The road is bumpy and has a lot of turns — when I first decided I could be a writer it seemed pretty simple — you write books, you publish books, and you are a writer! And although that is part of the process there is so much more behind the scenes. So many things to learn, so many frustrations, so many different directions…I expect it is like that with most journeys — but I didn’t have a writer to talk to at the time to confirm that this journey is a wild one — but also a rewarding one.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sandra Wilson.
Sandra Wilson is a children’s author, educator, and founder of the Kindness Kangaroo Project. She has worked with children for over 35 years and after studying writing at university decided to combine these two loves together. She writes stories with kids and for kids showing them the magic of creativity to inspire and to empower.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Since I was a child I have loved stories. I was an avid reader and learned that writing could help me deal with my feelings. I had poems for when I was scared, lonely, anxious and happy; of course with the angst of being a teenager, you can imagine how many poems I wrote. In high school, I got involved in drama classes which offered me another avenue for storytelling. I excelled in English classes but not Math (but I wrote some of my best poems in that class!) I volunteered in the school library in high school, and my first ‘real’ job was at a local bookstore — I have always loved being surrounded by books.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
It was actually a storyteller that came to our school that first inspired me. I don’t remember who he was but I do remember he was telling stories from Robert Service (I became obsessed with him at that point and could recite the beginning of Cremation of Sam McGee to anyone who would listen). He was so enthusiastic and expressive when he told the stories, and I was mesmerized by him. I also noticed my schoolmates were also very attentive to his storytelling. I wanted to be able to tell stories like that, that captured the interest of others because I know when you capture interest, you can make a difference.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I had finished the Emotional Animal Alphabet series (26 books) I thought I should try and get them featured in bookstores. And so I set off to a local store with a display rack filled with books. And as I carried them into the store the books started to tip and fall out of the rack onto the floor. But since my hands were full balancing all the books in the rack I couldn’t pick them up. But at least the bookstore owner had a chance to hold one of my books in his hands! I have learned that it is better to focus on just a little bit at a time. Gear the marketing, the promotions etc. on just one book, a smaller collection, or a specific topic. Overwhelming someone with a rack full of books is not the best approach! And to be honest, it was overwhelming to me too!
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
Stories offer a great way for children to connect to what is happening in the world, to their feelings and those of others and to encourage them to do their best. By writing stories for kids, as well as working with kids to write stories, I can empower them with compassion, empathy and understanding of themselves and the world. This I believe, is an important tool for making the world a better place.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
I have created many books with the help of children through the Kindness Kangaroo Project. One of my favourites is Timid Turtle. For this book, I visited a Grade 1 classroom to talk to the kids about being shy. When I learned that one of the students was trying to figure out how to tell his classmates about his Tourette’s diagnosis, I added that into the discussion. Timid Turtle is hiding in his shell because he has tics and is embarrassed so doesn’t want to come out to play — how can we help him? After discussion with the students, I had ideas about how to help Timid and, using their ideas, I wrote the story then they helped complete the book by adding their drawings. When the book was launched the student bravely told his class about having tics. They were all so excited that their classmate was just like the book’s main character. Instead of recognizing his difference as a problem, they celebrated it. And I learned that representation in books is so very important, so all children have a chance to be celebrated.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
Kindness Kangaroo was the first book in the Emotional Animal Alphabet series, and it was meant to be a stand-alone book. I got the idea for the story when I witnessed how my one act of kindness made a difference to several people. I thought that was a great lesson to share with kids — in a book. But I was concerned that my ideas of kind acts wouldn’t connect with kids, so I visited a Kindergarten classroom to ask the four and five-year-olds what kindness meant to them. This experience, of chatting with the kids really showed me how caring and compassionate they were, how much kindness they understood and how they could interpret a problem and come up with a wonderful solution (like giving someone a paper heart to make them smile). Not only did it inspire me to work more with kids on stories, but it also inspired the rest of the series of Emotional Animal Alphabet books!
