Ekster, Carol Gordon

Ekster, Carol Gordon

Carol Gordon Ekster grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Boston University and getting a Master’s degree in reading and language she was a passionate elementary school teacher for 35 years. At the end of her career she began writing unexpectedly. Carol is a member of SCBWI, 12×12, The Writing Barn’s Courage to Create, and part of the group blog, Writers’ Rumpus. When Carol is not immersed in her writing life she might be doing yoga, walking or biking. You can find out more about her books and writing life here: https://carolgordonekster.com.

Awards

Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce, Boulden Publishing, 2008, was a finalist for About.com’s Readers’Choice Awards for Best Children’s Book for Single Parent Families, 2012. Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room, Character Publishing, 2011, received the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval in July 2013. Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You, 2015, Pauline Books and Media, was a finalist for the ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards 2016 and a third place winner in the Catholic Press Association awards in the children’s book category, 2016. And You Know What?, Clavis Books, 2017, was a CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards Nominee for Talk (2018) and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist 2018 in the New England region. Some Daddies was a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards 2022 in the Northeast Region.

3 Fun Facts

1. I was a 4th grade teacher for 35 years.
2. My daughter and grandson live in Italy.
3. My favorite books from childhood was the Nancy Drew series.

Erwin, Kimberly Y.

Erwin, Kimberly Y.

Kimberly Y. Erwin (Author), received her MS in Education: Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked extensively in academia for well over three decades.  She is an author, an entrepreneur, an international journalist and writer, a Reading Instructor & was a high school Language Arts Dept. Chair in Florida, an English college professor, and among various and numerous other titles enjoyed Director of Multicultural Student Affairs (Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY) most as that is what propelled her into researching and writing on the topic of race & ethnicity. Currently, Ms. Erwin is on the board and program chairperson of the library in the city of Hudson, NY where she resides and runs a media company that seeks to publish and promote positive works, i.e. diversity appreciation and self-awareness and love—in photography, film/video, and of course, books! www.kimberlyerwin.me

Look for her also at: https://twitter.com/kyerwinauthor

Ms. Erwin also would like to recognize the book’s, Photographer

Zoey Catlin,  High School student & budding photographer, taking photos of family, friends, and just about any and every engagement she is invited to, including weddings—and loves her little sister (and one of this book’s models, Bailiegh)!

3 Fun Facts

1. I met my Italian American beau when I was 6 years old—and wrote this children’s book DUE to an engagement I had had with him. At 8, he understood better than the adults around us that the little African American girl on the steps outside of “her” neighborhood didn’t have to “Go back home!” The “older” boy sat and chatted with her making her feel like she was just where she belonged (period)
2. I gave myself a “stage” name because of course, I was going to be a famous 1) ballerina, 2) actor, and 3) Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader! In perhaps that order!
3. I’m a HUDSONIAN! (Whoo-Whoo!) I lived in over 16 cities, states, and countries altogether on both coasts & the mid-west and on 2 continents & an island in the Caribbean. Yet, I came back 2 give back! And yes, it’s MORE than worth it–seeing the eyes of young students in elementary and junior high school as well as hearing from teens who are about to graduate from high school how much I (just being Ms. Erwin) MATTER to them. It’s not usual for them to have someone to whom they can relate—just upon 1st glance! PRICELESS.

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