TESTIMONIALS
"It was fascinating to listen to Marsha Diane Arnold explain how she collects her ideas for her characters and story lines. Her enthusiasm for words is obvious and I especially like when she reads her wonderful books; they spring to life.
"She was exceptionally gracious about autographing her books and answering questions about herself. She shared with the students about rejections and perseverance; two great lessons for students. Her evening performance had hands on writing lessons, which were enjoyed by all.
"Marsha was excellent with all ages and able to fascinate the k/1 graders with her charming hand puppets, getting right down to their level. She is very good with 4th & 5th graders as well; answering questions with charm, perception and exactly the right tone and twist for the students to get her meaning.
"Our library has been very fortunate to have had many authors visit us over the years and we have without a doubt enjoyed Marsha Diane Arnold as one of the best. The Library staff highly recommends that you invite Marsha to your school to excite and inspire your students about storytelling, writing and reading."
Sincerely,
Agnes Marie Dill
Library Clerk
Coalinga Elementary Library
Coalinga, CA 93210
"On behalf of Milan Elementary School and Milan Middle School, I would like to THANK YOU for a truly enjoyable two days. How fabulous you were! You did a marvelous job of getting our students fired up about reading and challenging them to become writers themselves.
"Your presentations were right on target with all age level groups. And your books are never on the shelves. What wonderful stories!!
"We all loved you and thank you for what you brought to our schools.
"Continued success with your writing and keep those "great stories" coming. We all can't wait till the next one comes out!"
Connie Coyle
Milan Comm. School
Milan, Indiana
"We enjoyed your visit very much! Several of the teachers felt you were the best author we have ever had. The kids love your books. We'll have you come again after you finish your chapter book."
Mary Lou Pennington
First Presbyterian Weekday School
Northridge, CA
"We truly enjoyed your coming. You offered our children so much in the time you were with us. You are a brilliant speaker and you did a superb job of explaining the process an author goes through in getting a book to publication. The children were fascinated!"
Dr. Peggy Hoffman-Schmidt
Principal
Neubruecke Elementary School
Baumholder, Germany
"How fabulous you were in your visit to our school and with your interaction with our students! Without a doubt you are the best we have ever had visit our school. Your 'on their level' presentation was superb and your interaction with the students and reaction to them and their questions was simply perfect. I helped judge the bookmark contest and the little 4th grader who won with his Lily bookmark came down after school on Friday and gave me a hug and thanked me... and for him this is so uncharacteristic. He told me with such a beaming grin that he had given you the bookmark. His buttons were 'popping'... and like I said this is so uncharacteristic... he has always been so timid and quiet... I was so happy for him and for what I knew this experience was going to mean in his life... it was just such a positive experience for our entire school... and YOU brought that to us... Thank you so much! Again I want to say how much we all loved you and thank you for what you brought to our school and the lasting memories that will linger in all of our memories through the coming years. Continued success with your writing and keep those 'great books' coming... we all love your work!"
Sincerely,
Cheri Balls
Phillipsburg, Kansas
"Wanted to let you know that we had rave reviews about your visit. Everyone enjoyed it immensely."
Marcella Pollman
Troy Primary School Librarian
Troy, Missouri
"We really enjoyed having you visit our school. The students are still talking about it and I can't keep your books on the library shelves. :) One class was so excited after your presentation that when they got back to their classroom, they immediately told their teacher they needed to make their own scribbles and scraps files. So, of course, that's what they did. They now have their own folder that they decorated and named, and they keep their writing ideas in the folder. Thank you so much for visiting our school. It was a memorable experience for all of us."
Cindy Matzat
Library Media Specialist
Branson, MO
"Mrs. Arnold was extremely gracious in signing autographs and posing for pictures with students. Her interactions with my K-4 elementary students were very patient and kind. Her presentation offered interactive materials for students and she encouraged and inspired sharing of ideas during her question and answer time. Students were mesmerized as she read Prancing, Dancing Lily. I have been honored to work with Mrs. Arnold at the Missouri Association of School Librarians Spring Conference where she received the Show Me Readers Award, a children's choice award, for Heart of a Tiger. Her love of children and books and her quiet appeal make her an inspiring professional of high quality to speak at any educational level. (Can you tell, I think she is awesome!)"
Paula K. Giles
Librarian
John C. Thomas Elementary
Nixa, Missouri
"The kids at St. Andrew's are still talking about how much fun they had meeting you, listening to your stories, and learning about writing. We have had a run on the library copies of your books with waiting lists for each!"
Jeannie Chunn
Lower School Librarian
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Jackson, Mississippi
April 2007
"Thank you for sharing Bravest of Us All and your own stories of courage yesterday. The principal, teachers and students are just raving about your visit. You very successfully reached our students and got them excited about writing their own stories. We really appreciate the time and thought you put into your presentation and your willingness to 'go with the flow' with our tight squeeze into the library. Arundel was very fortunate to have you visit yesterday!"
