I remember enjoying a number of books as a child, but One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Suess was my favorite. This beginner book still actually makes me smile today. 

Not only did I enjoy hearing the book’s whimsical rhyming words and looking at its colorful illustrations, but I always got a kick out of the questions Dr. Seuss encouraged young readers to ask their parents. For example: “Why are they sad and glad and bad? I do not know. Go ask your dad.”

These questions made me comfortable with asking questions, even when I believed they were silly.  One Fish, Two Fish also gave me permission to imagine the who, what, and why details of the characters’ lives. 

Now that I’m an author, I hope that Clucky Comes Home has the same impact on today’s young readers. From being the star of a rodeo to soaring with hawks, this book is full of colorful illustrations that push the boundaries of what can happen in the life of an ordinary chicken. Honestly, I feel excited when a picture of Clucky makes me giggle, because allowing ourselves to have the freedom to be silly unlocks a world of possibilities. 

Think about it: the first sketches for the Wright Brothers flying machine had to be very funny to someone. 

I hope Clucky’s daydreams (no matter how big they seem) encourage future generations to think outside the box, too. 

I have a confession to make: Clucky Comes Home isn’t my first children’s book. I actually wrote, illustrated and self-published a book when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Haha!

Ok.. this book wasn’t much of a book at all. It looked more like a homemade pamphlet.  I don’t recall the name of my first book, but I do remember the subject matter.  It was a book  about how to grow a houseplant (a skill I didn’t master until the COVID-19 quarantine). The pages were made from typing paper and the cover was made of green construction paper.  I don’t remember many other details about that book, but I do remember the sense of accomplishment I experienced when my mom helped me make it.

Today, I feel this same sense of pride as I celebrate the completion of Clucky Comes Home. Much like mastering the art of growing the plants I wrote about as a kid, publishing your first “adult book” is also a multi-step process:

Step 1: You must plant a seed.

Realizing that I could write my own stories planted a seed for my future. 

Step 2: You must give your plants light (and water.)

That seed was fed by my parents, grandparents, babysitters and teachers who spent time reading to me as well as teaching me how to read, write and later type. The adults in my life also helped to ensure my writing seed received plenty of light by taking me to the library and bookstore. 

Step 3: You must be patient. 

My love of writing followed me throughout my life. I captioned many of my family photo albums. I wrote for my high school and college newspapers. I also began my career as a news reporter. However,  my dream of writing a children’s book didn’t  fully mature until well into my adulthood. And the wait has been well worth it.

XOXO,

Keiana