Laura Crawford is a local author and teacher who has published six children's books which help children enjoy learning about history and animals. She occasionally gives mini-seminars about writing and recently granted this interview to help children's authors understand the rewards and challenges of writing for kids.
Q: How did your students react when they found out you were going to publish a book?
A: They were very excited for me. I did an assembly at the school, so that was fun. They always ask if I went to the Arctic. I wish this were true, but I haven’t visited there. They also ask if I am rich from writing books. Again, I wish it were so, but it’s not.
Q: How has your writing inspired your students?
A: I’ve had several students write stories and share them with me. They ask about getting their work published, so I put together a list of contests and magazines that take children’s submissions. I always tell them that if I did it, they can too.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other writers, what would it be?
A: I would suggest that they join a writing group right away.
Q: Do you have any new writing projects in the works that you can tell us about?
A: I have several in progress. I am working on a picture book biography of a female Revolutionary soldier who dressed as a man. I’m also working on a non-fiction book about the platypus. And I just started a book about a leprechaun. As you can tell, I have a wide range of ideas! My goal is to write books that are good for teachers to use in a classroom.
Laura Crawford makes daily appearances at the Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, where she inspires children to share her love of reading, science, and social studies. You can visit the writers’ and teachers’ blog that Laura contributes to online by clicking on this link: http://wildaboutnaturewriters.blogspot.com/
Books by Laura Crawford:
- Postcards from Washington D.C.
- Postcards from Chicago
- Postcards from New York City
- The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z
- The American Revolution from A to Z
- In Arctic Waters
All of Laura's books are available for checkout from the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, and many of them can be found at the Batavia and Poplar Creek libraries as well.
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