Making News
As new authors we thought our readers might be interested in learning more about us.Why did we write the book?
From being walking partners for years, we think it is fair to say we both had a desire to write but, what, when and where. Then in February 2007 Kathy and I took a leisurely and unexpected vacation to Sarasota, Florida. During this incredible stay Kathy and I recalled stories about our childhood and our family pets. It was at this time we realized our stories were worth capturing on paper. With inspirational beaches as our backdrop, we embarked on one of life’s most exciting journeys-writing. Our first published book is based on a true story about the Powell family, their neighborhood and an amazing family dog, named Friday.
What got us interested in reading?
by Kathy Pautler
Some of my earliest memories of reading come from my father, John. While growing up my father, worked two jobs for seventeen years. His relaxation from his jobs and raising five children was to read three newspapers a day. A book always sat next to his chair in the living room. When throat cancer took his voice away, reading provided him with pleasure and escapism from his illness. My father passed this love of the written word onto me.
I was allowed to walk to the Pine Hill library when I was in third or fourth grade. Here the friendly librarians introduced me to the popular authors of the day, theme and holiday books, and of course, Nancy Drew. It must have been a natural progression to go from elementary teacher to reading teacher. While on the job, my primary objective was to encourage struggling readers to love reading through the characters of Amelia Bedelia, Henry and Mudge, Matt Christopher, Stone Fox and so many others. I hope this passion burns brightly in the hearts and souls of my students and my own children. Today I always carry a book with me just in case a few, free minutes becomes available.
What got us interested in reading?
Eleanor Powell Bartlett
My parents were born and raised in the South, during a time when educational opportunities were limited for most African Americans. My dad had nine brothers and two sisters. Traditionally, families were large and children who became of age left school and worked the farm. Education and reading were secondary. As a result my dad had only a 3rd grade education. My mother, who lived in a small town was fortunate to graduate with an 8th grade education and loved to read. But most of my father’s life he worked two jobs to support five children and just to make ends meet. As a grade school child I watched my dad work all day. Then on Monday and Wednesday nights he headed off to school to enhance his reading skills and to acquire a basic education. His words ring vividly in my mind, “Go to school, learn to read and don’t waste the opportunity.”