"Thank you for coming to 'the sticks,' Coalinga. You have had an impact on young minds to dream big, and pursue their dreams.”

                                                    -Lori Jennings, Teacher, Coalinga, CA

“Thank you for coming to our school and giving our students two terrific assemblies. Enclosed you will find some letters from students, pictures of a bulletin board they did, and some creative endings they produced centered around The Moon was at a Fiesta.”

-Rebecca Knops, Librarian at George Hall School San Mateo, CA

“Your performance at Lejeune High School today was sensational! I truly enjoyed your musical talent and children’s literature.”

-Susan Potter, 3rd grade teacher Camp Lejeune, NC

“Thank you from all of us at Royal Oaks for such a wonderful visit. Not a day passes without a student, or teacher, telling me what a fun time they had!”

-Melody, Librarian at Royal Oaks School Visalia, CA

“What a pleasure it was to meet you and hear you speak—so very wonderful and inspiring. Your enthusiasm was infectious and everyone I spoke with thoroughly enjoyed your presentation.”

-Lisa Foshay, C.A.R. Author’s Luncheon

“We really enjoyed your presentation at our school and have had lots of fun in class reading your books. We made puppets to Ten Oni Drummers and took turns acting it out. Thank you so much for inspiring us and sharing your work with us. We hope that you can come back sometime.”

-Julie Buickerood, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

“We enjoyed your visit with us at Hyer. The students, teachers and staff, all, have showered me with thanks! You certainly relate well with the students and make your books come alive!”

-Janet Peters Hyers Elementary School, Dallas, TX

“You have a wonderful gift with connecting with kids of all ages. I have personally gained so much insight with regard to other cultures and beliefs by reading and sharing your stories with the kids.”

-Steffani, Roy Cloud School Redwood City, CA

“Many thanks for your wonderful gift of The Jazz Fly. I have enjoyed your rhyming and play with sounds. Having the CD with your book adds so much to the story. I marvel at the music and the keen instrumentation.”

-Ashley Larson, Librarian Woodside Elementary School, Woodside, CA

“The teachers and kids are still talking about how much they enjoyed your visit.”

-Vicky Porter, Librarian Schaefer Elementary Media Library, Santa Rosa, CA

“Welcome to Colegio Maya! Looking forward to your presentations tomorrow!”

-Dr. Sheryl Miller and all the Maya community Guatemala City, Guatemala

“I am the elementary school librarian from St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Japan, a private all-boys K-12 school. The Jazz Fly won the boys over with its playful language and infectious rhythm. Our students come from 70 different countries and many are bilingual or trilingual, so they really did appreciate your dedication of the book to second-language learners, and your message of trying to communicate in different ways.”

-Anna Fernicola, Librarian St. Mary’s International School, Tokyo, Japan

“Thank you so much for the last shipment of books. All the children seem really delighted with the entire visit and autographed treasures.”

-Sandra, White Oaks School San Carlos, CA

“I want to thank you for a wonderful evening. We have all heard so many great words about your presentation…Your talents and kindness will be remembered for a long time!”

-Darlene Dodd, Title I Teacher

“As usual your performance was splendid…I showed the video of The Jazz Fly this week and it got rave reviews just like you did. The password around school is now, ‘Za-baza, Boo-zaba, Zee-zah, RO-ni,’ The question around here is, ‘When can we have Matthew Gollub back again?’ You continue to be professional, educational and entertaining all at once. We were delighted to have you come and thank you for a wonderful performance.”

-Shelley Pickett, Librarian Forkner Elementary School, Fresno, CA

“Thank you for a wonderful visit to our school. The students and teachers are sure to remember it for a long time to come.”

-Cathy O’Connor McPherson School, Napa, CA

“Thank you for your wonderful visit. Your presentations were fantastic, and I have gotten so much positive feedback from the school community.”

-Kristin Wilfong, The Carey School San Mateo, CA

“Thank you so much for allowing us to come and be a part of this special day in the life of McSwain Elementary School. We enjoyed the times we spent with you and appreciate the time you gave us for an interview.”

-Robin Hopper, METV Reading Specialist Merced County Office of Education

“We recently had author Matthew Gollub visit our elementary school and I just had to share the success of this program with you all. I attended this trilingual (English, Spanish and Japanese) author’s workshop at CSLA in November and was impressed with his enthusiasm and creativity. His book, The Jazz Fly, is a rollicking romp through jazz scatting that the youngest through the oldest of our students adored. I can’t recommend this author’s program enough!”

-Robin Ludmer, Librarian Beach School in Piedmont, CA

“I just had to tell you that a class of 7th-8th graders are learning to tell stories this year and your video was so useful for them. These kids are telling stories at a school in which there are a lot of Spanish-speaking children, and as a result of seeing your video, have decided to incorporate the Spanish they are learning in their storytelling.”

-Leslie Kanno, Christa McAuliffe School Saratoga, CA

“I was so positively influenced by your workshop at the Fresno Convention Center. You impacted me so much that I went back to my school, enthusiastic about sharing some of the good things that I learned from you about storytelling.”

