I would like to introduce you all to the talented Barbara
Ann Mojica, read on…
Title: Little Miss History Travels
to MOUNT RUSHMORE
Author: Barbara Ann
Mojica
Page Count: 36
ISBN: 978-0-9885030-0-7
Genre: children's non-fiction
Cost: $13.95 US
Can you tell me something about yourself?
I am a historian and retired educator living in New York
State in the United States. I hold a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in History.
I spent more than 40 years teaching in New York City and possess New York State teacher certifications in
Elementary, Special Education, and Administration. I also spent several years
as a Special Education Administrator and principal of a special education
preschool for developmentally delayed children.
Although retired from teaching, I
am staying busy: along with my forthcoming series of Little Miss HISTORY travel books I write
historical pieces for The Columbia Insider, Pat Fisher and Ed Pollack Editors,
under the banner “Passages”. In addition
I review children's books on my blog twice weekly. Marrying my love of history and teaching, I
hope that my Little Miss HISTORY character will inspire children to learn about
historical people, and visit landmarks such as the one covered in this book,
Mount Rushmore.
I have read your reviews and am
very impressed.
What inspired you to write?
Now that I am retired from teaching and administration, I
have the time to go back to researching and writing, which I have always loved.
In college and graduate school I majored in history and English so I've spent a
lot of time researching and writing ; I got back to that by writing historical
pieces. My career focused on a love of teaching and children so I thought, “Why
not write for children?” A new core
curriculum recently adopted here in the US now emphasizes the use of
non-fiction over fiction in the classroom. I thought why not introduce a
whimsical character to make learning history fun. That is how Little Miss
HISTORY popped into my mind. As you might have guessed, she is largely
autobiographical.
Yes, I have read your book and can see how attractive it would be
to children.
Who are you favourite authors?
My favourite authors for adult literature are Stephen King,
James Patterson, John Grisham and Pearl S. Buck. In the field of children's
literature, I love all the classic books in the Golden Book series. Some of my
favourite authors are Jan Pfloog, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, Donald Crews, Don
Freeman and Eve Bunting.
Can you tell me something about your latest book?
Little Miss History Travels to Mount Rushmore is the
first in a series of books using the
Little Miss History character as a guide. She looks like a wannabe park ranger
with pig tails and hiking boots three sizes too big. With her as a guide
learning about people and places of historical importance will be fun and
educational. I have already written four more books in the series. The second
book taking her to The Statue of Liberty is currently being illustrated and
will be available in a couple of months.
Sounds like another interesting
read.
How long did it take you to write
it?
It takes about two months for each book. I reread and revise
the manuscript several times before it is illustrated. If needed, I revise my
work as new material or developments occur.
Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set
time for writing, did you do any research or anything else of interest that was
involved?
I am always working on my next adult historical article for
the biweekly news magazine. My blog goes online on Wednesdays and Sundays so I
am reading and reviewing children's books for that. Typically I start each day
by answering email, phone calls, and using social media for marketing and
promotion. The rest of the day is spent researching, reviewing books, writing
and/or editing. I consult with my husband, who is also my illustrator and
publisher. There is no set order of doing things, but I do like to keep way
ahead of deadlines.
What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished
your book.
I want children to be inspired to learn about historic
people, places and events, but more importantly to have fun while they are
doing that! Adult reviewers have told me
that they wished they had books like this when they were in school. Children
love the fact that it is a picture book with a character with whom they
identify. Maybe they will convince their parents and/or teachers to journey
with them to visit some of these sites as well.
Fun is very important.
WOULD YOU BE KIND
ENOUGH TO GIVE US AN INTERESTING
PARAGRAPH OR TWO FROM BOOK?
When you travel to Mount Rushmore you will see the heads of
four of our most famous presidents carved into the granite rocks of the Black
Hills of South Dakota. They are from left to right: George Washington, Thomas
Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Today more than 3 million
people visit Mount Rushmore each year. The face of Jefferson was planned for
Washington's right side, but the rock was poor so they had to dynamite it and
carve a new face on Washington's left side. The carvings are scaled to men who
would stand 465 feet tall. Each eye is 11 feet across! The presidents' noses
are 20 feet long! Their mouths are 18 feet wide! Every worker had to climb 506 steps to the
top of Mount Rushmore each day. More than 800 million pounds of stone were
taken away. Most of it was removed by dynamiting the rock. No one died during
the whole time of construction. That is an amazing record!
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my story with
your readers today, Diane.
And thank you Barbara for giving
us an insight into your work.
Any other links of interest:
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.cohttp://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Ann-Mojica/e/B00B9DOVKC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1359994773&sr=1-2-ent