Mary Giani
Arundel School
San Carlos, CA
"Students and staff were overwhelmingly positive about Marsha's visit at our school! Her writing resonates on many levels, so it touches people regardless of their age or stage in life. Her presentations are lively, geared for individual audiences, and kept students interested and actively involved. Marsha is wonderful to work with. It was a delight to have her here."
Marj Jackson
Library Media Specialist
Hawthorn Hill Elementary
Lee's Summit Missouri
"I have received wonderful comments from teachers, students and parents about how much they enjoyed your presentations. We loved how you interacted with the children and included them. I'm sure they will always remember Lily and the conga line, Boom, Boom, Boom.
Andrea Wang
PTA Authors' Day Chairperson
Rancho Elementary School
Novato, California
"You made your books come alive with the background you gave the audience and the telling. You did a marvelous job explaining what it takes to write a book and get it published. You had many different ages in the audience, yet you kept them all intrigued. I could see them all thinking, 'Hmmmm... I may want to write a story some day about a person or event in my life.' My favorite part of each of your programs was that after showing the slides, talking about writing, and answering all sorts of questions, there was always one tiny little voice that asked, 'Please read us another story.' No one can doubt your stories are great when you're asked for more! (Just like dessert.)"
Maggie Preiss
Coordinator Children's Services
St. Charles City-County Library District
St. Charles, Missouri
"What a wonderful time we had when you visited. Your presentation was terrific. We all enjoyed you so much. The children are still talking about you and I have promised them that we will invite you again!"
Betty Brown
Librarian
St. Timothy's Lutheran School
San Jose, California
"On Tuesday, I got to watch the awe in my students' eyes as they got to meet a "real" author. I got to listen to their honest laughter as they enjoyed learning the background of your humorous stories. I got to see their eyes light up when they received the books that you had taken the time to personally autograph for them. And finally, I got to see the excitement and the belief in their own writing back in the classroom. It was truly an awesome and inspiring experience for the students and the teachers. We hope you'll come again."
Heather Ostenberg
2nd grade teacher
Cedar Creek Elementary
"Our students thoroughly enjoyed your visit! Your presentations were enlightening and right on target with student age levels. It has been two weeks since your visit, and students and teachers are still making positive comments. They particularly appreciated your willingness to share the rejections you experienced prior to your huge success with Heart of a Tiger. Your message about perseverance was a perfect compliment to our character education program. When kids hear adults talk about how they deal positively with rejection, it gives them the strength to endure rejection themselves. Thank you for a most rewarding appearance at our school!"
Karen McKarnin
Library Media Specialist
Underwood Elementary
"You presented a wonderful program at our school. It truly delighted the children to hear about the creative development of a book. The teachers commented that you were the best author we have ever had at our school! You brought books to life for our children!"
Beth Smith
Library Media Specialist
Westview Elementary
Lee's Summit, Missouri
"I wanted to drop a note to let you know what a lasting impact your visit last year had on our students. You are the focus of our current first grade author study, and I'm amazed at how many students remember you and details of your visit from last year (they were in kindergarten!) I still have frequent requests for your books by older students and they love to point out your autograph and tell me which of your books they have at home."
Linda Carr
Shawnee Heights Elementary
Topeka, Kansas
"I enjoyed Lily's cosmopolitan education and soul seeking in the benevolent hands of the whole world. I'm sure your book will move like an easy breeze of enlightenment through Convent of the Sacred Heart when I give it to my goddaughter in August. Before then, I will have re-read it many times for pleasure (and to be able to discuss it with her deftly). Congratulations on a happy book that lifts the reader's eyes to the horizon."
Mike Russell
Kentfield, California
"I was finally able to nab Lily from the check-ins at the library (a very popular book! I caught it between "holds"). I was udderly delighted. I'm taking it with me Saturday to read to my grandson. It will play perfectly into what we're doing together. I "adopted" a cow named Velveteen for him, through Stonyfield Farm, and he's all excited about HIS cow and stuff about cows. Lily will be a beautiful variation on a theme. After we read Lily, we'll try a conga line . . . if not to the barn, maybe to the bathtub. Great book! It combines so many aspects: music, travel, farm life, psychology, et al."
Trish Kaspar
Educator and author
"Thank you for coming to speak and for sharing your love of writing with the kids! When we got home, my son Josh said, 'Mom, do you know what I'm going to be when I grow up?' I said, 'A writer?' He replied, 'YES!!' He's shy and I know when you talked about being shy as a child, it helped! Thank you so much!! We love your books, and can't wait for more!"
Trish Cline
Parent
Lee's Summit, Missouri
"When I met and heard Marsha, I knew I was going to grow up and become an author."
Victoria
Third grader
Phillipsburg, Kansas
"When I think about her books, it's like I am in a magical place. I love books that make me happy. When my teacher read "Metro Cat", I started to smile."
Jasmine
Avenal, California
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD