Nicknamed the "world's breadbasket," the contributions from the great state of Kansas reverberate far beyond its borders. Kansas has given us leaders in politics (Dwight D. Eisenhower); aviation (Amelia Earhart); and sports (Wilt Chamberlain); leads our nation in wheat production; and fuels our Hollywood image of the Wild West (Dodge City). From A-Z, "S is for Sunflower" explores the broad plain of history and people that make up the state of Kansas.
When I wrote my first children's story in high school, I don't think I could quite see the day when I would actually become a published author. (I certainly didn't envision myself being invited to read at the White House.) But I do know that from the very first story (which was called, "The Journey to the City" by the way) I was completely taken by the joyous freedom that comes with writing for young readers (even though I was a seriously young WRITER at the time).
It took another ten years or so before I started seriously working at getting published, and another ten years after that before I actually received that magical acceptance from an editor. It was like crossing a far away finish line. And I think that just after "Fibblestax" was published, I thought that I could check that box (the "published author" box) and move on to something else. I don't know that I could see another dozen or so books pouring from me. I mean, I had a "regular" job as anchor of the news at the NBC affiliate in Detroit; it was often more than a fulltime gig. But in children's books, I quickly found a calling.
Shortly after "Fibblestax" was published, my editor called me and told me to think about a book called "A is for America." She didn't say to write it; she just said to think about it.
I couldn't think of anything else.
Having grown up in a military family all over the country and all over the world, and having watched my father head off for three tours of duty in Vietnam, I had a lot of thoughts about America. And in just a few days, I had completed the book. It was odd --- ten years to get "Fibblestax" published, less than a week to get "A is for America" on its way. But as "America" became a national bestseller and I began hearing from teachers all over the country using the book in their classrooms, I developed a new understanding of the power of a picture book. (I'll never forget the morning one of my daughters started yelling for us all to come to the television because the "Today" show had just shown my book sitting beneath the White House Christmas tree.)
Years and many books later, I love to look at the characters who've walked the road with me --- Fibblestax, Cosmo and his moon, Brewster the Rooster, Moses (who led his family to an Oklahoma homestead in "Pappy's Handkerchief") and the others. They've become a part of our family. And I can't wait to meet those who line the road ahead.