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
A young girl, about age 8, was reading through the set of Emotional Animal Alphabet books that her grandmother had. After each book, she was heard talking about how she could relate to the character, how she had a similar situation and how that made her feel. To know that these books are helping children get the conversation started about their feelings is so very rewarding.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
1. get these important conversations started with children — conversation is one of the best ways to help children learn about life, and about themselves. Sometimes it is hard to start a conversation on a topic that is tough (like death). Reading a story first is a good way to open that door to that conversation.
2. listen to what they have to say — everyone needs to feel heard and when we listen it tells them that what they say matters. Having a voice is important for our whole lives so it is good to start empowering children with their voices early on so they know how to use it, when they need it most.
3. give good, real-life examples to kids — stories can offer them some examples but real-life role models are really what is needed. People in leadership roles (which include parents and teachers) should try to behave in a way that shows compassion for others, that encourages and inspires rather than degrades or minimizes. If a person finds themselves not displaying appropriate behaviour then they should offer an apology and show kids that we can keep trying to be our best.
One of my favourite lines to ask when people want to share information is — “Is it insightful or is it inciteful?”
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is about providing support, encouragement and understanding to others so that together you can succeed. This can be applied to any aspect of life; work, social groups, school, etc. It is not about one person knowing everything and directing everyone to follow that path. It is about one person encouraging others to share their strengths, to reach their potential and to help each other reach the goal. It is about being strong enough to make sure things get done but also strong enough to recognize when a different way (other than their own) might be a better way. It is about making the decisions that serve everyone best, not raise them up alone.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- It is not about the income; it is about the outcome. As with any business, focus tends to fall on financial growth and success often gets weighed by profit. A self-published author wears a lot of hats and must do much of the promotion and selling of their book. It doesn’t always generate much profit. But when writing children’s books, the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child should be counted as success.
- It’s not about you, it’s about the connections you make. It has been a struggle to get my books into the world. Sometimes you drive an hour for a 15-minute story reading, but I have learned to appreciate every experience given to me to share my stories. You can’t make a difference with your stories if no one is actually hearing them. And the more connections you make, the more people will be sharing.
- Just because it isn’t perfect doesn’t mean it can’t be appreciated. It is often difficult to continue to create stories when reviews are low, or non-existent and you really wonder if what you do is any good. But creativity is an art, and is appreciated differently, it’s not always for everyone, but the one that needs to hear it has that opportunity when you put it out there.
- You will have your heart broken. When I first started getting kids to help me write the books, I didn’t realize that some of the things that they shared would break my heart. Stories of hunger, bullies and more were shared by kids and although it didn’t always pertain to the story, I was there to listen. There wasn’t much I could do for them in that moment (other than listen) but I recorded their stories because then I would have the ideas to incorporate into a later story — and maybe that could help just a little.
- The road is bumpy and has a lot of turns — when I first decided I could be a writer it seemed pretty simple — you write books, you publish books, and you are a writer! And although that is part of the process there is so much more behind the scenes. So many things to learn, so many frustrations, so many different directions…I expect it is like that with most journeys — but I didn’t have a writer to talk to at the time to confirm that this journey is a wild one — but also a rewarding one.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“By doing what you love you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” — Satsuki Shibuya
Inspire and awaken the hearts of others — how powerful is that? I have spent many years doing what I do, encouraging children, supporting education and inspiring stories, it truly is what I love to do. This quote though showed me what the outcome of what I do can be. And, through the work I have done with the Kindness Kangaroo Project and beyond, I have actually seen it happen. It makes me very proud to know I can make a difference like this for people.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
My biggest role models are no longer with us (Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dressup) so sadly I can’t connect with them. But Levar Burton is passionate about literacy and storytelling so I think he and I could have a great conversation.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I have a website with so much information about my books and more — www.quiteacharacter.ca there are also links to my social media accounts and my YouTube Channel where I read many stories (not just my own) and offer ideas for story inspiration too.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Sandra Wilson Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.