[Guest Blogger] Have You Ever Dreamed of Writing for Children?

Today's guest blogger is Dana Lehman, author of the Mom's Choice Award-winning children's Walnut Grove series. She is working on the third title in the series (currently titled I Can Do It!) to be released in 2010.

We asked Dana to share with us her inspiration on how she became a children's author and how others can follow their dreams, too.

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When I was in college I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was dating my boyfriend (future husband). He was going to school to be a mechanical engineer. He said that he always knew he wanted to be an engineer. I was envious because I didn’t know what kind of career I wanted to pursue. I wondered…would I ever find a career that I really loved?

I did know one thing. I loved my boyfriend (now husband) and I wanted to get married to him, have children, and stay home with my children. That part of my dream…I accomplished. I know that I am fortunate that I have been able to be a stay at home mom. I would not trade my time with my kids for anything. I have enjoyed every minute of it…well almost all of it!

About three years ago I wrote a children’s book. Originally, just for my boys. My mom used to tell us stories about a squirrel when we were growing up. Every squirrel story taught us a lesson. When my kids got older she started telling them squirrel stories. When I watched her tell her stories, and watched their faces, it brought back memories of when I was a child.

The lesson my mom always taught us when we were growing up was to treat others as you would like to be treated. One day, after visiting my mom, and listening to one of her squirrel stories, I decided that I was going to write a book. A book for my kids, about a squirrel, who gets teased because he is different, and always treats others as he wants to be treated. With all the violence in schools it was a good lesson to teach children. The earlier they were taught…the better.

My mother-in-law is an artist. I asked her to do the illustrations. She accepted and in my opinion did a beautiful job!

I had no intention of getting my book published. It was originally a gift for my boys for Christmas. I have a lot of friends that are teachers. They were encouraging me to get Adventures at Walnut Grove: A Lesson about Teasing published and go to schools to do author presentations.

It took me a while to finally get the courage to pursue getting my book published. I kept doubting myself. All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind. What if kids don’t like my story? What if parents don’t like my story? These thoughts lasted about a year…

I opened Lehman Publishing in December of 2006. I have a friend that works for a newspaper. She does the lay-out for the newspaper and my books. I hired two editors and a printer. We have now published two books: Adventures at Walnut Grove: A Lesson about Teasing and I DOUBLE Dare You! I am currently working on my third book titled I Can Do It! It is about self-esteem and how you can do anything if you believe in yourself! (It’s always good to write from experience.)

I did not send my manuscript to any publishers because my illustrations were already complete. I read that a publisher only wants your manuscript. They find their own illustrator. That wasn’t an option for me. The illustrations were done and they were just as I had envisioned them.

After the book was done my mother-in-law called and told me that she was donating all of her royalties as illustrator to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She donates money and I donate books.

Now I do school presentations. Remember how I asked if I would ever find a career that I loved? Well, I found it! Other than being a mom it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I believe I am successful! I will be posting thank you letters on my website that I have received from children soon. I am making a difference in children’s lives! I never imagined I could find a career that I loved this much! I just had to take that step…and believe in myself.


-Dana Lehman

What's all the hoopla about banning children's books?

You may be hearing a lot of information (and misinformation) about your library getting rid of children's books or your local used bookstore or thrift store no longer taking or selling kids books.

So, what's this all about anyway?

Background

In February 2009 H.R. 4040, the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), went into effect. H.R. 4040 establishes consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products (especially lead-based products). The legislation works to ensure safe levels of lead and phthalates (a substance added to plastics to increase flexibility) in all products manufactured for children under the age of 12.

After February 9, 2009, all manufacturers, providers, sellers, and resellers of children’s products targeted at ages 12 and under are required to test their products for safety and unit label each product as safe. Even if the products are made from all-natural materials or if there is documentation from a manufacturer or seller stating that the items are safe, the products must still have costly unit testing and certification for each item intended for children 12 and under.

What does this have to do with children's books?

The government has deemed that any children's book printed before 1985 may have unsafe lead levels in the ink used to print the book and therefore cannot be sold to children without the proper lead testing. If the seller is caught selling books to children under 12 without the proper testing costly fines are involved.

The lead testing may be costly per unit, so many stores, libraries, and thrift stores are simply getting rid of the books instead of taking the chance on being fined.

You mean some people are throwing out books? Isn't this overkill?

Yes. Many stores, libraries and resellers have already disposed of thousands of children's books.
Yes, we believe this is overkill and a travesty.

Does this mean that we can't find any children's books before 1985 on The Book Blues webstore?

No. You can still find used children's books (1985 and before) listed under our children's collectibles. As defined by the government, The Book Blues can sell these books as collectors items. They are intended for collectors use only and not for children under 12.

Does The Book Blues believe that these books are a threat to children?

It is our personal belief that these books do not pose a threat to children. Lead paint, if it exists at all, has been shown to be negligible in books. This means that your child would have to ingest an unrealistic amount of the book in order to be affected. We have found no documented children's injuries or illnesses due to lead paint poisoning from books.

Not only that, we let our child still "read" and play with books printed before 1985. And sometimes we even find them in her mouth.

*gasp*

You will need to make your own determination if the books you have in your house printed before 1985 are suitable for your child.

You can read more about the CPSIA and children's books on our site.