Meet Pamela Bitterman, Author of When This is Over I Will Go to School and I Will Learn to Read
What inspired you to become a children's author?
The story that unfolded before me while I was volunteering at a Mobile Medical Clinic and Orphan Feeding Program in Kenya was simply too compelling to keep to myself.
How did you come up with the idea for When This Is Over I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read?
As previously stated, the idea presented itself. Julius, the narrator and protagonist in my book, is a real little boy. His story is true, poignant, inspiring, illuminating, and told in his own words.
How long was the process of getting When This Is Over I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read?
It was a couple of years following my return from Kenya before the book was completed. Another year or so passed while attempting to get it published.
Your book won first place in the Sharp Writ Book Awards. What does that mean to you as an author?
It means a great deal! I should mention that this book has won two First Place Awards, being honored with the CBC, Character Building Counts gold seal award also. And although the awards and recognition for myself as an author are extremely heartening, they are not the chief motivating drive behind my hoping that this book receives acclaim. All the proceeds from the sale of this book are promised back to the children in Kenya who created the illustrations for it. They are in crisis. They trust me, and they wait.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I hope this book will open eyes, minds, and hearts. It will introduce children, parents and teachers to a very separate reality. Children will be especially receptive because they are naturally empathetic, and they will find familiarity and a real connection, particularly to the protagonist, and the children’s illustrations. In general, I hope that the story inspires a new appreciation for the importance of education, - something we tend to take for granted in this country - and specifically for reading, which is literally one of a Kenyan child’s only hopes by which they might broaden their otherwise severely crimped horizons. There are also beautiful photographs of Kenya in the book: the villages, homes, animals and children that will educate and inspire as well. And of course, lastly but by no means least, children and their families or classrooms will have the opportunity to make a benevolent donation that will truly help kids in dire need. I can make this promise, and I will see to it personally. And all this, just with one simple click of the mouse! I should mention that the book is also available in an audio version.
Children's authors don't always get to choose who illustrates their books. Are you happy with how your illustrations turned out? Are the characters as you imagined them?
My book is different. I did choose the illustrators, the youngsters in a tiny Kenyan village school created my illustrations. I provided the basic materials – pens, crayons, markers, paper, – because they did not have anything like them available in their village. I then asked the teacher to translate from Swahili my request that the children draw for me what represents to them “mother’, “love”, “what they hope for”, “what they fear”, etc. The result is a window into a world that is unlike any most of us have ever imagined. Children understand this at an almost primal level, sans judgment or guilt or denial. And the characters? They are the children themselves, and they are more wonderful than I could have imagined them. Our children will see little kids just like them, and they will want to understand, and to help. There is also the added bonus of fun Swahili words translated throughout the book, and a glossary at the end of the book that kids really seem to love learning!
Are you currently working on anymore books?
Although presently marketing this book and my two others, which is time consuming and uses a different part of my brain, I do have two works-in-progress. One is a memoir/nonfiction, and one another children’s book.
Find out more about Pamela Bitterman and her books by visiting www.pamelasismanbitterman.com.
Follow the to view photos from the 2011 Smart Writ Awards www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrGrGVWKCg
When This Is Over I Will go to School and I Will Learn to Read is available at www.ebookit.com.
The story that unfolded before me while I was volunteering at a Mobile Medical Clinic and Orphan Feeding Program in Kenya was simply too compelling to keep to myself.
How did you come up with the idea for When This Is Over I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read?
As previously stated, the idea presented itself. Julius, the narrator and protagonist in my book, is a real little boy. His story is true, poignant, inspiring, illuminating, and told in his own words.
How long was the process of getting When This Is Over I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read?
It was a couple of years following my return from Kenya before the book was completed. Another year or so passed while attempting to get it published.
Your book won first place in the Sharp Writ Book Awards. What does that mean to you as an author?
It means a great deal! I should mention that this book has won two First Place Awards, being honored with the CBC, Character Building Counts gold seal award also. And although the awards and recognition for myself as an author are extremely heartening, they are not the chief motivating drive behind my hoping that this book receives acclaim. All the proceeds from the sale of this book are promised back to the children in Kenya who created the illustrations for it. They are in crisis. They trust me, and they wait.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I hope this book will open eyes, minds, and hearts. It will introduce children, parents and teachers to a very separate reality. Children will be especially receptive because they are naturally empathetic, and they will find familiarity and a real connection, particularly to the protagonist, and the children’s illustrations. In general, I hope that the story inspires a new appreciation for the importance of education, - something we tend to take for granted in this country - and specifically for reading, which is literally one of a Kenyan child’s only hopes by which they might broaden their otherwise severely crimped horizons. There are also beautiful photographs of Kenya in the book: the villages, homes, animals and children that will educate and inspire as well. And of course, lastly but by no means least, children and their families or classrooms will have the opportunity to make a benevolent donation that will truly help kids in dire need. I can make this promise, and I will see to it personally. And all this, just with one simple click of the mouse! I should mention that the book is also available in an audio version.
Children's authors don't always get to choose who illustrates their books. Are you happy with how your illustrations turned out? Are the characters as you imagined them?
My book is different. I did choose the illustrators, the youngsters in a tiny Kenyan village school created my illustrations. I provided the basic materials – pens, crayons, markers, paper, – because they did not have anything like them available in their village. I then asked the teacher to translate from Swahili my request that the children draw for me what represents to them “mother’, “love”, “what they hope for”, “what they fear”, etc. The result is a window into a world that is unlike any most of us have ever imagined. Children understand this at an almost primal level, sans judgment or guilt or denial. And the characters? They are the children themselves, and they are more wonderful than I could have imagined them. Our children will see little kids just like them, and they will want to understand, and to help. There is also the added bonus of fun Swahili words translated throughout the book, and a glossary at the end of the book that kids really seem to love learning!
Are you currently working on anymore books?
Although presently marketing this book and my two others, which is time consuming and uses a different part of my brain, I do have two works-in-progress. One is a memoir/nonfiction, and one another children’s book.
Find out more about Pamela Bitterman and her books by visiting www.pamelasismanbitterman.com.
Follow the to view photos from the 2011 Smart Writ Awards www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrGrGVWKCg
When This Is Over I Will go to School and I Will Learn to Read is available at www.ebookit.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012