It’s about Love with Katie Frawley

Hi everyone!

I’m honored because today the fabulous Katie Frawley joins my blog! She’s the author of Tabitha and Fritz Trade Places and the co-creator of the #FireButtChallenge on Twitter, where you team up with someone and support each other to write something (story, revision, query) that day. Yes, I am a member and it’s a great way to get words on a page. Now to the fun questions!

Hi, Katie! Thank you for chatting with me today!

Hi, Kelly. I am always glad to help kids get books into their hands! A love of reading is best started young.

I agree! Can you tell us what was your first memory as a child where you were connected to a book?  

I suppose my earliest book memory is The Night Before Christmas. My mom would read it to us every year on Christmas Eve, she in her chair, we four kids gathered around her feet on the floor. She knew every word by heart, so she never had to look at the pages or turn the book toward her. She knew when to turn the page without peeking, which felt a whole lot like Christmas magic to me. She still reads this book every year on Christmas Eve, but now she reads it to her grandchildren.

I can imagine you and your siblings sitting around completely engaged by her reading! There is something so simple, yet so magical about story time. I love that your mom knew all the words by memory. My heart lights up a little more hearing she continues the tradition with her grandchildren. That is a special memory that will stay with your kids when they think of Christmas.

Stories can leave such an impression on the lives of children. In what ways do you hope your writing will impact the lives of children?

I hope to help kids fall in love with books! My second daughter is a bit of a reluctant reader, but I keep telling her, “We just haven’t found the right kind of books for you YET!” I’m so glad there are so many different books out there for the many different kinds of kids. The right book for EVERY kid is out there…somewhere.

I think you’ve brought up a very important point, Katie. Not all readers are alike or have the same interests. I know my oldest loves fiction while my youngest only wants to have us read nonfiction. Picture books have so many different avenues to grab a readers attention. We’re hoping to bring a variety of books to Karachi, Pakistan because we think it’s important to have a various styles of books for children to read.

Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Katie, and for fostering the love for reading!