-Nola Kanawyer, Reading Specialist Sierra View Elementary School, Madera, CA

“In all seven years I’ve participated in the event [CA Association for Rehabilitation Author’s Luncheon], you were the most well-received, most-enjoyed children’s author we’ve had! You were a hit! You kept the audience rolling with laughter and awe…I could sense everyone wanted you to go on beyond your time limit. What a success!”

                  -Julie Davis, Atherton, CA, C.A.R. Author’s Luncheon Committee member

“You are not only a talented writer, but also a very charismatic presenter. Thank you for the difference you have made in our students’ lives. They will enjoy the books and memories for many years.”

-Sharon Kirklin, Principal Buckeye Elementary School, El Dorado Hills, CA

“Your ability to connect with people is such a gift, and you put so much of yourself into your visit! Each presentation was perfectly matched to the ages of your audience, and your interaction with the children was so genuine.”

-Gennie Williams, Librarian Lincoln School, Burlingame, CA

“We are still basking in the afterglow of your visit. Our students really benefited from your visit here.”

-Allison Wagner, District Librarian Butte County Office of Education, Oroville, CA

“Thank you for your inspiring work. The children love your books. We all enjoyed your performances and appreciated the opportunity to show you how we felt about your stories.”

-Kelly Martin Mauro, Teacher Lake Forest Elementary School, El Dorado Hills, CA

“The kids thoroughly enjoyed your presentations. I heard from many parents who told me that their kids rarely report on any of their daily activities, but many talked about the “cool” presentation they got to see when the author came to school!”

-Julian Dreswick, Teacher Baywood Elementary School, Piedmont, CA

“Thank you for coming to our school. I did not know anything about Japanese until you taught me. It was very neat to hear the drum beat. I liked when you dressed up in the funny clothes.”

-3rd Grade Student Fairview Elementary School, Orland, CA

“Jack [my son] came home on a cloud and could not stop talking about you. I loved the way Jack said to me, ‘Mom, I met the neatest guy at school today’ and then proceeded to tell me about you as if he had made a new friend. He thought you were fascinating.”

-Parent Armstrong Elementary School, Dallas, TX

“Thank you so much for coming to our school. We learned so much from you and your books! The kids are really interested in other languages now.”

-Judy Berchelli Foothill Oaks School Library, Sacramento, CA

"Wow! What a sensation you were at the Santa Clara Library. We're still getting thanks for bringing you to our patrons. They loved it all--from your drumming to your multi-lingual storytelling to your spectacular performance of THE JAZZ FLY. Rarely do we have such a multi-talented performer"

"Boys and girls, you are about to be treated to the best assembly all year. Mr. Gollub is not just an author, but a musician, a linguist and storyteller as well!"

-Claudia Plumley, Principal Jefferson School, Cloverdale, CA

"It has been nearly a month, and I am still receiving congratulations for bringing you to the District."

-Anne Mangels, Library Media Coordinator Rocklin Unified School District, Rocklin, CA

"Once again, a super thank you for firing up the kids. You definitely make and leave an awesome impression."

-Rosaedith Villaseñor Alcott School, Pomona, CA

"You made me realize how important it is to give the profession you have chosen one hundred percent dedication. Thank you very much for being such an inspiration to us all. We will always remember you and learn from you as we grow in any career we've chosen."

-Eva García, Teacher's Aide Alcott School, Pomona, CA

"Your command of three languages, storytelling and rhythmic instruments made for an unbelievably dynamic combination. You are a truly talented professional able to captivate an audience regardless of age."

-Shelley Pickett, Library Assistant Forkner Elementary School, Fresno, CA

"We are very pleased with your bilingual workshops surrounding the exhibit of Mr. Martínez's exquisite art. Thanks again for all your work in helping us reach a broader community."

-Mary Felt, Coordinator of Educational Exhibitions The Art Institute of Chicago

"You were terrific! The [graduate] students really enjoyed your presentation and learned so much from you."

-Dr. Dianne Lapp School of Teacher Education, San Diego State University

"We are grateful for special guests like you who greatly enrich our learning of Japanese culture and of all cultures. Domo arigato gozaimashita!"

-Etsuko Mayetani, Bilingual Teacher El Marino Language School, Culver City, CA

"Thank you so much for your performances and workshop. I have heard nothing but raves from the faculty and students. We enjoyed you and the students learned from you."

-Janet Barrows, Administrator Lincoln School, Santa Rosa, CA

"What a great job! Your presentations received great reviews. You left your audiences wanting more!"

-Diane Buckalew, Director Fresno Teachers Conference, Fresno, CA

"Thank you, again, for your wonderful presentation at our first Tehama County Reading Council Conference. You did a terrific job of weaving the English and Spanish. Lucky Tehama County!"

-Dottie Renstrom, Chair Tehama County Reading Council, Red Bluff, CA

"My class really enjoyed your presentation. They loved getting to be a part of it; they loved your expression; they were enthralled with the bilingual telling. Thank you for sharing your many talents with us. It is a day we will remember."

-Diane C. Kellogg, Teacher Van Meter School, Los Gatos, CA