Interview with Children’s Author Sherrill S. Cannon

Sherrill S. Cannon has published four children's books and six plays for elementary school. She graduated magna cum laude from The American University, was a teacher and coach for ten years, was a professional newspaper sports photographer and columnist, a Dinner Theatre Company Stage Manager, an Assistant Talent Manager, and a Business Administrator. She and her husband of 52 years are now retired, and travel in their RV from coast to coast each year to spend time with their children and grandchildren... sharing Sherrill’s books along the way!

All four of Sherrill’s children's books are in rhyme and all try to teach something such as good manners and caring for others. In less than three years, Sherrill has won a dozen National Awards for her books, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, Santa’s Birthday Gift and Gimme-Jimmy. Hello, Sherrill. Please tell us about Santa’s Birthday Gift.

My favorite book will always be Santa’s Birthday Gift – because it was the first to be published, and the one that I feel I was inspired to write. After I read the story of the Nativity to one of my grandchildren, she looked at me and said, “But where’s Santa?” I thought to myself, Yes indeed, where is Santa? That night the entire story came to me in a dream, and when I sat down to write it the story just flowed (in rhyme)… So to me it will always be a very special book. The book tells the story of the Nativity, and then skips to Santa seeing the Star at the North Pole and following the Star to Bethlehem, where he kneels before Jesus and gives Him his gift: his promise to bring gifts to children each year to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Christmas gifts are really Birthday gifts to Jesus.

What a wonderful message! What ages would enjoy this book?

Ages 2-7, for children who still believe in Santa. By the way, I also believe that Santa is the Spirit of Christmas…that desire to give to others. So the transition is much easier for children when you can point out that the Spirit of Christmas is real.

I, too, believe in Santa and the special joy he brings to children when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. You’re never too old to believe! Sherrill, all your books are set in rhyme. I love it. I feel this grabs my children’s and grandchildren’s attention quicker than in story form. What is your opinion on this?

I agree, because children love the music and the flow of the words. It’s also easier for them to remember lines when they rhyme – and you can frequently find small children “reading” along with the story! Of course I love it, because I love poetry - and have been writing poetry since I was a small child myself!

How do your grandchildren react to your books?

Reading Santa’s Birthday Gift is a Christmas tradition for my “grands” – along with their families. The older ones are my best “test read” for my new books, since they also give me nice feedback. The younger ones seem to love them all. When my granddaughter was 3, she had to sleep with The Magic Word; and then when Gimme-Jimmy was released, she decided she really liked it too because Elisabeth from The Magic Word was in it!! My 4-yr-old grandson really loves my newest book, Manner-Man, to be released in January 2013 – probably because he asked me to write one about a Superhero! After his mother read him the story (without illustrations) he immediately went out to the patio and drew me a picture of Manner-Man (with a little help from his Dad) so that I would know what he should look like! 

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Sherrill. Thanks for stopping by, everyone. I have a new book giveaway each week, so visit my blog and see what is next.