty minutes for the very young up to an hour for older audiences.

AUDIENCE SIZE

I'm flexible and like to meet the school's needs. I've spoken to 20 students to over 400. I most enjoy speaking to groups of 75 to 125 in a library setting as it's more intimate.

PROGRAMS

Kansas students celebrate Prancing, Dancing Lily with a conga line.

Marsha weaves storytelling, information on the writing process, and a vivid PowerPoint slideshow into an entertaining and inspirational presentation. Presentations are modified in content and detail, according to the group's age. Almost all 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 illustration changes; students enjoy pointing out changes as I display early sketches and the final picture.

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!

Readings from my Books: For younger children, I read or storytell one of my early readers or young picture books. Little ones especially enjoy helping me read Quick, Quack, Quick, chiming in whenever Mama Duck calls "Quick, Quack, Quick!" For older students, I always read or storytell favorite parts of some of my picture story books.

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!

OTHER PROGRAMS

Writing FUNshops: Magic Story Bags (one filled with characters, one with plots, one with settings) and Four-line poems about someone special are just two methods Marsha uses to inspire students to write.

Family Evening Presentations: To bring the family together for a reading/writing Fun Night that's also educational. These usually 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!

Young Writers' Festivals

Reading Association and Library Conferences: Marsha recently presented Rhythm and Rhyme — Music of the World at San Francisco's Reading the World Conference. She will be presenting at the California Reading Association in November 2007.

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.

Artist-in-Residence (one week stays)

FEES

$975 plus travel expenses for a full day of 3-4 presentations/writing workshop and autographing.

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

Evening presentations are $400.

A WORD FROM MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD

Book Reviews

"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. I know from children's comments that some see me as a mentor, just as Little Four saw the Bengal Tiger as a mentor. I do my best to provide not only a literary model but a warm, friendly, human model when I visit schools. My goal is to inspire students to choose their own unique dreams, select honorable mentors, and take action with confidence. Part of taking action with confidence lies in learning skills and part lies in knowing that success requires perseverance. That's why I read my rejection letters to students and assure them rejection is part of success. In my presentations I encourage students to strive toward and express their own unique dreams, whatever they may be. But it's particularly heart-warming when I hear from students who love writing, like ten-year-old Victoria. 'When I met and heard Marsha, I knew I was going to grow up to be an author too."

PRESENTATION SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS

My wish list includes:

Students who've read my books and have questions ready to ask. It makes the day so much more valuable to them.

I also need:

1. Big screen on which to display my Keynote (similar to Powepoint) slideshow.
2. Table and cart for my computer and LCD.
3. Long extension cord and power strip.
4. Microphone for big rooms (a lapel mike is my favorite).
5. Table at the front of the room for books and visual aids.
6. 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. Much information is available on my website at www.marshadianearnold.com.

Book Reviews

REFERENCES

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

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.