​​"I loved your story, oh I'm the one that said 'I wanted to be just like you when I grew up.' Thanks for coming!"

"I liked your story a lot because most people can't be that good of friends with a cat. I wish I could be as good friends with my cat as Hannah was."

"You write very good stories. So good that the cats say meow for it. That's how good your stories are. You can write that good. I can't believe it."

"When you showed us your cat in the wig was rely funny. When you showed us the folders [of revisions] that was shocking."

"Thank you for the books you wrote for the school and the world."

"I liked it when I got my picture taken with you. It was fun and it was my first time getting my picture taken with an author. I will think about that when I read your books and getting my picture taken with you."

"I was really happy when I got to meet you. I would like to see you again."

​

"I hope you like AmeriHost. My moms been cleaning your room."

Praise from

Teachers

and Librarians

Nubs: A Mutt & the Miracle of Writing True Stories

Interactive Assembly

(Grades 3-6 - Any Size Group)

In this interactive and dynamic multimedia program, Mary shares back stories about Nubs and his inspiring life, introducing students to the key ingredients in writing true stories -- interviewing, researching, revising... and passion. This presentation includes an examination of original writing drafts and a Q&A. Recent photos and a short Animoto movie of Nubs will be shared!

50 Minutes (Including Q&A)

Friendship, Fur and Facts:

Interactive Assembly

(Grades 3-6 - Any Size Group)

​Mary shares her life as a writer, including behind-the-scenes stories about the creation, (from first idea to completed book) of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival; Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle and The Famous Nini: The Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star. In an in-depth, interactive and dynamic multimedia format, students will learn tips and strategies for writing in the genre of true stories and mostly true stories!. This presentation includes a Q&A session.

​50 Minutes (Including Q&A)

Inside the Writer's Studio

(Middle School - Up to 30 students)

In this informal session, Mary introduces herself and her books, and lets students 'drive the content,' based on their questions. To provide maximum learning and an interactive experience, students should come with at least one question of importance about writing. Many teachers prefer to select students involved in a writing project. Students then come to the session with questions from their own work. Writing tips and strategies are shared, and stories from Mary's life as a writer are used to illuminate the students' experience.

45 Minutes

Friendship, Fur and Facts:

Interactive Assembly

(Grades K-3 - Any Size Group)

Mary shares her life as a writer, including behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival. In an interactive and dynamic multimedia format, students will learn tips and strategies for writing their own true stories! This presentation concludes with a Q&A session.

50 Minutes (Including Q&A)

Meet Nubs!:

Interactive Assembly

(Grades K-3 - Any Size Group)

Mary shares her life as a writer, including never-before-shared stories about the creation of Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. In an interactive and dynamic multimedia format, students will be introduced to the fascinating genre of true stories, including the importance of interviewing, researching, and revising. This presentation includes a Q&A session. Recent photos and a short Animoto movie of Nubs will be shared!

50 Minutes (Including Q&A)

Meet Bobbi and Bob Cat!:

Interactive Assembly

(Grades K-3 - Any Size Group)

Mary shares her life as a writer, including behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival. In an interactive and dynamic multimedia format, students will be introduced to the fascinating genre of true stories. This presentation includes a Q&A session, and we will conclude with final tips for partner writing and writing true stories, as well as a short video clip of children sharing their responses to the Bobs.

40 Minutes (Including Q&A)

"Your experience in the classroom shows. You really are attuned to your audience... a polished and professional presentation!"

~JoAnn Bauer, Director, Children's Library Program

​Mary presents at State and National conferences and to students pre-Kindergarten through Middle School.

Please click here for a PDF document containing information on Mary's workshops and event preparation.

More Praise from Teachers

and Librarians

"It was obvious that Mary and Kirby really like kids! They really made the students feel comfortable when they came to have their books signed and for lunch with the authors, greeted students and teachers with a warm hello as they entered the assembly, and showed they knew how to 'work' a crowd of even Kindergartners! Our school is still buzzing today with excitement, we loved our visit with Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson."

~Mary Liebler, Librarian, South Elementary School

​Praise from Kids

"Thank you, thank you, for giving so much to our kids -- they loved you and your book and especially the kitty paw prints! I loved watching their faces as they packed their backpacks to leave, some of them kept the books out to show whoever was picking them up, some found a special place in their backpacks for the book! Your gift of time spent with each one of them was really fun to watch -- they loved talking to you!"

~Betsy Burch, Ed.D, Site Coordinator, Pacific View Charter School

​"I cannot thank Mary enough for making the journey across the country to join us at the Ramaz Lower School is New York City. We were all thrilled to meet her - students and faculty alike! Students were totally engaged as Mary shared her inspiration for writing as well as her research and writing process. Mary really opened student's eyes to what it means to be a writer."

~Haviva Donan Peters, Head Librarian, Ramaz Lower School

​

"All the folks at Worthington are still sharing wonderful stories from their classes about your presentations. Thank you again for your inspiring presence at our Author's Festival!"

~Teacher, Grades 7-8

​​"Mary's presentation [about Nubs] for our 4th and 5th graders was wonderful. Not only did the students enjoy hearing the background information about a book that they love but she did an excellent job of explaining the process of authoring a true book."

​~Karen Ott, Library Specialist, Country Lane School

​"The authors were wonderful. I've been hosting authors for 16 years, and they were the first who wanted to have lunch with the students. They asked so many questions during the meal, even the shy students had something to say! While signing, they both took the time to find out about every student who had a book. When students were entering and leaving the gym, they greeted the children and made each one feel important. They introduced themselves to to teachers and were the most gracious authors I have ever hosted."

~Cheri Rountree, Librarian, Clarence Cannon Elementary