Gratitude is important to Nana Claus. Even the smallest act of kindness
spreads joy, like sending thank-you notes. Nana Claus helps some special
friends learn to write thank-you notes to thank others for what they do for
them. Nana and her friends learn about ways to say thank you using short
notes.
Interview
What is the hardest part of writing
your books?
The hardest
part of writing my Nana Claus series books is narrowing down all the
possibilities for appreciation and gratitude. There are so many things and
people to be thankful for!
What are your most played songs?
Nana Claus
loves Christmas carols, especially religious songs. She always sings when she
hears the Hallelujah Chorus.
Do you have critique partners or beta
readers?
Yes, I have
beta readers and some good critique partners. I am encouraged by my beta
readers comments and have taken several suggestions from my team.
What book are you reading now?
Some great
children’s books I recently read are: Jasper the Brave by Lisa Mueller, Camping
with Dad by Dawn Renee Young, Winston’s First Rodeo by Linda Apple, and Carrie
Ingalls: The Forgotten Sister by Clarissa Willis
How did you start your writing career?
Being a
teacher and a Global Master Trainer for LEGO Education helped me see children
around the world. I was blessed to write curriculum, columns in educational
journals, scripts for videos, and more during my working career.
After I left full
time work, I was able to write for my own pleasure and put to paper things that
have rolled around in my head for years. My first book published when I was 64.
I don’t write every day, but when I write, it comes out in a torrent.
Tell us about your next release.
Nana Claus
and the Thank-You Notes is a children’s book about Nana Claus teaching four
children how and why to write notes of appreciation. Nana also writes thank-you
notes. This is the second book in the Nana Claus series, and again focuses on
kindness and appreciating the people in your life.
The next book
is Nana Claus’ Christmas Recipe book which is to be released in July. Nana
teaches measurement of wet and dry ingredients, has some cute Christmas
recipes, answers questions from children, and ends with gifts children can make
in the kitchen in a quart jar.
The first
book was Nana Claus and the Secret Santas is about starting a kindness wave in
the community. By being a Secret Santa, each person who receives a note of
appreciation and a common household object representing a trait gives another
person joy by passing along the kindness. Items include a toothpick for picking
out the good in others or a stick of gum for perseverance.
Celebrating
Family Series contains books on healthy relationships between adults and
children in families: grandparents and grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces,
and nephews and to be released, cousins.
Another series is the
application of math to student’s lives: Bright Ideas Math. The first book was
released in June Kelly Reddin is an award-winning writer and author of the Celebrating
Family Series, which highlights healthy relationships between children and the
Nana Claus Series, focusing on kindness and friendship. Her short stories and
essays have won numerous awards from writing organizations including the
Joplin Writers Guild and the Ozark Writers League.
Kelly is a former elementary, middle grade and college educator. Her work at
LEGO Education spanned two decades in a variety of positions from Curriculum
Specialist to Global Master Trainer. Kelly loves to travel, meet new people,
and learn about the world around her. She is active in her community, serving
on several non-profit boards.
Join her email list to get updates on her latest releases and her monthly
newsletter.
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