I've just returned from a writing retreat where I wrote a first draft of a new non-fiction picture book about Nancy Grace Roman, "Mother of Hubble." This morning, I met with my picture book critique group who provided some very useful comments for my consideration. While I enjoy writing, I have other passions. One is Halloween. One of my very favorite things while working as a Children's Librarian was making snacks and treats for my programs, but especially Halloween. So, this month, I am challenging myself to make one fun snack every day of October. Whew! It won't be easy. What will be harder is finding someone to give all the treats to. (Just kidding.) But I've got some surprises lined up and crossing my fingers it all works out. Maybe someone will find some inspiration here for their own Halloween gathering too. So here goes.
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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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April 2024
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