This week, we've got an interview with Cindy McKinley, author of one of our best-selling books, One Smile. This sweet little tale shows kids just how easily one person can make a difference.
- When did you decide that you wanted to be an author?
I have been a teacher for almost 20 years. After reading about a million books to my own 2 kids and to all of my students over the years, I always knew I wanted to write a book myself. So, I guess you could say, I have wanted to write a book for a very long time! - Have you written any other children's books? Anything in the works right now?
I did write a sequel to One Smile. We'll see what happens to that... I have also written several articles for some children's magazines. They are about animals. With the articles, I also included some photos I took of the animals I wrote about. Photography is another hobby of mine. - The story of One Smile follows a chain of pay-it-forward events. Was there a similar chain of events in your own life that led you to write this book?
Actually, yes. My family was out for an evening in Detroit. We were on the People Mover for the first time and it was crowded. To be kind, my son and I gave up our seats to make room for a lady who got on carrying a baby and a bunch of stuff. Later on that night, we rode it back and couldn't all sit together. A nice man realized we were straining trying to talk to each other and gave us his seat so we could all sit together! It just got me thinking: what if that kindness kept going? What would happen? What could happen?
- What is your favorite children's book (other than your own, of course) and why? Who has influenced your writing the most (in terms of style, subject matter, etc.)?
That is a very hard question to answer because there are so many great children's books. However, I do love Chris Van Allsberg's books because of their surprise endings. I love a good ending! I think they inspired me to write a book with a little surprise at the end, too. And I love Dr. Seuss's "Oh the Places You'll Go!" It is so inspiring and I wanted to write a book that would change the way kids thought, too. - Anything else you'd like to share?
I just hope that everyone who reads One Smile will be inspired to do something kind for someone else. If you look for ways to be kind, opportunities are everywhere! And everyone one of them helps to change the world, even just a little bit at a time...
