"Without reservation, I recommend Ronda Friend, author and songwriter, to visit your school and entertain your students of elementary age. She is a lady full of never ending energy, having the unique talent of storytelling, keeping her audiences focused and engaged in her stories and songs.

"Ronda will bring a lively assembly to your school and your students will talk about her presentation in the days and weeks to follow. She personally autographed all books purchased by our students and even mailed back to us books on order without shipping charges. She is truly passionate about bringing her message of character to your students.

"If you have the opportunity to have Ronda come to your school, don't pass up the invitation. It will be well worth your time and fee involved."

     Patti J. Pitcock
     Principal
     Jarman Elementary
     Tulsa, OK
     pitcock.patti@unionps.org

"Thank you so very much for using your gifts and talents for children! Our children attend Olmstead Elementary School and they were so excited when they came home from school Thursday! They talked and talked about your performance at school that afternoon and were looking forward to that evening too. Your energy and presentation are so wonderful and I was so 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!

"The themes of your books are so welcomed since there are some books not worth picking up for children to read. My husband and I commend you for your hard work! As a 3rd generation farming family we can appreciate your farming connections. Some of your family sounds like some of ours! Thank you once again and we hope to have the opportunity to see you at Olmstead School again!"

     Cindy Taylor
     Parent
     Olmstead Elementary School, KY
     cynthia.l.taylor.ifs7@statefarm.com

"I just wanted to take a moment to say just how much our students, staff, and parents truly enjoyed Ronda's author visit a few weeks ago. Her enthusiasm, passion, and excitement were evident in her performance and impacted our kids on many levels.

"Her emphasis on life skills and student choices fit very well with our counseling and behavior curriculum and further supported our efforts here. She emotionally connected with the kids and modeled strong feelings of joy through sorrow. And, as a writer, Ronda demonstrated how writing about everyday things can be so powerful. This mindset mirrors what we have been teaching our students and encouraging them to write about. All of these things, and more, have us wanting her to return to our school the next time 'ya'all' travel west.

"Thank you for taking the time to provide such a wonderful resource and opportunity for our children. They had a wonderful time and are still talking about it weeks later. Thanks for a great visit!"

     Mitch Forsberg
     Principal
     Gypsum Elementary School
     Gypsum, CO
     mcforsberg@eagleschools.net

"Thank you so much for coming to South Baldwin County and being such an inspiration to our students, teachers, and staffs in our area with your excellent presentation, 'Down On Friendly Acres.' Our office has received wonderful 'reviews' from students and teachers. The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation was so very proud to have sponsored your presentation and would highly recommend you to any organization that inquires.

"Many students have sent lovely cards to our Chamber Foundation office stating that they 'want our Foundation to bring Mrs. Friend back next year.' Teachers and Principals were very enthusiastic for the fact that your presentation and books were right in line with their Character-Based Education Programs and Accelerated Reading Programs.

"Your energetic, fun-filled, and entertaining presentation was truly unique. Thank you again for coming to South Baldwin County and inspiring our students and our community."

     Jeanette Lawrence
     Development
     South Baldwin Chamber Foundation
     Foley, AL
     jeanette@southbaldwinchamber.com

"I want to thank-you for your spirited visit to Liberty Elementary School! Our students were thrilled with your presentation as you 'brought your characters to life'. Your visit encompassed strong character building skills, as well as accenting the literary merits of writing. I will never know how you were able to present with such energy throughout an entire day, but we are surely appreciative and I know the students will never forget you.

"It is my pleasure to recommend you highly for any educational institution, as your presentation spoke to 'all ages.' "

     Jimmy J. Stephens
     Assistant Principal
     Liberty Elementary School, TN
     jim.stephens@cmcss.net

"We recently had the pleasure of having Ronda Friend with us at Barnes Elementary in Owasso, Oklahoma. Ronda presented two programs for us, one for the primary grades and the other for our older students. I was amazed at the interest the students had for the entirety of the assembly. Ronda is an outstanding communicator with kids and her background gives her tremendous ability in delivering a positive message to students.

"Ronda's books became alive as she relived experiences in her life that are related in her writings. Positive character-development traits are prominent and are very relevant for our students today.

"Ronda is a vibrant, energetic author that would be worthy of your consideration. You would not be disappointed."

     David Riggs
     Principal
     Barnes Elementary
     Owasso, OK
     riggsd@owasso.k12.ok.us

"The best presentation we've ever had at UCPS. It's so good to know that today's child can still be motivated to learn through the use of 'GOOD OLE STORIES' from down on the farm. Too often they only seek out media from today's cybernet world. It's really refreshing to see the enjoyment on the faces of both child and adult as R. Friend educates and entertains."

     Jimmie Gay
     Media Specialist
     Union County Primary, GA
     jgay@union.k12.ga.us

"I just LOVED you coming to our school. I had just decided that Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew Series) was my favorite author. After I met you, I changed my mind! You are my favorite author! You teach about the good things in life in your books. You teach us how to make a bad situation seem good. I'm starting to read, 'Swallows Her Pride' and I'm LOVING it! I can't put it down!"

     Katie B.
     Student
     Amy Beverland Elementary, IN

"Thanks for the warm fuzzies to our budding writers and your information and links! We are always thankful for new ways to make writing FUN for students! Awesome entertainment for ALL ages! Ronda wowed our faculty and motivated our students prior to a school-wide writing activity and the Tennessee state writing assessment. Her enthusiasm and professionalism blended in well with our standards-based curriculum."

