Do It All Mamas (& Papas): Meet the children's author behind Cinder Rabbit and other books

June 4, 10:58 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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Photo by: Sonya Sones

In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) the spotlight s on children's author Lynn E. Hazen, mom to two sons.

Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.

Lynn: I have several pursuits I love (and juggle). I've been the owner and director of a private preschool for 25 years. I write books for children and young adults. I love to garden, especially butterfly gardening. I teach classes for adults at UC Berkeley Extension and Stanford Continuing Studies on Writing For Children. Some days I wish there were more hours in a day. Other times I wish it were bedtime already!

Examiner: Tell me about your latest book.

Lynn I have 3 latest books in 2008-2009! Shifty (a young adult novel) is A Smithsonian Notable Book, a VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "Top Shelf Fiction,” and I just found out today that Shifty is included in CCBC Choices 2009 (the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children's Book Center)! I'm jazzed. Cinder Rabbit and The Amazing Trail Of Seymour Snail are young chapter books for pre-K to 3rd graders.

Examiner: How did you get started as a children's author?

Lynn: I was inspired by reading tons of books aloud to my own kids and to the preschool children. I went to writing conferences and when my own sons headed to college I attended Vermont College where I completed my MFA in Writing For Children & Young Adults.

Examiner: What is your favorite book you've written?
Lynn: No fair! That's like asking me to choose my favorite child. I love Mermaid Mary Margaret  (a middle grade novel) because it was my first book published. I love Buzz Bumble because it was my first picture book, it's funny, and the theme (sibling rivalry) is universal. I love Cinder Rabbit because it's fun and was inspired by my preschool children. I love Shifty because my heart and soul went into writing it, it's my most literary, and I'm getting great responses from the youth and adults who read it. Finally, I love my upcoming The Amazing Trail Of Seymour Snail as it was partially inspired by my own (sometimes slow) creative process as well as the seemingly slow process of the publishing world.

Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?

Lynn: First of all, there is no "having it all."  There is usually a shortage of something--not enough time, not enough money, not enough relaxation and "quality time" with family, not enough sleep, a house that's not clean enough, and not enough energy to carve out one's creative endeavors. We're constantly making choices about what we (and our family) need and want. It's a juggle for sure. The secret? Perhaps knowing that nobody "has it all." Then do your best juggling it all while appreciating what you have. A sense of humor helps, too.

Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?

Lynn: There are some challenging days as a parent that go by very sloooowly, so slowly you think bedtime will never come. But the years go by very quickly. So turn off the TV, enjoy time with your children, share meals, conversations, books, and activities together. And if at all possible, try to find some time to follow your own creative pursuits.

Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?

Lynn: When my sons were younger, we all loved going to Camp Mather, a family camp near Yosemite, for a week full of relaxing, reading, swimming, hiking and outdoor activities. 

Examiner: Anything else you want to add?

Lynn: I write books filled with humor, heart and hope.  Those three things come in handy when raising a family, too.