"All the kids and teachers had a great time listening to your show…. thank you for sharing your love of poetry and words with us."
~Donna Caulson, teacher St. Peter’s Lutheran School

"Thank you for enriching the minds and lives of our youth!"
~Bay Point Library Staff

"Our students thoroughly enjoyed your assembly! I wanted to share a comment one of my students made after returning to class. ‘Mrs. Braverman, [Alexa said] I have a whole orchard of trees growing in my brain. Some are just getting started and some are already in Winter, but by the time I get to college they’ll be full-grown!’ What a precious response. I encouraged her that her ‘orchard’ would continue to grow as long as she lived… Thanks for your input into the lives of our children. Keep on sharing and growing!"
~email from Anita Braverman, 2nd grade teacher, San Miguel Elementary, Sunnyvale

" … All the kids in my class thought you were miraculous! Maybe you could come again sometime."
~Katy, 4th grader at Beach School, Piedmont, CA

"Thanks for your wonderful performances at Deer Creek. Your teacher evaluation was really ‘great’ and they want you back!!"
~Lisa Ruggierro Deer Creek Elementary, Nevada City

"Your professional performance captured the children and adults… I was amazed to see how the little ones sat still and listened to your stories and poems!"
~Sandy Wee, Librarian, Los Gatos Public Library

"You were SPECTACULAR! You kept everyone’s attention."
~Wendy Ulmer, PTO President, Whisman Elementary Mountain View

"What a great way to share your gift with the world!"
~Christine Muzik, Principal, Ellis Elementary, Sunnyvale, CA

"Gary, you were terrific! The kids really loved your performances!"
~Christine Naples, Park School, Hayward

"A couple of our teachers told me after the show that yours was the best assembly we had this year, which is a pretty high compliment because we’ve had some really good ones. They really liked the way you engaged the kids."
~Renee Heff, Parent-Teacher Association, Alex Anderson Elementary, San Jose

"Your program of original poetry was a huge success! It is my great privilege to send you our thanks along with a donation [unsolicited] to your performance-storytelling work."
~Robin Ludmer, Librarian, Beach School

"Listening to students the day after your visit, I’d say you planted quite a few ‘seeds.’ Thanks for the inspiration!"
~Connie Rossider, Calpella School

"I wanted to thank you once again for a great job at our Author’s Day. The kids and teachers haven’t stopped talking about you! You were such a great success!… Thanks for sharing your gift with us and making our day so special."
~Sue DeVinny, Sun Valley Elementary, San Rafael

"…You tickled the funny bones of the audience and touched their hearts as well… I believe you inspired each and every one with the idea that he/she could write their own poetry."
~Cheryl Houts, Children’s Librarian, Los Altos Library

"In 30 years of teaching, I’ve never seen a show like yours. The kids didn’t budge!"
~Teacher’s Comment, Lincoln Elementary, Cupertino

"…You did a wonderful job with all the different age groups… I was really impressed. You are the most ‘real’ performer I’ve seen at our school … not contrived or forced and really fun. Your mingling with the kids as they came in helped break the ice. Many of the classrooms went back to their rooms and completed the writing activity. Thank you again and I’ll be giving your name to my friends…"
~Judy Richardson, Reading Specialist, Spangler Elementary, Milpitas

". . .I highly recommend Gary Turchin as a storyteller, performer, and organizer of any children’s event. He not only reaches and captivates children, but he works extremely well with teachers and other adults. . ."
~Kathy Sparrow, teacher, Hopland School