     Diana Hara
     Academic Coach
     Liberty Elementary, TN
     diana.hara@cmcss.net

"Thank you for your presentation this morning. Our students were enthralled with your presentation! Comments heard in the hall included... 'I loved her songs... Can you believe she put clothespins on her nose... I liked how she knew all about kids and their feelings.'

"Your message of character education traits is especially timely in our world of school today. This was by far one of the best author visits Blossomwood has ever enjoyed."

     Dr. Cathy Vasile
     Principal
     Blossomwood Elementary, AL
     cvasile@hsv.k12.al.us

"I wanted to thank you very much for coming to my children's school and making them feel so incredibly special. It is the conversation piece for them both any time they get the chance to tell it. 'A famous author came to my school and called me on stage and then I got a signed book.' They are so excited and will be reading your book with me when they get back from their vacation. You really made a big difference in Jordan's life. He wants to read more and more and more now and actually asks to do it. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."

     Melissa Weidle
     Parent
     Heritage Elementary, TN
     melissa_weidle@dell.com

"You visited Donovan Intermediate in Lebanon, Ohio. not too long ago and my son Stephen is enjoying your books. Stephen has finished the books, Swallows Her Pride and Time Out at Home. He loved reading your books. Stephen said 'I learned something out of these books. These books help you be a better person. I like it when I learn stuff like this and she makes it so funny. Can we get the rest of the books?'"

     Pam Gazley
     Parent
     Donovan Intermediate, OH

"What a wonderful surprise and experience we had when Ronda Friend visited Waynesville Elementary in Waynesville, Ohio in April, 2005. We were thrilled with her performance to our students. Our students never lost focus on her — all grade levels. Her books are being enjoyed by all students and they are never available in our Media Center — always checked out. Her love of her family, life, and reading was readily accepted by our students and staff. We will definitely have Ronda Friend back to our school."

     Linda Benson
     Librarian
     Waynesville Elementary School, OH
     waes_lcb@SWOCA.NET

"I wanted to thank you for the wonderful story-telling performance you gave to our student body last Thursday. Your enthusiasm, sincerity, and entertaining style were enjoyed by everyone, adults and students alike. I have heard many positive comments about your visit from students of all ages. My twelve-year old son, David Hugh, was touched by your emotion during the performance."

     Suzanne Keefe
     Assistant Principal
     Lara Kendall Elementary School, TN

"Every child should have the opportunity to meet the character 'R. Friend' through the eyes of author, Ronda Friend. Ronda is a gifted author and storyteller. In a recent visit to Jenks West Elementary, Ronda captured students' hearts and piqued their curiosity as she shared her childhood memories portrayed in her book, R. Friend Swallows Her Pride. Our students were completely engaged as Ronda told story after story. Elements of character education (responsibility, honesty, integrity, etc.) are powerful themes throughout the book. In Ronda's presentation, she also shared her own process for writing and gave students time to ask questions, share and reflect upon their own writing. Ronda is an amazing author/storyteller whom you will invite back again and again!

"Our 3rd and 4th graders fell in love with R. Friend and her stories when she visited our school. R. Friend — Swallows Her Pride just does not stay on the shelf in our library!"

     Mary Lou Gill
     Media Specialist
     Jenks West Elementary
     Jenks, OK
     mary.gill@jenksps.org

"R. Friend was wonderful! She was energetic, engaging, and enthusiastic. Her stories would be great to use with character education. Most importantly, the students loved her!"

     Cam Patterson
     Margaret Newton Elementary, TN

"...an exceptionally gifted storyteller! Adults and children alike find her performances entertaining, enlightening, and engaging!"

     Judy Thompson
     Former Fields Service Manager
     Scholastic Book Fairs

"...a master storyteller... students and teachers alike are always spellbound by her performances."

     Judy Beasley
     President
     Tennessee Education Association

"My daughter recently purchased your book R. Friend Swallows Her Pride, when you visited her school at Jenks West Elementary in Jenks OK. We have just finished reading your book and loved it. I appreciate your wholesome stories and wonderful values in your book. Thank you for bringing your family to life for the kids. It was truly a great book to read."

     Dianna
     Parent
     Jenks, OK

"Mrs. Friend you inspired me to follow my dreams and I'm proud to be your friend!"

     Katie
     Student
     Oaklandon Elementary
     Indianapolis, IN

"We had of course never seen your books before and were so excited to learn about them. But we had NO idea of how addicting they would be. I read an entire book to both girls, ages 6 and 11 — yesterday. Do you KNOW how difficult it is to get ONE of them to sit still that long, let alone BOTH? The fact of the matter is they were GLUED. None of us could put the thing down and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I am certainly glad I got ALL four books, cause I don't think we'd be able to wait to learn what happened to the turkey. We are anxious to read it tonight... we made the PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE! Omigosh! It's like the greatest thing ever!!!"

     Becky, Heather & Hannah Peterson
     Tennessee

"We enjoyed your visit at OLPH last week. Thank you for coming. I found it wonderful that you could reach all our students — K-8th grade. It was thrilling to see our 'big' kids enjoying it as much as the younger students."

     Jenny Hetzler
     School Counselor
     Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
     Chattanooga, TN

"Ronda presented a wonderful and uplifting program to my staff and students... her topics were relevant to our military children. We were encouraged and uplifted by her very motivating message... the audience both laughed and shed a tear. Her message is needed in today's changing world."

     Sandy Meacham
     Principal
     Lincoln Elementary School
     Ft. Campbell, KY
     Sandy.Meacham@am.dodea.edu