Monday, June 11, 2012

Interview with Children’s Author Clarike Bowman-Jahn


Clarike Bowman-Jahn likes to write children’s books and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She likes to write creative nonfiction and memoir in her spare time and has been published in “A New Beginning Newsletter.” She has a dog and two cats and is living the life of her dreams. Clar is happiest when she is writing. She can be found at http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com on her blog.

Hello, Clar. Please tell us about your new children’s book.

Hi Linda! Thanks so much for having me.  I am so happy to be here. The book is about time and clocks and is a basic concept book for early readers. It helps teach time for ages four to seven. It has analog and digital clocks in it and is about a little girl Annie, who has a different adventure every hour.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

Once when I was sick I was listening to the sounds from outside my window. It was May and early spring. First I heard the crows and later I heard the more musical birds like the cardinals and mocking birds. It was very early in the morning, about four a.m. so the world was just waking up. I wanted to record it. I wished I had a recording. I have always loved hearing the birds sing. So since I didn’t have a recording machine I started writing it down, what a little girl heard each hour.

This book is about what a little girl experiences each hour. It is her birthday and she celebrates it by having a birthday slumber party that keeps her awake. I don’t want to tell the whole story though. I don’t want to give it all away.

What does your family think about your writing?

My sons are grown and flew the coop and now it’s only my husband and I. He couldn’t be more supportive and has taken the role of being my agent. My sons read my blog and like it. They think it’s great that I write now after supporting them with my nursing career. Writing is my second career.

How wonderful! I think that’s awesome that your sons read your blog. That’s real support. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

In Holland where I was born, ‘ike’ is often added onto names to make it “the small version”. So Clarike is Dutch for “little Clara”.  I kept this name as my author name though my friends call me Clar and my middle name is Katrina. So my whole real name is Clara Katrina Bowman-Jahn. My two last names came from keeping my late husband’s name and adding my present husband’s name to it.

Very interesting! I was wondering what language your first name was because I hadn’t heard it before. I like it. Thank you, Clar, for being on my blog. This was fun getting to know you and your new children’s book.

Clar's facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ClaraBowmanJahn
Clar's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/@Cbojahn
Clar's blog: http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com
To buy Annie's Special Day: http://www.etreasurespublishing.com

12 comments:

apple blossom said...

This sounds like a fun book.
Thanks for the chance to win

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Lisa And Randy said...

This sounds like a terrific and fun book to add to my library of children's books. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Lisa And Randy said...

Forgot to leave my email: leeben[at]bdawg[dot]net

Christine said...

Hi Linda and Welcome Clar. It was so nice to read your interview. I have a best friend with a little boy who is going to be starting kindergarten this year. He has a clock book that he shared with me, but he isn't really learning how to tell time from it. So I'd love to win your book for him. I know he'd just love the hour by hour story. Thanks for sharing with us and best wishes with the sale of your new book!

Thank you, Christine :)
chirth7@yahoo.com

Joan said...

This sounds like a great book for teaching children about telling time. Thanks for the chance to win. momarchi@q.com

bn100 said...

This sounds like a fun book. That's great that your family's so supportive.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

M W Howard said...

My little boy is just starting to learn about time. I'd love to win your book. mwhoward.ga@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What a fun way to teach time to children.
It was nice getting to know you.

mlwalling85@gmail.com

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Great interview, Clar! I hope you had fun doing it :) Can't wait to read Annie's Special Day, and it was fun hearing about the inspiration for it!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I discovered this review and interview with Clar! It was fun finding out a little more about you, Clar. :)
Thanks so much, Linda, for a wonderful interview and a heads-up about Clar's wonderful new picture book. What a novel way to help little ones learn to tell time! Don't know if I am too late to enter to win...but I'm just happy I got here.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Linda for a wonderful post. I have been blessed by being your guest here.

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, MW Howard! You are the winner of this wonderful Children's Book. I know you'll enjoy it. Thanks, Clar, for being on my blog. It was fun learning about you and your book.