- Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. Hi! Iโm Mallory. I grew up on the farm fields of Marana, Arizona, where I learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and grit. A former math educator and National Teaching Excellence Award recipient, Iโve always been passionate about inspiring children to learn and grow with confidence.
Through Tony Tractor and his friends, I hope to spark a love of reading in children everywhereโshowing that even lifeโs challenges can lead to new strengths and bright beginnings.
I reside in rural Arizona with my husband, son, and two dogs. I enjoy traveling, reading, and staying active while keeping up with my energetic little oneโand I have an undeniable love for college basketball, especially March Madness!
- What is the inspiration behind your book Tony Tractor Gets Glasses?
A2. Tony Tractor Gets Glasses was inspired by my amazing nephew, Payson. When he was diagnosed with strabismus and needed glasses and multiple eye surgeries, he embraced every challenge with such confidence and strength. Watching his journey inspired me to create a story that would help himโand other kidsโfeel brave and proud of what makes them unique. Tonyโs journey is really about turning something that feels scary into a celebration of courage, confidence, and self-acceptance.
- When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
A3. My love of reading started with my mom, who filled our home with books and always encouraged our imagination. I was also inspired by several wonderful elementary teachers who made reading and writing come alive for me. We had reading contests, wrote and illustrated our own stories, and even got to place our โbooksโ in the school libraryโwhich felt so magical at the time. Those early experiences planted the seed that stories have power and that I could one day be a storyteller, too. Later, as a teacher, aunt, and mother myself, I saw firsthand how books can help children learn, feel understood, and grow confidentโand thatโs when I knew I truly wanted to become an author.
I love reading to my son and even packed a book in my hospital bag to read to him the night he was born.
- Please tell us something about your book Tony Tractor Gets Glasses.
A4. Tony Tractor Gets Glasses is a heartwarming picture book about a tractor who discovers he needs glassesโand worries how his friends will react. With encouragement, Tony learns that glasses donโt change who he is; they help him see his world more clearly and do his best work. The story promotes self-acceptance, confidence, and the importance of supporting friends through changes. Itโs filled with colorful illustrations, farmyard fun, and even a hidden ladybug โEaster eggโ on every page in memory of my grandmother, Judy.
- For which age group is your book Tony Tractor Gets Glasses?
A5. Itโs perfect for children ages 3 to 8, though parents, teachers, and eye-care professionals have told me they love sharing it with readers of all ages. Itโs especially helpful for little ones adjusting to glasses or other changes that make them feel different.
- What is your favorite quote?
A6. โBe yourself; everyone else is already taken.โ โ Oscar Wilde
Itโs a reminder that our differences are what make us specialโand thatโs the message I hope every child takes away from my books.
- What do you like the most about your country?
A7. I love the sense of possibility here. The idea that with hard work, creativity, and heart, you can build something meaningful from the ground up. As a childrenโs book author, the ability to follow my dreams by creating and sharing stories that make a difference means everything to me.
- What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. Make reading fun and part of your daily routineโsnuggle up together, use silly voices, and talk about the pictures. Let kids see you enjoying books, too! Most of all, let reading be about connection, not perfection. Those shared moments build a lifelong love of stories and reading.
- What does literary success look like to you?
A9. For me, success isnโt about sales or awardsโitโs about impact. When a parent tells me their child now loves their glasses because of Tony, or when a teacher shares my book in class to spark confidence, thatโs true success. Touching even one childโs heart makes all the hard work worthwhile.
- Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
A10. My biggest inspiration in life is my parents. They showed me the meaning of hard work, resilience, and putting others first. They created an amazing childhood for meโfull of love, laughter, and familyโand taught me the importance of staying grounded and kind. Their example shaped the person I am today and inspires me to give my own son that same strong foundation built on love, gratitude, and togetherness. Family has always been at the heart of everything I do, both in life and in my stories.
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