Where are you from?: I am a Colorado native, however in my married life have called Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, North Carolina, and now Ohio--home.

Tell us the story of how you got into writing: I am not your traditional “writer”. I never dreamed of sitting in a tree house or a coffee shop and expressing myself with words on paper. My mom still today proof reads almost everything important that I do. (Heck, she probably has proof read this by the time I’m done with it!) But when it came to writing a children’s book, the real passion started when my husband was in Graduate School. I would walk my 2 little boys through the neighborhood to the community library on the corner. We would spend hours pouring over picture books. Many were dull. Bad illustrations, boring writing, no excitement. Others were inspiring, creative, and clever! I wanted to be one of those. I wanted to add to the imagination of a book and give a place for readers and children to connect in a way they might never have before. I made a goal during those years that someday I would do it—I would learn the process and ACTUALLY DO IT. Well, 6 months pregnant with our 3rd baby, settling in to our new home, my husband starting a new job, and raising two rambunctious boys with no family in sight felt like the perfect time to JUMP IN!

What was your favorite book growing up?: “The Face on the Milk Carton” by Caroline B. Cooneyor and “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi. I love a good mystery!

What is your favorite book as an adult?: TODAY my favorite book is “A Book of Love” by Emma Randall, but it is ever changing.

What is the name of your new book?: Wally and the Sweet Mountain Candy Factory

What inspired you to write the book?: This story was created during the rigmarole of bedtime as a way to get our young children's "wiggles" out. In our home, this story is told with LOTS OF ACTIONS. My children take turns lying on their stomach, pretending their back is the candy factory conveyor belt. The rest of us pretend to mix, stretch, roll, sprinkle and hammer the candy!

Tell us more about your new book: Wally dreams of becoming a candy maker—just like his dad, his dad’s dad, and his dad’s dad’s dad. It’s his first day of work and it is awesome until… EVERYTHING GOES OUT OF CONTROL! Put on your candy making hat and find a conveyor belt; there is work to be done!

Side columns add a unique concept for deeper learning and an enriched connection with each page turn. ACTIONS create an interactive experience to laugh and play together. A space to feel happy! QUESTIONS facilitate joyful and memorable conversations. Document the answers for your own history!

Wally is filled to the brim with wisdom! Here is a taste of what is inside....

• FAMILY HISTORY LEARNING. Wally's dream is joining the family business. Catch Wally's excitement and learn about those who came before you. The book defines words like legacy, family tree, and traditions. Spark a love for family history at a much younger age!
• RELATIONSHIP IMPORTANCE. Wally and Benji are best buddies, but today is Wally's big day—not Benji's. Kids will learn ways to respond with empathy and kindness. Relationships are the sweetness of life!
• TEAMWORK. Wally is determined to resolve the problem himself but learns he needs help from others. It will take teamwork to fix the issue.
• PROBLEM SOLVING. Wally knows he needs to make the right choice. Help Wally brainstorm by using your imagination to think critically. What will he decide is the best solution to his problem?
• INTERACTIVE PLAY. Find a conveyor belt using your surroundings (Mom's arm, Dad's back, the floor). Put on your candy making uniform, find your place in line, and get to work! Become each one of the Sweet Mountain employees by acting out their role!
• STEPS IN A PROCESS. Take a trip through the candy factory! Join Wally and his friends on the conveyor belt as they learn to follow a step-by-step process and understand logical order by counting with numbers.
• SEEK AND FIND. Benji loves and admires his older brother, Wally. Get excited as you play a game to find Benji hiding and sneaking through the pages.
• CREATION OF GOODS. Sweet Mountain has been in Wally's family for generations and today he will see it firsthand! Kids will learn "how it's made" and that hard work is behind every piece of candy.
• RECIPES FOR KIDS IN THE BACK. Two customized recipes that kids will love making together. Stretch, roll, sprinkle, and hammer in real life! Work alongside each other, in your own kitchen, to create, not only lollipops and taffy, but fun memories!
• PERSONALIZE YOUR FAMILY TREE. Make family history fun! Learn about your ancestors and get excited about who is in your family tree. Who do you want to be like when you grow up? What career path did your grandma choose? Who was a pioneer? When did your grandpa have to show courage? What skills and talents did they pass down? What traditions have continued? When we know what our ancestors did with their time, even if it is their hobbies, we can see them as real people with real dreams and struggles. Have meaningful conversations about your own family! A blank family tree is included for readers to insert their own ancestors.

Where do you go to get into writing mode?: Road Trips. I love having no agenda or pressure to be “productive.” I relax and enjoy the scenery, brainstorm with my cute husband, and dream big!

Who needs to read this book?: Everyone! YOU! If you are reading this, grab a child, sit down with Wally, and get silly. With engagement on every page, you are sure to make memories together.

Who inspires you?: My sisters. I have eleven (in-laws are real sisters). Each one of them is a powerful mama, full of ideas, energy, and creativity. I love to pick their brains, and I leave every conversation feeling fearless about what I can accomplish.

How important is reading and literacy for youth in this world?: Reading and literacy are essential for youth in this world. They are the gateway to education and the indicator of the depth and quality of that education. Reading and literacy burst the bands of ignorance. They remove limits, give options, and provide connection. For example, my 4 and 5-year-old sons have just started reading and the world is brand new for them! They connect with the community in ways they didn’t before. “That place sells tires!” “Mom, you can get your hair cut over there!” Their surroundings have taken on a whole new meaning and they are now interested in all our town has to offer. They are finding out that they can learn about anything in a book, magazine or on the internet. Everything they read adds to their experience, their vocabulary, their perspective, their imagination, and their confidence. The importance of reading and literacy for youth cannot be overstated.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to create something they dream of?: YOU CAN TOTALLY DO IT. Break it down into steps, take it one step at a time, and watch it unfold. Talk to people about it; share it; network. I used to be scared to share an idea with other people for fear of them stealing it—that’s laughable now! Find a mentor. You can learn from those with experience, and often avoid common mistakes. If others aren’t as excited as you are about your dream, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea. Take feedback, tweak it to your own satisfaction, and run with it! YOU’VE GOT THIS. Most importantly, remember why you started chasing your dream. Hold on to that thought. Don’t let yourself get dragged down by negative thoughts or second guessing. You started for a good reason, so stay in that head space and enjoy every step of the way. “Don’t let your ice cream melt while counting someone else’s sprinkles.”

Where can people find your new book?: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733459502?pf_rd_r=21MCGEHJ68VN7MTYGRES&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

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