ella learns to dance

Please welcome award winning author Stenetta Anthony to Frog on a Blog! Stenetta has published three lovely picture books and is working on publishing a fourth. She was an elementary school teacher for many years before becoming an author, and this is what she said about her new life’s path: “This change in career has taken me to places that I never envisioned as a teacher.”

I love how Stenetta’s books often include animals, and it’s through the animals’ stories that kids learn self-love as well as kindness and empathy for others. Her books clearly carry messages of hope and inspiration. We all need a little bit more hope and inspiration in our lives, don’t you think? Now, let’s hear from Stenetta about her books and her journey as a children’s book author!

Please share a little about each of your picture books and what inspired them.

SA: My first book, The Love Story, was inspired by a question asked by a young child who wanted to know who God is. Although I was familiar with children’s Bibles and other materials to educate children about God, I found it difficult finding a book which introduced a child or adult who was unfamiliar to God and why he was so important to our world.

A Home for Sally came from a place of concern for special needs animals and children. Using Sally’s story to promote empathy and understanding is an essential representation of a child with a disability, where they don’t feel alone and learn that being “perfectly imperfect” is okay, reinforcing the idea that everyone is beautiful.

Ella Learns to Dance was written to demonstrate the misconceptions and stereotypes that sometimes surround a person who does not look like a ballerina, empowering a child to follow their dream regardless of what others may say.

Each of these books was written to foster inclusivity, validation, and empathy on the importance of kindness, love, understanding and acceptance.

Why do you believe picture books are important for children?

SA: As a former educator, children are introduced to words at an early age either through watching television, social media or [other] avenues. Picture books introduce children to the world. Connecting the words with the pictures increases a child’s language skill, emotional literacy and visual thinking. Children can look at a picture and sometimes create their own story, developing creativity in the mind of a child.

What route did you take to publish your books—traditional, self-published, or hybrid—and why?

SA: The route I have taken to publish most of my books is hybrid; however, I have had the opportunity to self-publish one of my books, which was valuable to my learning more about the steps necessary to publishing.

Tell us a bit about your journey from being a teacher to becoming a children’s author.

SA: Many people dream about becoming an author; however, this is not my story. I was an educator for 22 years teaching pre-kindergarten – 3^rd graders. During the years spent in the classroom as a teacher, I often looked for books that reflected my students, especially those with a disability; however, this was often difficult. This desire had me creating stories of my own. One day, while reading one of my creative stories to a friend, they asked, “Where did you get that book? I love it.” Telling them I had written it myself, they quickly asked, “Have you ever thought about publishing your own books?”

After this conversation, thought and time, along with encouragement from my husband and children, I wrote and published my first children’s book entitled The Love Story, with three more books to follow and presently working on publishing my fourth children’s book, taking this teacher on a journey that took me from the classroom to becoming a published, multi award-winning children’s book author.

How would you encourage others who dream about being a published author?

SA: Following your dream can sometimes be intimidating. Since writing my first book, I have been told on multiple occasions, “I want to write a book.” The simple answer always given is to just start writing. Carry a pen, paper, digital recorder or other material and begin the writing process. Remember to never give up regardless of how long the process may take. Never give up on your dream to become a published author.

Multi award-winning author, Stenetta Anthony, was an elementary school educator for 22 years before becoming a published author, after reading hundreds, possibly thousands of books to her students and writing her own books. Stenetta has a passion for creating books that engage, enhance, elevate, motivate and evoke a love for reading in children. She is a graduate of Grand Canyon University. When Stenetta is not writing, she enjoys time speaking and reading with children in educational settings and other venues. Stenetta’s goal is to inspire people through her books.

To learn more about Stenetta and her books, visit her Website: www.stenettaanthony.weebly.com

Or connect with her on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/stenetta-anthony

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/StenettaA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stenettaanthony/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stenetta-anthony-42b28544