Author’s Interview for the Month of October 2023

Welcome to a brand-new month here at Netcreations! We’re excited to kick off October 2023 with a special treat for our readers: our esteemed Guest Author of the month, Carol Robinson Baker, and her delightful book, “Armored Armadillo to Zippy Zebra: An Alliterative Anthology of Animals.“

October is all about embracing the changing seasons, and what better way to do that than by diving into a book that takes you on a whimsical journey through the animal kingdom, all while celebrating the beauty of language through alliteration. Carol Robinson Baker, a talented author with a passion for words and wildlife, has crafted a book that combines the educational and the enchanting in a way that’s perfect for readers of all ages.

In this blog post, we’ll not only introduce you to Carol and her captivating book but also provide you with an exclusive interview where she shares her inspiration, writing process, and the magic behind the alliteration that makes her book so unique. So, whether you’re a literary enthusiast or an animal lover, get ready to be charmed by the wonderful world of “Armored Armadillo to Zippy Zebra.” Let’s embark on this literary adventure together!

About the Author

Carol Robinson Baker hails from the Lone Star State, proudly embodying the spirit of Texas as a native Texan and a proud third-generation alumna of Baylor University, where she earned her degree in English. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Carol embarked on a career path that led her to become an English teacher, driven by a profound love for the intricacies of English grammar.

In 1975, Carol’s journey took a fascinating turn as she delved into the realm of ESL (English as a Second Language) education at the Defense Language Institute: English Language Center, located on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. It was here that she was introduced to ESL methodology, igniting a passion that would fuel her illustrious 30+ year career in teaching. Her dedication and expertise have touched the lives of both children and adults, spanning diverse communities both stateside and abroad.

Alongside her professional endeavors, Carol found immense joy in raising three children, who became the light of her life. Following her retirement in 2012, she embarked on a new chapter, spending the subsequent five years delightfully immersed in the company of her seven beloved grandchildren, who brought immeasurable happiness to her life.

Late in life, Carol discovered her talent for writing, opening a new creative avenue for self-expression. Today, she divides her time between nurturing family bonds, tutoring, and passionately promoting her literary works. Carol calls Waco, Texas, home, where she shares her life with her steadfast companion of 52 years, Bill, and her two cherished canine companions.

The Interview

Interviewer: What motivated you to write the book?

Author Carol: A dream back in 2014 was both the inspiration and motivation for writing my book. I was staying with my daughter and son-in-law while caring for my granddaughter who had been born premature. The dream was very vivid. I was the author of a children’s book entitled Daddy, If You Could Be An Animal, What Would You Be?

The book was about animals A-Z, and all the animals were real. I even envisioned the cover of the book showing a little boy asking his dad the title’s question. I remember telling my daughter the dream and laughing when she said maybe I should consider writing it.

Interviewer: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Author Carol: I had never considered becoming a writer before my dream even though I am an avid reader. My older son once asked me, “Mom, why don’t you write a book? You are always reading.” My reply was, “Son, there is a big difference between reading books and writing them!” However, the dream was so detailed and fascinating that I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It took two years to try to convince myself that at age 67 I could become a writer. Then I pondered over and searched for an entertaining and educational design before I put pen to paper and embarked on the challenge.

Interviewer: Why must readers read your book?

Author Carol: My wish is that all readers will be entertained and captivated by the stunning illustrations, diverse array of animals, and mesmerizing alliterative descriptions. I hope every sojourner on this unique and whimsical safari through the alphabet will spend time on each brilliantly detailed illustration learning about familiar and unusual animals and playing “I Spy” to find objects that begin with the same letter. It is a book that even toddlers enjoy, first enjoying all the colorful pictures, recognizing old and new animals, and then discovering other objects in the illustrations, while slowly growing into the more complex educational aspects without realizing that learning is taking place. Parents, grandparents, and other relatives and friends can read and enjoy the book with their littles knowing their time is well spent. Educators can use my lesson suggestions at the end to teach different subjects and accommodate many proficiency levels.

Interviewer: When writing your book, how did you feel?

Author Carol: Beginning something new is always scary and usually riddled with problems. Frustration reigned at first as I tried to find the right vehicle for my animal A-Z. After three failed attempts, I hit on a winner. Alliteration became the best path for presenting my 26 animals. Doubt crept in as I sought the words to make an alliterative description that was feasible and realistic. Then when I completed my alliterative descriptions, I realized that the title I dreamed for the book no longer fit. I enlisted my husband’s help to find a suitable title for this alliterative format. Finally, pride in what I had achieved overtook my frustration and doubt. But now I faced a new problem. I needed an illustrator! Not just any illustrator, but one who could interpret my descriptions accurately. I went to the internet because I didn’t know any illustrators. I found many, but most were foreigners whose first language was not English. I knew that only a native English speaker would have a chance at correctly interpreting my alliterative descriptions. And then I found Izzy Bean! How lucky could I be? I found the perfect illustrator for my book! I felt like the luckiest person in the world! Our collaboration has been the most rewarding part of the whole process! We were and are meant to be a team!

Interviewer: What do you expect readers’ reactions after reading your book?

Author Carol: I hope readers are pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoy the book and learn from it. I hope they recognize its value and want to share it. I hope they can envision themselves sitting with a loved one, discussing animals and objects using it as a teaching moment while enjoying quality time. I hope educators use it as a tool in their classrooms. I hope babies, toddlers, and other young children get the opportunity to grow into the book while learning and enjoying all aspects. I hope that discovering my book will create an interest and desire for more of my collaborations with Izzy Bean!

Coming soon: ARMORED ARMADILLO To ZIPPY ZEBRA, a coloring book to accompany my book, and maybe… just maybe… a new book entitled, DADDY, IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

Thank you, Ma’am Carol!

A heartfelt thank you for gracing our blog as our Guest Author of the month. Your book, “Armored Armadillo to Zippy Zebra,” has brought a touch of whimsy and wonder to our readers, and your insights during the interview were truly inspiring. Your passion for both language and wildlife shines brightly through your work.

We’re immensely grateful for your contribution, and we look forward to seeing more of your literary endeavors in the future. Thanks for sharing your talents with our community!