After 42 years of working in education, Sedona resident Connie Tate started a new career as a children’s book author. She fell in love with reading at a young age. “I can still remember that feeling of independence when I knew I could read on my own and pursuing that,” she says. “My dream positions have always been where I’ve had the opportunity to work with young children and see them succeed in that because reading is the superpower. We talk about lots of superpowers, but when you’re able to read, well, the whole world opens up.” Connie was speaking over the phone with a friend who reminded her that when she retired she wanted to write children’s books. So she got to work.
She’s written four books, and one called “The Lore of Wolf Oyte” is slated to arrive this year. She tells us that it takes about one year to finish one book, which includes the writing and finalizing all of the illustrations. “At the very essence of all of my books, it’s about kindness and perseverance,” she says. Those themes “have always been important to me.” “I will say that children need a certain degree of struggle,” she says. “So when they come to something hard that they learn, ‘Oh, OK, this is how it is. Everything’s going to work out.’ So that we don’t have children who think that everything is going to be easy. It’s not. It’s just not. And while we’re learning that particular lesson that I think helps you move forward to have a life of contentment is that we can do that and be kind.” She has done readings in town at Sedona Public Library and Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Cottonwood. Her books feature songs, and she encourages her young listeners to sing along.
One of her most rewarding moments so far? After one classroom reading, she had a parent contact her to tell her that her son wanted to visit Connie and write a book with her instead of going to a theme park on summer vacation. She’s found plenty of joy as an author. “I just have always found books, personally, from a standpoint of getting to know characters, help kids develop empathy,” she says. She loves “that whole message of just instilling a deep love of reading.” Connie Tate is available for readings of her work. You can find her books at the Sedona Public Library. Visit rollonreading.com to learn more about her. – By Teresa K. Traverse
