- Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
Hello! My name is Hailey Kathleen Hall, I am an author and artist based in St. Louis, Missouri with two published books. The first, which was published by Mater Media last September, is a collection of religious poetry and art entitled “Passion Flowers in Bloom.” I just released the first of my many children’s books: “An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet” on October 4th.
- What is your inspiration behind your book “An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet”?
“An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet” was originally created as a Christmas gift for my nieces almost a decade ago! I wanted to give them something special, and this just came to me. It took very little time to come up with the idea and the original artwork, but years in getting it released. So long, in fact, that I had to update my dedication to include seven more nieces and nephews!
- When did you realize you want to be an author?
Hmm. Good question! I’m actually not sure. It just sort of happened that way! Though people have told me for years that I should write a book, I never really wanted to be in the public eye. I mean, I originally wanted “Passion Flowers” to be an anonymous work, but when Mater Media picked it up (without my submitting it!) we came to the conclusion that it would be better to have my name on it… That thrust me out into the open pretty quick!
- Please tell us something about your book “An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet”?
Sure! I can tell you a few things: First, all of the artwork in “An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet” is hand-drawn by yours truly, save for a couple of backgrounds that were designed using a computer. Second, I want to encourage people to go all the way through the book. It doesn’t end with “Z!” There are a few more pages I added to the end of the book, one is the section on reader engagement, inspired by a little friend of mine who found out that I had made the book as a gift for my nieces, and she in turn made one for her little sister. It was so sweet that I got permission to use it in the book to encourage others to do the same!
- For which age group is your book “An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet” suitable for?
The book is fun as a read-aloud for kids 3 and up and can also be great for middle readers.
- What is your favorite Quote?
This one pretty much sums up how I feel about everything right now:
“You’re ‘nervous-cited!’ it’s like you want to jump up and down and yell ‘YAY ME!!!!’ but you also want to curl up in a teeny tiny ball and hide at the same time.” – Pinkie Pie
- What do you like the most about your country?
I love that Freedom of Religion, the freedom to not only worship but to live my faith publicly in my everyday life, and the Freedom of Speech are enshrined in our constitution as fundamental rights of our citizenship. I know that most of the world does not have those freedoms, and so I cherish mine… who knows? We may lose them some day. I also love and am grateful for all those who fight for our freedoms and protect us: our military, especially our veterans and those we’ve lost on the battlefield; as well as our police, firefighters, nurses, and EMTs who give of themselves every day to keep us safe!
- What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
Here’s a good one: If you have a little one who is struggling to learn to read, have them read to you! If they start stumbling over words or making mistakes, resist the temptation to do it for them. Instead, gently ask them to slow down and sound the word out and ask them if they know what it means. If they say yes, have them use it to prove it! If not, explain what it means and then have them use it. This helps build vocabulary and reading comprehension and gives the little ones more confidence too!
- What does literary success look like to you?
Well, I think seeing the delight in a young child’s eyes and hearing them cry “Again! Again!” when they finish a book would be the very definition of literary success for me. I’m not one who wants fame or fortune. (In fact, I would rather be a fly on the wall than up on a stage!) My greatest desire is just to make kids smile!
- Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
Now that is a tough question! I would have to say my husband. Not only has he been my greatest support, he is such a beautiful, prayerful, intelligent man with a heart of gold and humility to spare! I am so grateful to know him!
Buy An Aunt’s Animal Alphabet on Amazon
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