My dream someday is to have my own children's book published. I actually have many stories in my head with only three that have gotten down on paper and are awaiting being finalized. I've put it off for many years to raise my children, but I think it's time to start easing into it again.
In college I studied Children's Books with Dr. Jerry Mallett at the University of Findlay (home of the Mazza Collection). It was there that I really began to delve into the world of children's books. It's a magical place and somewhere I was always happy to lose track of time in. I would wander the Mazza Collection, studying the original works of art from various (and many!) children's books, trying to know exactly how I could absorb the success of those artists into myself. Dr. Mallett, on my graduation day, approached me and my husband and told me that I had a future, that it wouldn't be easy, but that I had a lot of talent. I'll never forget those words. Thank you, Dr. Mallett.
Where did my love of books really begin? Of course my mom always read to us and took us to the library, which was great. But my 8th Christmas really stands out, and that was the year I received a large, very heavy box. When I opened it, I found inside every Black Stallion novel that Walter Farley had ever written, arranged by number. I loved seeing the titles and the colors and the illustrations on the covers. Anyone not familiar with his novels would need to know that these are YA (Young Adult) novels with only an illustrated cover, no inside illustrations. The Black Stallion world was a place I loved to be. Thank you, Walter Farley.
Just the other day I unpacked my novels and put them all back on my shelf. Seeing their wonderful colors once again and noticing the wrinkled spines on the books I read and read over again awoke something inside of me. I'm excited for the years to come. I do have a future.
Hm... how did I know that The Black Stallion was going to be on that list?
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