Meet Beth Anderson | Children’s Author and Former Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Illinois by parents with a “can-do” attitude who encouraged me to explore, be creative, help others, and not be afraid to try new things—all beneficial traits that carried me along. I learned early on that I enjoyed words—the science of words, the potential of words, and playing with words on a page. That led to a career as an educator. After teaching English language learners for more than twenty years, I gave my “someday” of writing for children a try. How I was raised, my love for writing, and my experiences in the classroom all came together as I explored the publishing industry and found my path into narrative nonfiction illustrated texts that share little known stories of people and events in history. Research is like a treasure hunt, and putting the pieces of story together is like a puzzle. History comes alive when you can look through the eyes of people and bring humanity to the page, and I’ve realized that just like those people from the past, we’re all part of history as we face the challenges of our time and place. Being able to connect to the past brings understanding to today. It took me a long time to get to this place of being a children’s author, but I wouldn’t be writing what I write if it weren’t for all the life experiences on the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Though I used children’s literature throughout my career and taught writing to kids, becoming a traditionally published writer for children hasn’t been easy. There’s been a lot of learning to do, and lots of rejections along the way. Once I found my niche with narrative nonfiction and dove into telling true stories of little known people and events, personal and educational passions came together. I go after stories that deal with justice, possibility, self discovery, believing in self, pushing past traditions, and perseverance. I love historical events that include science. And humor! First and foremost, my goal is an engaging story. I hope to open up a child’s world and encourage critical thinking. And any accidental learning that happens along the way is frosting on the cake. Writing about the determination of real people provides perspective when we face our own challenges. I hope kids will be inspired by the courage and perseverance of others. Most of all, when we look at the big picture, the inclusive picture, we see people like all of us. Heroes don’t do it alone. We all have a role to play.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For me, it’s a real treat to be immersed in the beauty and nature of Colorado. My favorite places are parks and scenic drives—from Rocky Mountain National Park, to Mesa Verde, and mountain towns along the way. Sometimes all I have to do to see wildlife is look out the window! As someone relatively new to the state, I have a lot to explore!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout goes to the people that surround me. My husband, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends all encourage and inspire me through whatever I do.
In the writing world, a huge shoutout goes to the kid lit community. The organization SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) was instrumental in getting me started and led to many friendships, critique partners, and other generous and supportive creators who share knowledge and guidance. Gratitude also goes to industry professionals who have given me this chance.

Website: beth@bethandersonwriter.com

Instagram: @BAndersonwriter.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.anderson.33671748/

Other: Blue Sky: @Bandersonwriter.com

Image Credits
Headshot credit: Tina Wood Photography