Carol June Franks is a new author of children’s books, having published her third book in November 2024. Her books reflect nostalgic scenes, colorful illustrations, and engaging rhythm that both children and adults enjoy. Additionally, each book provides tips for engaging children in the text in a way to strengthen their reading and writing abilities. https://www.amazon.com/Sled-Ride-Unrue-Street-Activity-ebook/dp/B0DL3KRXGK/

Genre: Children’s Books

Carol writes children’s books. Her goal is to write books that not only children love but also that adults love reading to them. As a retired teacher, she knows how important it is for children to be engaged with reading, whether being read to or reading on their own. The final pages of her books provide guidance for parents and teachers to use the book to enhance reading skills and as a springboard for writing. She especially wants to help parents see how they can use hers and other picture books to strengthen children’s reading and writing abilities. Carol’s goal is straightforward—ideas that can easily be applied as the story is read.

A Dream Realized

“Holding my first book felt like such an accomplishment. For years, I thought about publishing a book, but I just couldn’t devote the time needed. So, once I retired, I decided it was time. It was a challenge to learn everything I needed to know, and I’m still learning. But I was, and still am, very proud of my first book. However, what was even better than holding that first book was the positive reviews and in-person feedback received. I love creating something that adults enjoy and want to share with their children.”

Idea Starts

Carol’s ideas often start with childhood memories. She likes to create a nostalgic experience for her readers—ones that take adults down memory lane as they read to children.

“I want story details that create an experience for children, and I work to produce that experience through imagery and word choice. Although I start with my memory, I keep in mind that I’m writing for an audience who wants to enjoy the story and make their own connections. So, the final text often stretches beyond my own personal memories.”

Writing Process

“My writing process involves a lot of thinking and meditating on my topic. I like to think while I walk or hike with my dogs on our farm. This is my idea time. I also like to think while I’m driving. Occasionally, an idea comes to mind, and I’m sure to jot it down wherever I happen to be and on whatever I happen to have handy—a journal if I’m lucky, but otherwise, a scrap sheet of paper, a sticky note, or even a napkin. Sometimes, that idea is simply a topic, but other times, it’s a line, a sentence, a whole scene, or even the structure for an upcoming book. 

“When I get to put those ideas together, if it is warm weather, I’m on my porch or some cozy spot outside with my two dogs close by, distracting me from time to time. I’m lucky that I have lots of outside space. If it’s too cold to be outside, I work in my office, at my desk, which sits in front of a window that overlooks our pond, woods, and a birdfeeder. Whether inside or outside, mornings are when I feel most creative and when I like to think and write. 

“I start with getting ideas down on paper. It’s messy. I write in margins to add details or play with word choice. As a children’s book author, I don’t outline but I do focus on getting a sequence that makes sense. However, at first, I don’t worry about the order. I bounce to different parts of the story as details bounce in my mind. My goal is to get as many of my thoughts down on paper before I forget them. Later, I’ll throw out what doesn’t fit or work and organize what does. 

“After I have exhausted my idea stream, I start drafting on my laptop. That’s when I begin organizing and listening to what I’ve written. I read my words out loud over and over until I get the words and flow I am happy with. As I read out loud, I also work on the rhythm. I decide what I want in the text to create that rhythm – rhyme, meter, repetition, or some combination of the three. I imagine a parent reading to a child and the child repeating words and reading them as well. This helps me focus on my audience as I create.” 

Challenges

“The easiest part of writing for me is getting my ideas down on paper and then moving to some organization digitally. The most challenging is in the revision process as I read and reread and revise to get the best rhythm, flow, and word choice I want. Writing is not easy. It is a process that takes effort and time. I work a while on my text, set it aside, and come back to it with fresh eyes and mind. I remind myself often that when I’m sharing with a group of students and my book is well received or an adult tells me how much she or her child enjoys my story, it is all worth the struggle and time.”

When I Get Stuck

“When I get writer’s block, I like to take a walk or go outside. I just do something different and think about something else for a while. Maybe after a break, I start thinking again about where I was stuck. I like to think (sometimes out loud) while I walk or work in my yard or in my garden. Since my walks on my farm are quite secluded, I don’t have to worry about what anyone thinks about me talking to myself. LOL. Walking and working outside always helps me clear my mind.” 

Reader Take Aways

“I want the text in my books to take my adult readers down memory lane to a simpler time. I want to spark wonderful discussions between them and the children they love while sharing a glimpse into their childhood. I want children to experience a nostalgic scene through imagery and descriptive language. I want parents to use the ideas provided for engaging children in reading and writing to help them grow their reading and writing skills.”

Why Write

“I write for two reasons. One is because I truly love the feeling of creating something that others enjoy reading and sharing with children—something that takes adults down memory lane and sparks discussion with children or others about those special moments in their lives. I love hearing that a child loves my book and wants to hear it over and over.

“My second reason is because I’m a retired teacher. During my last six years, I worked with students in middle school who struggled as readers and writers. I want to create something that helps parents of young children know some techniques to help their children become good readers and writers.”

Advice for First-Time Writers

“If you are just getting started on your writing journey, my advice is to keep learning as much as you can about all aspects of being an author. Grow your craft by writing often and reading a lot in your genre. Keep a learner attitude, and don’t think you have to learn it all at once. Know that learning about marketing and production is a process, just like writing is a process. Enjoy the process of writing and learning, and know that your author journey is whatever you make of it. Never compare your journey to that of other authors. Just be proud of whatever you accomplish.”

Favorites

“I love to read, but I can’t really say I have a favorite author. I read often to learn. Throughout my career, I was always reading to learn new instructional practices and about whatever topic I was teaching at the time. Now, I’m still reading to learn about publishing children’s books and about marketing. I love to read and study the Bible. I read books by fellow Bluegrass Writers to get to know their writing style and support them along their author journey. I read historical fiction or a mystery here or there. And, of course, I read a variety of children’s books since that is my genre, often searching out the more nostalgic stories, such as Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon.” 

Carol June Franks retired from teaching after twenty-five years. She taught Language Arts, Science, and Reading Intervention and served as a Literacy Coach and Literacy Consultant during her teaching career. After retirement, Carol began a new adventure as a children’s book author. Carol’s books include rhythm and illustrations that engage children and content that adults enjoy reading to the children in their lives. Her books are unique in that they include guidance for parents for using the books to help children become good readers and writers. 

Visit https://www.junebugtales.com to learn more about Carol and her books. Find her on Facebook at Junebug Tales Publishing. Or sign up to Carol’s email list for news, events, highlights on the next children’s book, and more.