First, thank you very much for inviting me to participate in your blog.
What a joy the universe of children’s literature is! I’m so enjoying this new
career. I didn’t start out as a writer. In fact, I started out as an
Anthropologist with a strong interest in children’s development across cultures
and in folklore. Prior to going to college, I’d spent several summers working
with developmentally delayed children. That work inspired many questions, one of
which was questioning how various cultures handle children who are different
from the norm. In college, I studied cultural anthropology and early childhood
education. Then, spurred by the nascent women’s movement, I began teaching in -
and advocating for more - childcare centers. It was then that I discovered the
joy of picture books. Wow! What an eye-opening. That’s when I met Swimmy,
who helped all his friends work together to chase away the big, bad fish.
And I met Max, whose mother still loved him - and kept his dinner warm - while
he was angry and chasing wild things. And I met Frederick who, like me,
wanted to gather sunbeams.
I continued teaching small children. Then, with children of my own, I began
teaching parenting education. Writing came late - very late! I’d pursued (but
didn’t quite finish) a Ph.D. in Anthropology. I opened (and closed) a bookstore.
I raised (to completion, if the job can ever be considered complete) four
children. I also had a flock of sheep, chickens, rabbits, cats, and dogs.
My writing grew from all of my experiences…and from the world around. I’m
curious about almost everything…and I like to explore. I also love words. My
article below, which first appeared in last summer's SCBWI Bulletin, describes
my love of picture books…and how they can be used.
(Please click on image to embolden)
I can be reached via my website: www.lindamarshall.com or
Twitter (which I rarely use) @L_E_Marshall
