Children's Author, Nancy Stewart visits Write What Inspires You

Nancy and I first met in person in the fall of 2010 at the Guardian Angel Publishing author and illustrator gathering and forged an immediate ease and friendship. Her educational background and writing talent creates a perfect blend of what children enjoy the most in books. Join me in welcoming Nancy to Write Inspires You and learn what motivates and inspires Nancy.

DMc: Please share with our readers your professional background and what led you to writing for children.



NS: I began my career as an elementary school teacher. I enjoyed it, and that experience was a great preparation for what was to come. While living in the NYC area, I worked for New Options, Inc., a partner to the American Management Association. Until recently, I was a university professor of education, specializing in teaching Children’s and Young Adult Literature. And there I found my niche. Picture books grabbed me and would not let go! I began writing in earnest about five years ago and have never looked back. It has become a passion with me and now is something akin to breathing.

DMc: What do you feel is the most important message One Pelican at Time?


NS: Two words: Empowering kids. Children so often are told what they do doesn’t really make a difference. We patronize them without even thinking about it. In this book, I wanted the girls to take charge of a small but important occurrence within a larger, catastrophic event. In this way, I hope children who read Pelican will take away two things: “What I do is important” and “What I do can help save the world.”

DMc: Please share with us the synopsis' of your next two books with Guardian Angel Publishing, Bella Saves the Beach and Sea Turtle Summer.


NS: “Bella Saves the Beach” was actually the first book in the series, but when the spill occurred, we changed the emphasis. In the book, the girls begin seeing litter on their beloved beach. What can they do about it? They’re just kids. Not only do they come up with a plan (after several failures), they manage to enlist the whole town in the endeavor! In Sea Turtle Summer, Britt and Bella come upon a turtle laying her eggs in the daylight, something that usually does not happen. After seeing the turtle safely back into the water, they are faced with the dilemma of protecting the nest. As the beach is filled with tourists, volleyball games, sunbathers, etc., how can they do it? All I’m going to say is it has a lovely and surprising ending.

DMc: What was the collaboration process like with illustrator, Samantha Bell? Will she also be the illustrator on your next two books?


NS: Yes, I am delighted that Samantha is the illustrator of the next two books. She was fantastic to work with, and she is so talented. The two girls are wonderfully illustrated. They almost walk off the pages. The work she does with watercolor is gorgeous, and I think she captured the gulf, beaches and marine life beautifully.

DMc: Where can readers learn more about the Gulf Oil Spill?


NS: There are quite a few reliable places. National Geographic has and continues to do a remarkable job on the spill and its aftermath. For children, the Ranger Rick Magazine is a marvelous resource. The New York Times has done an admirable job in monitoring BP during this time. Where can people learn more about your illustrious wring career?

They can find me at my web and blog sites:

http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/
http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/


Nancy, thank you for joining me today and providing an opportunity for the visitors to meet you. It's been a pleasure. Be sure to stop back tomorrow, when I post my book review of One Pelican at a Time.

Giveaway Contest: Leave a comment on either Nancy's interview or book review and you are automatically entered at a chance to win Nancy's children's book, One Pelican at a Time.

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm