... About Kathryn
Growing up... Our family had five kids — four girls and a boy. I was born first, in San Diego, California. But we moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin when I was small, and that’s where I grew up.
Every couple of years, my family traveled back to San Diego to visit grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins.
We traveled by train! It took over two days to get from Oshkosh to San Diego, so we slept and ate on the train. I have wonderful memories of those trips, and I still love to travel by train!
I was very young when I learned to read and I wanted to read ALL the time! Some of the books I especially loved were the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I read them over and over. I felt as if Laura and I were growing up together. On summer days, I walked to the library and checked out a huge stack of books. Then I sat under a tree and read for hours.
I have always enjoyed writing letters, and I had a pen pal in England for many years. I kept a diary and wrote poems for my elementary school newspaper. My dad always made up funny rhymes, and I like writing rhyming poems, too.
When I was in 2nd grade, I read a book that I liked so much, I tried to write a book myself.
In college I studied to be a teacher, and I took a class to learn about children’s books. I was supposed to read 100 books, but I read about 300! I started thinking then about how much fun it would be to write books for kids.
Favorites…
Color: red, black and white
Hobbies: reading, writing, cooking, crafts, going to the theater
Animals: I grew up with Nipper the Dog and Felix the Cat
Food: cashews, chocolate, licorice, cheese
Places: the beach; Farmer’s Market; anyplace that I go with my family
Vacation: Holland during tulip time
Kathryn Heling Today...
My husband and I have a grown up son named Joshua who is married to Amy. They have two children, and I love being Bennett and Nora’s grandma!
Sometimes we go swimming, or to the zoo, or the museum. Other times, we just read or play together. I'm glad they live only about 10 minutes away.
I worked as a teacher and a school psychologist and it made me so happy to be in school every day.
My husband and I live in Madison now – the capital of Wisconsin. We love being able to spend more time with our grandchildren!
... About Deborah
Growing up... I have a twin sister — when we were young, my sister and I looked so much alike that our own parents couldn’t tell us apart! I also have two brothers and a younger sister. We grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
I have great memories of our family’s camping trips. My dad used to warm up rocks in the fire pit, roll them in towels, and put them inside our sleeping bags on chilly nights. It made us feel like pioneer children who warmed their feet with hot potatoes!
When I was very young I loved the books, “Are You My Mother”, by P.D. Eastman and “Put Me in the Zoo”, by Robert Lapshire. Later, I read and collected Nancy Drew books. I always asked for Nancy Drew mysteries for Christmas and birthdays. I loved the smell of a brand new book, and I often read the whole book that very same day!
I’ve always loved to draw, write and doodle in journals. My old diaries and journals hold lots of special memories. I have them stored away in a special treasure box. They were the beginning of my writing journey.
It's always been a passion of mine to teach the youngest of learners. My Preschool and Kindergarten students inspired me with their energy, curiosity and creative thinking. They took me on grand adventures!
The inspiration for “I Wish I Had Glasses Like Rosa” and “I Wish I Had Freckles Like Abby” came from two kindergarteners, Kat and Abby.
After 39 years of teaching I decided to retire. I continue to play with young children every opportunity I get! Jumping in leaves, building snow forts, playing hide and seek..... giggles all around!
Favorites…
Color: purple and turquoise
Hobbies: walking, biking, shopping, decorating
Animals: cats
Season: Fall
Food: hamburgers with lots of pickles
Places: my patio with my husband and cat, my classroom and second hand stores
Vacation: Alaska
My husband and I have a cat named Lily who keeps us busy. She wants to play...play...play!
We enjoy spending time in nature...watching birds and wildlife, hiking or riding our 6–wheeler around our hunting land and spending time with family and friends.
