Jennifer J. Stewart was in second grade when she realized library books have many different authors, and she became determined to see her own name among the shelves.
So far, that's happened four times.
Her latest publication is her first picture book. "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Arizona" - which was illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath, a New York Times best-selling artist - is available at most local bookstores.
Here are excerpts from a recent interview with Stewart, who is 50:
Please tell us a bit about yourself, including where you are from and how long have you been in Tucson.
"I am originally from New York, but my family moved to Tucson when I was 4 years old. I attended Whitmore Elementary School, Townsend (Middle School) and Catalina High School. I didn't write much until high school, but I read a lot of books.
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"At Wellesley College, I got an honors degree in English. Convinced that I would starve to death if I tried to make a living writing, I went on to earn an MBA from the University of Utah. I worked as an executive for all of three years, before I 'retired' to become a full-time mom, part-time writer and volunteer. My husband and I have three daughters. Two are in college, and one is a high school senior, so soon it will just be the two of us, the dog, the cat and the bunny."
When did you first begin writing?
"In second grade - that's when I figured out that the children's librarian didn't write all the books in the library. It became my ambition to have a book with my name on it.
"I prepared to become a writer by reading everything I could get my hands on. Reading teaches you to appreciate the rhythm of words and lets you see how other writers string their words together to make magic. It also taught me about voice - that something that makes you stop and listen, because someone is telling you a story, one you can't put down.
"I published my first short story when I was a college sophomore. My first novel came out in 1998."
Why do you write children's books?
"It's easier. Kidding! Short answer: Children's books have a happy or at least a hopeful ending. Long answer: I write children's books because they are important to children's emotional development. In a way, books raised me. Also - you may have figured this out - I like to entertain. And despite what my driver's license says, on the inside I'm still 12. So I write for one child in particular: myself."
What inspired you to write your first picture book, "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Arizona"? What is the book about?
"I wanted to share my love of Arizona with children. I've done lots of exploration - I've even hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, and back again! The book is appropriate for ages 3 to 10, with younger children focusing on the pictures and the words to the song ("A Cactus Wren in a Palo Verde"). It's a takeoff on the traditional Christmas carol, but so much more than that.
"The book tells the story of Carlos, who lives in Arizona, and his cousin, Isabella, who is visiting Arizona for the first time. As Carlos gives Isabella a series of Arizona-style gifts over the 12 days of Christmas, she writes letters home - which is my sneaky way of slipping in all sorts of fun facts about Arizona. For example, "On the seventh day of Christmas, my cousin gave to me . . . seven fish a-jumping." And Isabel learns that London Bridge is not falling down, that it's in Lake Havasu City, and while it may sound fishy, it's true. In the illustration, the kids are pictured at the bridge. The lead fish bears a resemblance to the queen. The illustrator, Lynne Avril, slipped in all sorts of fun details."
Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself or your work?
"I serve on the board of directors of Make Way for Books, a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy in limited-resource areas of Tucson and Southern Arizona by providing young children an opportunity to fall in love with books and reading. In all seriousness, it's so important that children read or be read to every day. Check out the work we do at www.makewayforbooks.org"
Want to learn more about Jennifer J. Stewart and her books? Go online to www.jenniferjstewart.com.
Contact reporter Patty Machelor at 806-7754 or pmachelor@azstarnet.com
