Mary Emma Allen Introduction

Who am I to write a blog on books for tots through teens? Why would I want to do this?

Reading children’s books and writing stories for young people have interested me since childhood. I still have a story I wrote when I was 11 years old and another from an 8th grade English assignment. (I won’t mention how many years ago this occurred, except to say I now have a teenaged granddaughter who enjoys reading and writing, too.)

I’ve had stories published in more than 200 children’s magazines and anthologies, including Tales of Adventure & Discovery. (This latter contains only my stories.) I also illustrated this book and a coloring book that accompanies it. The picture book, Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed, is under production. This story is one youngsters particularly like when I give presentations in schools and libraries.

Children’s Literature was my favorite class at SUNY, New Paltz, NY (USA), where I received my teaching degree. When I showed the instructor some of the children’s stories, she encouraged me to continue with my writing. So my interest in reading and writing children’s stories continued. Currently, in addition to writing for children and adults and conducting workshops, I do substitute teaching in grades K-12. So I'm involved with readers of all ages.

I live in a multi-generational home in New Hampshire, with husband, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and assorted pets. I also come from a family of readers and writers, since my grandfather was a published writer and my mom and grandmother kept journals. My daughter and granddaughter also has had some of their writing published.