The Children's and Teens' Book Connection
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tiny Angel by Nancy Carty Lepri
Today’s special guest is Nancy Carty Lepri, author of the tween chapbook, Tiny Angel. This book tackles the difficult issues young people face when moving to a new town and into a new school district. It also addresses the topic of bullying. The Phoebe Prince case, which captured national attention, took place in a town that is barely 30 minutes away from here. For those of you who might not have heard of the case, Phoebe Prince was a young girl who committed suicide after continued bullying at her school and online and by texting. A year prior to this, a young boy from a nearby community took his own life because he couldn’t handle the bullying any longer. He was only 11.
Here, the author shares the basis for Tiny Angel.
You know you want to write a children’s book, but wonder what to write. That was the prevailing question on my mind. Where to get ideas? Where to start? My first college writing course, “Creative Writing 101” answered these two questions. The professor stated, “Write what you know!” Sounds simple, right?
I always had the “itch” to be creative, whether through illustrating—I think I came out of the womb with a crayon in one hand—or writing, as the other hand must have held a book. This was my life’s goal. One day as I considered what to write, my insight became clear after witnessing some children picking on one of their peers. Thus, I wrote Tiny Angel.
As a child, I was sensitive and shy, which I am happy to say, I’ve outgrown! I kept to myself engrossed in schoolwork and books. Also having terrible eyesight, I started wearing glasses in the third grade. Due to this, some boys in my class started tormenting me. I was called “four-eyes” or “teacher’s pet”. Never did a day go by without receiving hurtful taunts. I often would not respond, but after one classmate crushed my beloved plastic Barbie lunchbox, that did it! I reported it to my teacher. Sadly, that made matters worse. From then on, I wanted to crawl into a hole and become invisible.
Remembering those unhappy days was the impetus to write Tiny Angel. Not only to purge the sadness I felt, but I also wanted to help other children going through similar circumstances. My desire was to let them know they are not alone, that someone else has endured this, and that things can get better. Children being bullied feel isolated and tend to magnify their hurts. After all, th
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