Marsha Diane Arnold

Marsha Diane Arnold’s first book, Heart of a Tiger, won the Ridgway Award for best first book by a new author. Since then, she’s written ten more picture books and early readers. Her most recent, Roar of a Snore, received a starred review from School Library Journal. Kirkus Reviews wrote: “Rhythm, rhyme, repetition and a charming surprise ending make this a likely winner with the preschool set.” Currently, Marsha is working on a chapter book and has a novel on the back burner. The media has referred to her as “a born storyteller” and “the writer of children’s books adults can’t wait to read to their kids and grandkids.” She is known not only as an award-winning author, but as a powerhouse speaker.

Marsha describes herself as a “late bloomer.” She grew up on a farm in Kansas and attended a two-room country schoolhouse. Her favorite activity was reading; she loved borrowing books from Mr. Donaldson’s 4th-8th grade room. But she didn’t start writing until she began to chronicle the daily adventures of her two young children. This led her to a weekly newspaper column, “homegrown treasures,” which three times won Best Local Columnist awards from the California Newspaper Association.

Marsha has recently been invited to be part of “Artist in the BackCountry.” She is the only children’s author ever to be invited. This Sequoia Parks Foundation arts initiative invites a “cadre of exceptional artists” to participate in a one week summer residency in the backcountry of Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks. One of the goals of ABC is to expose new audiences to work created by professional artists, in order to encourage youth to explore their own artistic sensibilities.




					Roar of a Snore illustrated by Pierre Pratt Dial Books for Young Readers, 2006 ISBN 978-0-8037-2936-0 All of the Huffles are asleep, except for Jack! An ear-splitting snore is keeping him awake, so he decides to investigate. It must be Old Blue or Mama Gwyn. But no! Soon a posse led by Jack eliminates each suspect (Baby Sue, Papa Ben, the twins, the cow, etc.) until the tiny snorer is found. Awards Northern California Book Award nominee – Children’s Lit.; starred review – School Library Journal



					Hugs on the Wind illustrated by Elsa Warnick Abrams Books, 2006 ISBN 978-0-8109-5968-2 Little Cottontail misses his Grandfather, who has gone far across the Great Green Meadow. So Little Cottontail creatively uses nature to invent ways to stay connected, with Wind Hugs, River Jokes, Cloud Smiles, and more. Awards 2006 Family Choice Award – Family Magazine Group



					Prancing, Dancing Lily illustrated by John Manders Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004 ISBN 978-0-8037-2823-3 The cows in Lily’s herd are always dignified as they walk to the barn. But Lily would rather prance and dance. So Lily travels the world, searching for a place where she fits in. An uplifting story for anyone who’s ever felt different from the herd. Awards IRA-CBC Children’s Choices List 2005; Mississippi Mockingbird award nominee, 2006-2007; *Master Reading List; Missouri 2005



					The Bravest of Us All illustrated by Brad Sneed Dial Books for Young Readers, 2000 ISBN 978-0-8037-2409-9 Velma Jean is the bravest one of all. Her sister Ruby Jane is afraid of almost everything. But when a twister blows through their farm, it leaves behind a surprising truth—courage comes in many forms. Awards 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



					The Pumpkin Runner illustrated by Brad Sneed Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998 ISBN 978-0-8037-2124-1 Joshua Summerhayes, an Australian sheep rancher, enters a 500-mile race with his dog, despite people laughing at his strange ways. Based on a true story. Awards 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



					Heart of a Tiger illustrated by Jamichael Henterly Dial Books for Young Readers, 1995 ISBN 978-0-8037-1695-7 Little Four is a small, timid kitten, but inside, he has a big dream – to give himself a name on Naming Day that is as magnificent as the Bengal tiger’s. Awards 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”