Tell me a little bit about yourself. I’ve always loved animals and thought I’d be a veterinarian. During my second year of pre-veterinary studies in college, I took a drawing class that ended up changing my life. My fine arts professor and her assistant took me aside and persuaded me to explore a career in another of the things I love — art. I’ve spent most of my career leading creative branding teams for globally recognized retailers. Now, I’m getting to fulfill one of my life’s dreams. Creating the Most Wanted! children’s book series combines my love for both animals and art.
What inspired you to write children’s books? One of our kid’s favorite things is to go to a bookstore or library. It’s pretty wonderful to see children get lost in a story and then create their own imaginary adventures and games from it. I want to be a part of inspiring and sharing in their creativity and imagination. [What] kids love so much about the reading experience [are] the story, the illustrations, the special covers. Even more, they love the time they get to spend with the person/persons reading with them.
What have you found interesting or particularly enjoyed about writing children’s books? The original idea behind my first book, Most Wanted! The Sock Thief, was simply to write a fun rhyming story about our dog who steals socks. While researching why our pets do the zany things they do, I discovered that some of those zany things can be potentially life-threatening. So, gathering the expertise from our family veterinarian and other animal-care experts, I added a special section to each Most Wanted! book that teaches us about the care and safety of our pets. I also wanted the books to hold a child’s attention, so each book contains four unique sections — a rhyming story, pet-care education, fun games, and meet the real-life stars. It’s been great seeing kids enjoy the books and how they engage with the different sections. And I love spending time with them doing author readings and events.
What have you read recently that you would recommend and why? I’m reading a lot these days as a member of four book clubs — each with its own genre. Some current titles include The Book of Joy, Educated, and The Henna Artist. My personal faves are for “good guys win” adventures by authors like James Rollins, Louise Penny, Clive Cussler, Preston and Child, JK Rowling, and Tolkien.
What is next on the horizon for you? For all you cat lovers out there, Most Wanted! The Ribbon Robber will launch this summer. It’s about a “purr-fectly” sweet kitty who finds and takes things like ribbons, hair ties, and rubber bands. In addition to launching here in the Fort Worth area, it’ll premiere in Vera Bradley’s “goodMRKT,” its new concept store that brings together small businesses and their products that help create “good” within their communities.
The Sock Thief written and illustrated by Nancy Binger
Read along as Nancy shares a simple rhyming story about an adorable mischief-maker who steals socks, based upon her real-life pet Noah.
Wrinkles by JR
An ode to wrinkles, with beautiful photography by French artist JR. The stories and wisdom of those with far more experiences who live among us have the possibly of encroaching our lives if we engage and honor them. While this lovely book was written for children, it’s perfect for any age.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school’s track team, but his past is slowing him down. Jason Reynolds tells an emotional story in this National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature novel, exploring how our experiences shape our identity and how to face challenges when all we want to do is run.
