Meeting a Friend – Children’s author entertains students

Irving College School principal Mike Mansfield and student Shane Butcher participate with Ronda Friend in the song, ‘Twelve Days of Autumn.’

Ronda Friend is a master storyteller and children’s book author who has captivated the hearts of children for over 30 years. She recently made appearances at Bobby Ray Memorial, Irving College School, Centertown Elementary, Hickory Creek Elementary and West Elementary, making huge impressions on all who caught her program.

‘We had a wonderful assembly with Ronda Friend. She presented a show that many of our students could relate to, especially, the parts about sibling rivalry,’ said Bobby Ray principal Beverly Ramsey.

Friend’s farm series, ‘Down on Friendly acres’ is based on her life growing up on Friendly Acres with her two brothers and sister.

‘There was always lots of ‘fussin’ ‘n fighten’ in our family, and my grandmother used to say, ‘If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,’ remembers Friend.

Her first book, ‘Swallows Her Pride’ is on forgiveness; the second, ‘Time Out At Home’ is on patience; and her latest, ‘Hats Off To Heroes’ is on kindness. ‘Panic In The Pig Pen’ will be coming out this winter. The books feature songs, poems, recipes, hidden sunflower seeds, vocabulary words and Accelerated Reading tests.

Her stage presentation, as well as her books, teach character-building skills in a manner designed for children, with many antics including the audience.

‘We were so glad she taught character traits, because our school had designated August as the month for responsibility. It was just a reinforcement of what we had taught,’ said Ramsey.

Friend invites all to visit her at her web site, www.sunflowerseedspress.com, or children can visit www.downonfriendlyacres.com.