What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Characters in my books may be family members or friends through occupation. "Joyce the Farmer's Wife" is my mother. Each story tells a story of a need, or a crisis, and then overcoming it. A "how-to" book. Each reader is enjoyable not only for children but also for adults and is educational in that the reader shows how to overcome a problem; an issue. Age 12 I thought was a good age for the reader, but 8 - 12 depending on the student would be acceptable. Depending on the child and the parent, a parent might choose a book for a much younger child, to be read to, as they are enjoyable for any age. They train in that there are other walks of live to enter besides the typical: policeman or mailman which you can pick up anywhere to read, but to learn about skills trades or other occupations is valuable for later in life. Children need to know not only what is "out there" but to be given a glimpse of what that occupation might entail, which is what the content of these books have: a sample of what that particular person would do in a day's work. I loved my little books as I was writing them, they were such a treat. I knew the people and was tickled that I could give a professional example of what they did, by interview if necessary, to accomplish the writing. I was a computer technician when I lost my job due to my back. It was at that time our home was under construction, hence RC the Roofer. One day, I just sat down and started writing Cory the Painter and I achieved such enjoyment from doing that little book. I saved it, and progressed on to the others. I chose to devote full-time to my writing and creative skills. I am glad that opportunity finally came about. Jill the Day Care Worker is about my youngest daughter, Jill. She has been around during this time and I will be thrilled to have her see her name in print. I had always wanted to be a writer since college at the University of Iowa when my professor told me someday I should be published. I was raised on a farm. I began writing as a child, my favorite pastime. You couldn't get a book out of my nose when I was 10 or 12. This is the age I designed my books to follow, because when my teacher asked me in 6th grade "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I didn't know. I didn't want to be a doctor or mailman. I didn't know what was "out there". I have five children and they are all interested in my projects. I am happy I chose the correct occupations and have been blessed with others by surprise - by overcoming obstacles. Sincerely, Bonnie Bradley