Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hudgens.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My book was created for the student or child that is learning to read and recognize diphthongs. Diphthongs are two vowel sounds joined together to form one speech sound. I taught various phonics and fluency reading programs at Bellville ISD for 18 years in RTI (Response To Intervention). When my students would read, I noticed they would stop on the diphthongs and try to sound them out wrong. This would always slow their reading down. I would highlight the diphthongs such as: ea, or, ai, or, oa and get them to reread the sounds correctly. The repetition and highlighting did help and I felt accomplished and happy for the students.
While teaching RTI, the students and I would read different practice stories some were about how authors started writing stories. I developed a passion for writing a children’s book and several years later, I did just that. My book is based on my children visiting my parent’s home in the country and all of their memories. My hopes and dreams are that my book will bring joy to any struggling young reader. Not only is this story effective in ways of learning to read, but it is a fun farm story with colorfully illustrated pages… I have attended several book readings/signings at schools and at different bookstores and the children really love and relate to the farm animals. They have lots of stories to tell of their own about animals and wanting to be an author.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth road, but I would like for my book to get more exposure. So many young struggling readers could benefit from my book.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Author of A DAY AT THE BERNS FAMILY FARM Children’s phonics book. I do have another book written for a series and it will be illustrated soon. I’m very proud of how this book turned out and also proud that my dad Larry Hamby is the illustrator. Larry worked as a graphic designer in Houston, TX for 49 years and has lots of history in Houston. I think his work is the best and I would not have wanted anyone else to illustrate my books. There are no other reading programs or books highlighting diphthongs, so my book is apart from others.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have hired a Literary Agent to boost my book more efficiently, but besides that Mascot Books Publishing Company has done a fabulous job.
Pricing:
- My book is $14.95 online at Mascotbooks.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, BAM
Contact Info:
- Website: thebernsfamilybooks.com
- Phone: 979-885-8858
- Email: hudgenslaura@yahoo.com
- Instagram: hudgenslaura
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hudgens.9
Image Credit:
Linda Hamby Mother and Courtney Hudgens Daughter and Larry Hamby Father
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