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Children’s Books – the joy of keeping wonder alive

Delores Topliff • Jun 21, 2022

Today I welcome guest author Delores Topliff as she shares about her children's books and how we can keep the wonder alive no matter our age.

     

Whoosh was my first printed children’s book, the true story of my oldest son praying for an owl to keep as a pet in a mountain valley where there were no owls. All the kids at school knew he’d prayed and were expecting the answer that did come on swift feathered wings and blessed us all.

         My other three children’s books started grew me from being a big sister and then a mom and grandma. Our family situation meant I took care of my younger sister and brother most evenings and bedtimes. We kids were each six years apart. Instead of reading stories, they wanted me to make them up.

         “About what?” I’d ask, and they would choose. That’s how two of our favorites tales got born and repeated and embellished through many years. One turned out to be very loved by many other people, too, so Little Big Chief: The Bear Hunt got printed. So did its stand-alone sequel, Little Chief and Ogopogo, based on a frequently seen deep-lake creature in Lake Okanagan in Canada.

Those two adventure books are written in rhyme. As a kid I loved Longfellow’s Hiawatha. In third grade when I started belting out stories to my classmates, I used those same fun cadenced drumbeats. I can rattle off pages of those books in rhyme and so can my grandson who is now 6’ 5”. Kids never grow too old for the stories they love—or the storytellers.

         My newest book began the same way. I’d told one granddaughter the story she’d requested and then said, “Now you tell me a story.” She was age four. Hers was not long, but it was wonderful with enough story kernel for me to create Woodsy the Wonder Bear from Brittney’s inspiration. That and one of my rhymed adventure books won first prize in an international children’s story book contest. I’ve been privileged to choose the artists and art work for my books. I’m also thrilled to have many treasured photos of friends (and new friends) reading my books to children.

         View my four books on my website https://delorestopliff.com/ . They’re on Amazon in print or kindle or contact me directly and I’ll sign and mail copies any way you wish.

         Reading or telling children stories is a wonderful way to connect. I’d be honored to have you read mine, but also encourage you to tell and write your own stories to make this world and our children richer.


About Delores: 

Besides teaching college online at Univ. of Northwestern-St. Paul, editing, and conducting writing workshops, Delores divides her year between her family’s small Milaca, Minnesota farm and warmer temperatures in Northeastern Mississippi with its gentle people and accents. She’s thankful for her two fine doctor sons, five delightful grandchildren, and her many North American and international friends.

Website: https://delorestopliff.com

Blog: https://delorestopliff.com/blog/

Email delores@delorestopliff.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DETopliff

Twitter: @delorestopliff

Instagram: delorese.topliff



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