I just finished putting information packets and Letters of Agreement in the mail to Missouri and Texas schools. I'd love to add schools to these visits, so if you live in Missouri or Texas and would like me to visit your school, let me know. I'm currently booked in Missouri the week of March 21st and would love to stay for the week of March 28th. I'm booked in Fairfield, Texas (Dallas area) on May 5th and would love to be there at least a week.

Of course, if you're not from Missouri or Texas, I'd love to see you to. Just contact me through my website, www.marshadianearnold.com

Everyone's a Story Magician

My SCBWI regional advisors, Erin Dealey and Patti Newman arranged for a videographer to video the Norca group. It was scary, but a wonderful learning experience. I hope lots of teachers and librarians invite me to their schools, so lots of kids will learn the Storymagician rap.

Everyone's a Story Magician

"Roar of a Snore" in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

This is surprising, but I don't think I've mentioned the fabulous honor of Roar of a Snore being selected for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  I got a letter from Dolly herself in May!

This is one reason I like Google Alerts.  It reminds me of things and it tells me about events like this reading, where my book was read to a classroom in Tennessee.

Thank you Dolly.  Thank you Peggy.

Roar of a Snore in Tennessee

"Roar of a Snore" in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Thanks for a great time, San Anselmo Montessori!

Today I visited SAMS for the third time in 6 years.  It's always a delight. What a beautiful setting, dedicated teachers, and lovely children.  I shared my book ROAR OF A SNORE, then the young story magicians, ages 3-6, helped me write ROAR OF A SNORE II, set in a zoo with a new main character, Josie Jo.  A roomful of imagination!  The school gives each student a book, which I had the pleasure of signing.  We should all be grateful to schools like SAMS for giving young minds such a healthy beginning.

Thanks for a great time, San Anselmo Montessori!

HUGS ON THE WIND on RippleReader.com

Hugs on the Wind is available as an e-book on Ripple Reader. You can record your voice, so that your little reader can hear you reading the story to them. What a great concept. Hugs on the Wind is a lovely bedtime story. Little Cottontail misses his grandfather and all they shared. As he plays in the meadow, he thinks of ways that the wind, stars, stream, and trees can help him send hugs, kisses, and other messages to his grandfather. The story is about being separated, making the story meaningful to any child who misses a loved one. Here's the link: http://www.ripplereader.com/Book.aspx?id=1386&Title=Hugs%20on%20the%20WindAND

HUGS ON THE WIND on RippleReader.com

Demmitt Elementary in my Top Ten

I've visited hundreds of schools and thousands of students over the years. Demmitt Elementary is now in my Top Ten. I love you Demmitt Elementary students, educators, and parents. I'm so lucky I got to spend 3 whole days with you.

Their welcome included a limo ride to school, a beautiful calla lily plant (which I'll be planting in my California garden soon), and a welcome assembly which included a conga line, welcome song, and full-blown production of my book ROAR OF A SNORE (http://tiny.cc/qc3xh), complete with orchestra led by virtuoso music teacher, Melinda Wissel. Wow! Double Wow!

Below are some of the dedicated teachers of Demmitt. Beth Green, who started the wheels in motion and invited me to Ohio, is to the left of me. She's a lady who makes things happen!
Because of Beth, the students had skyped with me prior to arrival. The fabuloso teachers encouraged the students to write about my suggestions. Writing projects lined the halls.
Students chose their own name, like Little Four did in HEART OF A TIGER.They wrote ROAR OF A SNORE II with Molly Olsen as the main character and a brand new setting. A series is beginning!Fourth graders made journal entries about their trip to Camp Kern,a la"Artists in the Backyard'. They also chose their favorite of my novel beginnings, explained why, and designed book covers for my "hopefuls". Thank you! You're inspiring me onward with my writing.The students and I had two days of Funshops. What a pleasure to spend two whole days with small groups. We had fun with writing games, word play and writing stories. Boy, did those kids write. What grand creators.












And can those Ohioans cook! Yum. The first day I had lunch with students. Check out the animal cupcakes made by Super PTO Vice-President, reminiscent of animals in ROAR OF A SNORE.







The next two days, teachers provided scrumptious lunches. Melanie Huffstetler, teacher and Cake Lady, baked the most delightful creation, a HUGS ON THE WIND cake. A perfectly beautiful and perfectly delicious dessert. You can find more of her amazing work at www.mels-celebrations.com.A bushel full of thank yous to the Demmitt community. I wish that you each find your unique style like PRANCING, DANCING LILY, do what you love like THE PUMPKIN RUNNER, and follow your dream like Little Four in HEART OF A TIGER. You are each a wonder!

Demmitt Elementary in my Top Ten

GREETINGS, DEMMITT ELEMENTARY

Hello students of Vandalia, Ohio! I'm so excited about skyping with all of you this month and visiting you in person next month. Your fabulous Beth Green has been planning and emailing with me for weeks. We will have lots of fun writing, imagining, and creating.

I have fun planned for you already. First of all, I'd like you to look at my March 7th entry "please choose your favorite story idea". Then choose. My children are grown-up, so it helps me to know what kids your age are thinking and what you like.

Secondly, I'd like you to think about two things: your dreams and doing what you love. These two actually go hand in hand.

Have you read my book, Heart of a Tiger? In it the kitten Four has a big dream. On his Naming Day, he wants to give himself a name like that of the magnificent Bengal Tiger. But if he chooses such a name, he can only keep it if all the other animals agree it's a fair and honest name. The name he gives himself is the name he'll live with for the rest of his life.

If you could choose your name on Naming Day, what would your name be? Think about it. It's a big decision.

Have you read my book, The Pumpkin Runner? In it, Joshua Summerhayes runs a 500 mile race, just for the love of it.

Think about what you do, just for the love of it. What do you love doing?

What would your name be? What do you love doing? Both of these relate to your dreams, what you want to do in life and what you want to be in life. These are big questions. We'll talk more about them when I see you in Ohio.

In the meantime, keep reading, keep writing, and keep doing what you love!

GREETINGS, DEMMITT ELEMENTARY