Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve
been super interested in other people. I like to think it’s because I’m
curious, but honestly, I think it’s because I am this weird mix of really nosy
and also pretty shy.
Starting in third grade and for
years beyond, my favorite book—hands down—was HARRIET THE SPY by Louise
Fitzhugh. The book’s characters seemed so vivid and original. It really was
unlike anything else I’d ever read, and I read it obsessively (so often, in
fact, that I had to use stickers and duct tape on the book’s spine to keep my
copy from falling apart.)
years beyond, my favorite book—hands down—was HARRIET THE SPY by Louise
Fitzhugh. The book’s characters seemed so vivid and original. It really was
unlike anything else I’d ever read, and I read it obsessively (so often, in
fact, that I had to use stickers and duct tape on the book’s spine to keep my
copy from falling apart.)
By the time I was a teen, I was an
avid people watcher. I also got very involved in community and high school
theater. And if you think about it, what else is theater but people-watching?
avid people watcher. I also got very involved in community and high school
theater. And if you think about it, what else is theater but people-watching?
I’m fascinated by people’s
experiences, the choices they make, what their passions are, and how they
choose to pursue them.
experiences, the choices they make, what their passions are, and how they
choose to pursue them.
It’s not really surprising to me
that I’d be drawn to writing biographies. Early in the research process, I try
to figure out: What is important to this person? How does it shape their life?
And, through learning about them, what can we learn about life’s possibilities?
that I’d be drawn to writing biographies. Early in the research process, I try
to figure out: What is important to this person? How does it shape their life?
And, through learning about them, what can we learn about life’s possibilities?
So, when I’m thinking about the
focus of a book, I try not to think in general terms (This is a book about
Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is a book John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This is a
book about Susy Clemens.) I try instead to create a sentence that will give a
shape to the story arc, a sentence that reveals character and explores a theme
in a specific way:
focus of a book, I try not to think in general terms (This is a book about
Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is a book John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This is a
book about Susy Clemens.) I try instead to create a sentence that will give a
shape to the story arc, a sentence that reveals character and explores a theme
in a specific way:
A HOME FOR MR. EMERSON
Ralph Waldo Emerson spent his life
building community, and in his hour of need, his friends and neighbors came to
his aid.
building community, and in his hour of need, his friends and neighbors came to
his aid.
THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had
different values, lifestyles, and personalities, but they came together and
cooperated for the good of the country.
different values, lifestyles, and personalities, but they came together and
cooperated for the good of the country.
THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN
(ACCORDING TO SUSY)
(ACCORDING TO SUSY)
Susy Clemens was determined to write
a biography of her father that would set the record straight.
a biography of her father that would set the record straight.
I see my fascination with people in
full force in my expository writing, as well. I write concept books with
National Geographic, and each book explores a theme. My first book with Nat Geo
was A COOL DRINK OF WATER, and it was inspired by my two years’ in the Peace
Corps, from 1981-1983. I taught math, science, and English in a tiny town, one
day’s walk up the hill on a dirt road. In my town, the houses had thatched
roofs, no electricity, and no running water.
And it was the fact that I had to
walk with my jug down to the community water tap every day and carry my water
home that led, many years later, to my book about water. I was back home in the
U.S., reading an issue of National
Geographic magazine, when I turned the page and saw a photograph of two
women in India, carrying brass water pots on their heads. They looked so strong
and yet so graceful. As soon as I saw the photo, I thought: I want to write
about water, not just in Nepal but around the world. And happily, the photo
that made me want to write the book is in the book.
walk with my jug down to the community water tap every day and carry my water
home that led, many years later, to my book about water. I was back home in the
U.S., reading an issue of National
Geographic magazine, when I turned the page and saw a photograph of two
women in India, carrying brass water pots on their heads. They looked so strong
and yet so graceful. As soon as I saw the photo, I thought: I want to write
about water, not just in Nepal but around the world. And happily, the photo
that made me want to write the book is in the book.
Again, instead of thinking in
general terms, I try to create a statement that gives the text a clear
focus—what, specifically, do I want to say about this topic?
general terms, I try to create a statement that gives the text a clear
focus—what, specifically, do I want to say about this topic?
WITH A FRIEND BY YOUR SIDE
Reach out to others, for life is better with friends.
In different ways around the world, we
all drink water.
A LITTLE PEACE
Each of us can do small things to
make the world more peaceful.
make the world more peaceful.
My books have covered a huge range of
topics, but at the core, they really have all been about people. Endlessly
fascinating—especially, to me.
topics, but at the core, they really have all been about people. Endlessly
fascinating—especially, to me.
Barbara Kerley is the award-winning
author of nonfiction and fiction for kids, including her latest book, the
middle grade novel, FOLLOWING BAXTER. Her biographies include TIGERS AND TEA
WITH TOPPY (October, 2018); THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS; and WHAT TO DO
ABOUT ALICE? Her concept books, illustrated with National Geographic
photographs, include BRAVE LIKE ME; ONE WORLD, ONE DAY; and THE WORLD IS
WAITING FOR YOU. She lives in Portland, OR. Visit her website at www.barbarakerley.com
author of nonfiction and fiction for kids, including her latest book, the
middle grade novel, FOLLOWING BAXTER. Her biographies include TIGERS AND TEA
WITH TOPPY (October, 2018); THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS; and WHAT TO DO
ABOUT ALICE? Her concept books, illustrated with National Geographic
photographs, include BRAVE LIKE ME; ONE WORLD, ONE DAY; and THE WORLD IS
WAITING FOR YOU. She lives in Portland, OR. Visit her website at www.barbarakerley.com
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Topics
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5 Responses
Good news! Barbara is running a book giveaway for her latest book Tigers and Tea with Toppy over on goodreads.
Here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37825388-tigers-and-tea-with-toppy
Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying the Dig Deeper series of blog posts. Thank you!
Thanks, Jilanne.
Great way to think about nonfiction.
Thanks–love this series too, and I am a huge fan of Barbara's work. A Home for Mr. Emerson is one of my favorite picture books, especially when discussing theme.