I started revising an alphabet book begun several years ago when it occurred to me that I had written an essay on ABC books when working toward my MFA and thought, it might be time to revisit the topic. Alphabet books have been around since colonial days when not only were children taught their ABC’s, but their morals as well. During the beginning of the Nazi movement, an anti-Semitic ABC book was even written by Elvira Bauer for Hitler to teach young children about the evils of Jews (Thurston 317). Today, alphabet books are universally understood to be those books for young preschoolers who are just beginning to recognize letters. Older children might become offended if ABC books are offered to them as an option for appropriate reading at home or in the classroom. Parents might, in fact, discourage their child from choosing an ABC book once they have begun to read. However, beyond the “simple” ABC book, alphabet books offer a variety of forms and context for readers of all ages, abilities, and circumstances, and serve multiple purposes.
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I remember the excitement of visiting the public library as a child. The magic and suspense of reading favorites like The Velvet Room and The Secret Garden tugged at my imagination. Biographies of George Washington Carver and Betsy Ross allowed me to see the lives of those who came before me and to appreciate their accomplishments. Poetry collections like my favorite The Tall Book of Poems, which I took with me on sleepovers, introduced me to a range of poetry where I could consider how the placement and rhythm of words affected your mood – sometimes bouncy, other times melancholy. Plus, I really loved the way that book felt in my small hands. My goal in writing children’s books, I think, is an attempt to recreate those feelings, those early years of reading books where everything seemed possible.
I received an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and won the Karen and Philip Cushman Late Bloomer Award from SCBWI. I worked as a Children's Librarian for 20 years and still prefer to read books written for young people. I have two Cavapoo dogs named Prince Albert and Daisy Wu, and a black kitten named Mortimer. I am married and split time between homes with my husband Rod in Dayton, OH and in Cadiz, KY where we enjoy our pontoon boat on Lake Barkley.
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February 2024
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