A Welcome Song for Baby

Summary of Book

As the seasons pass, Emma makes her own song from the sounds she hears, all to share with her new little brother when he finally arrives. This sweet, lyrical story is a celebration of sounds and seasons, nature and family.

Author Biography

Marsha Diane Arnold is a multi-award winning author with over one million books sold. Called a "born storyteller" by the media, Marsha's stories have been called "wacky," "whimsical," "inspiring," "beguiling," "heartwarming," "uplifting," and "great read-alouds." She wrote the award-winning "homegrown treasures" column before becoming a multi-award winning picture book author. Her books include HEART OF A TIGER named Best First Book by a New Author, THE PUMPKIN RUNNER, a Smithsonian Notable, and ROAR OF A SNORE which was selected three times for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Marsha's most recent books include the bilingual GALAPAGOS GIRL from Lee & Low, which won a Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and is a Campoy-Ada honor book. BADGER'S PERFECT GARDEN, from Sleeping Bear Press, won the 2019 Florida Book Awards Bronze Medal. When not creating imaginative worlds and wacky characters at her home in Florida, Marsha enjoys traveling the world, scuba diving, hiking, gardening, and (like her characters) always trying new things. To learn more about Marsha's books or to contact her, visit www.marshadianearnold.com.

Illustrator Biography

I grew up in the south of England, painting, sewing and making miniature houses full of tiny furniture and people. I lived in Hong Kong as a teenager, but went on to train as an illustrator in Bath.

After gaining my illustration degree, I set up in business with help from the Prince's Youth Business Trust, and in the 25 years since, I have worked as an illustrator for a huge range of clients. My work has won awards and been published all over the world. I don't take my success for granted, and am always trying out new techniques and pushing my work on as far as I can. I am grateful to be working at something I love doing.

I am also a tutor on the illustration MA course at University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, helping students all around the world to develop their illustration styles and ideas. I also run creative workshops specialising in illustration for the UCA outreach department. I visit schools around and about, to share my enthusiasm for illustration with those who are just starting out on their creative journeys, or who haven't even heard of being an illustrator. I find working with young people very rewarding and inspiring, and get so much from the exchange of ideas. My top tip? Keep a sketch book.

I have also been Artist in Residence in a school, where I painted a series of portraits and got over 300 students involved in a creative project - it was great fun.

In my spare time, I usually have a side project on the go - silversmithing, metalwork, dress making, woodwork, needle felting, to name a few, but retreating to my shed to paint is my current favourite.

I still live in the south of England, with my husband, son and cat, in a small house full of paintings, books and all the things I have made.