TITLES

Down on Friendly Acres Series

• R.Friend — Swallows Her Pride, #1 (Sunflower Seeds Press)
• R.Friend — Time Out at Home, #2 (Sunflower Seeds Press)
• R.Friend — Hats Off to Heroes, #3 (Sunflower Seeds Press)
• R.Friend — Panic in the PigPen, #4 (Sunflower Seeds Press)
• R.Friend — Woolly Baaad Lies, #5 (Sunflower Seeds Press)

Wild & Wacky Animal Tales Picture Book Series

• PU You Stink! — Wild and Wacky Animal Tales #1 (Sunflower Seeds Press)
• Peanuts, Popcorn, Quackerjacks! — Wild and Wacky Animal Tales #2 (Sunflower Seeds Press) 2010 Release

Love Me to Bed Book Picture Book Series

• #1 — Love Me, Love Me to Bed, 2009 Fall Release

The following picture books are to be published soon:

• *Monkey See, Monkey Do — Wild and Wacky Animal Tales #3
• *Momma, I See Something You Don't See!

*All titles have Renaissance Learning Accelerated Quizzes

GRADES

• K-2
• 3-5
• Middle School

LENGTH OF PROGRAMS

Depending upon the type of presentation, programs can vary from thirty to sixty minutes. Ronda is very flexible and will work with you in using her time and talents to benefit your students and staff.

AUDIENCE SIZE

As a professional storyteller, Ronda masterfully entertains large audiences (300-600 students at a time). Tip: It's important to have a good sound system. Writing Workshops work great with groups of 100 or less. Teacher In-services and Family Nights — the more the merrier!

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Book Reviews

Ronda's high energy, character-based program incorporates storytelling, audience involvement, music, sign language and puppets. Those elements intertwine in a hilarious, heartwarming show that captivates young & old alike. Older than malls, computers, cell phones and video games, Ronda has one thing in common with her audience — she would fuss 'n fight with her siblings. Ronda, as her spirited six-year-old self, remembers Grandma Brombaugh's advice, If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, and attempts to keep the bad words inside her head by placing clothespins on her nose, ears and mouth. The fiasco that follows finds Ronda singing in her time-out chair and learning to swallow her pride. But it's what Duane swallows that is guaranteed to keep you in stitches (don't forget to breathe!) as R. Friend provides a memorable, magical moment for all ages. At the keyboard, R. Friend ends her program with a heartrending song entitled Mommy, I See Something You Don't See, which encourages everyone, no matter what their struggles and challenges may be — Sunshine or rain, always and forever, dare to dance and leap for joy!

Writing Workshops

Turning on the "Spicket" of a Child's Imagination
This workshop is designed to motivate children and inspire them to let the creative juices flow. Living in the South, Ronda takes literary license and uses "Spicket" as an acrostic, then adds alliteration in order for students and staff to delve into seven important steps of creating and writing a great story: The objective is not only to learn great writing skills but to put those skills into action. An innovative card game is used to create incredible, inspiring stories. At the end of the workshop, teachers will be equipped to provide a fun, exciting, creative atmosphere for children of all writing levels.

In-services

Quick, Easy, Creative Ways to Make Books Come Alive
Ronda will highlight dozens of her favorite children's books that build character. She will present practical, easy ways to make books come alive by using class participation, rhythm and song, props and other simple storytelling techniques. Even wallflowers will bloom in this workshop!

Turning on the "Spicket" of a Child's Imagination
See Writing Workshops for description.

Family Nights

Family nights are a blast! Children beg their parents to come to this unforgettable event! Here's what one parent had to say,

"They (her children) talked and talked about your performance at school and were looking forward to the evening. I was glad to see for myself what they were so excited about! Our daughter doesn't usually say too much about things that go on at school but she couldn't stop talking!"

Opening the program with an original song, Memorable, Magical Moments, families will be captivated from the start as they reminisce about their own sibling shenanigans. The evening highlight is when the audience joins in to act out P.U. You Stink! Families (selected and instructed before the program) will don pig, skunk and stink bug costumes as they team up to defeat the evil foxes, Eeeny-Meany, Minnie and Moe who head to Hawg Heaven Farm to eat the piggies. R. Friend's family nights explode with excitement, encouraging families to not only stick together but to read together!

A WORD FROM RONDA FRIEND

"I love books, but more than books, I love children. I grew up in a very loving, caring and somewhat crazy family. Woven into my true tall tales, playful poetry, catchy lyrics and melodic melodies are valuable life lessons on kindness, forgiveness, patience, perseverance, honesty and teamwork. My narrative writings and presentations bring children and adults together using family shenanigans that tickle our funny bones, tug at our heartstrings and bring us all to the realization that no matter what: Families that stink together — stick together!

"My goal is when I leave your children will be motivated to read more, because If you read a lot, you know a lot! Students and staff will be equipped to think outside the box and inspired to write from their hearts. And most importantly, my passion is that children will experience the unspeakable joy of planting seeds of a different kind in others' lives."

FEES

Author fees start at $600.00 (plus reasonable expenses) which includes two assembly programs, meeting the children and signing books. Full-day rate is $1,200 plus reasonable expenses and will include assemblies and writing workshops. In-service rates are $1,200 a day plus expenses. Family nights, in conjunction with a full day, are $295.00. Family nights, when booked separately, are $495 (plus reasonable expenses).

International School Visits: $1,000 per day plus expenses: includes up to three assembly programs, one teacher in-service and one family night presentation.

SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

• One 6-8 foot table
• A kid's chair
• A piano or keyboard
• Large dictionary (preferably Webster's)
• One or two microphones — a lavaliere microphone is best. (Keep extra battery on hand!) If a lavaliere is not available a cordless microphone and/or a long cord with a stand will be just fine.
• A white board or easel is needed for family nights, workshops and in-services.

Author Visit Packet: Author packets will be sent out to your school approximately six weeks before a scheduled visit. Packets include:

• Sample books
• Posters
• Book order form
• Ideas to make the most of an R. Friend author visit
• Introduction to the colorful characters in the Down on Friendly Acres Series
• Set-up and equipment requirements
• Photos
• Press release information

AUTOGRAPHING INFORMATION

Book Reviews

Ronda brings her own books. She loves meeting the children and autographing their copies. Here's how it works. You can download her Book Order Form. Ronda asks that this form be sent home twice before her visit — a copy several weeks before and then another sent home the day before the visit. Forms need to be collected and separated into classes.

Many times, after seeing R. Friend's presentation, children want to order books as well. Ronda suggests that you copy and send home the order form one more time the afternoon or day after her visit. Collect any final orders and mail them to Ronda. She will pay all postage/handling and send back the signed final book orders ASAP.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RONDA FRIEND

• Biography
• Testimonials
• References

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ronda Friend
PO Box 1476
Franklin, TN 37065
Telephone: 615-319-4416
2nd Telephone: 615-646-8024
Fax: 615-807-3999
Email: RondaFriend@RondaFriend.com
Website: www.RondaFriend.com

View Video of Ronda Friend:

Visit our other websites as well:

• Ronda Friend website (author information)
• Sunflower Seeds Press (publishing company)
• Down on Friendly Acres (children's website with writing and art contests)