The author's family in 1995. Photo: Anthony Isaacs.

Back in the 1990s, Editor in Chief Roger Sutton invited me to write a short article for the Horn Book on family literacy. I wrote about the Garcias’ Sunday afternoon ritual of strolling through our tree-lined neighborhood. My husband, Peter, daughter Michelle, and I walked with reading materials in hand, while my youngest, Stephanie, would sing her made-up “Cookie Song.” Stephanie was dyslexic and struggled with reading. While reading books was a big part of our family literacy, on these afternoons we found other ways of engaging with the printed and spoken word. (At right: the author's family in 1995.)

I worried that the Horn Book wouldn’t accept a piece that didn’t mention a book title. To my surprise, they accepted the article! Years later I was invited to write another article, this time for the September/October 2009 special issue on the theme of Trouble. I wrote about the last whipping I received as a child and my own approach to disciplining my children. Again, I thought, this isn’t exactly what they want, is it? They published it.

When it was time to leave my day job to teach and write, I panicked. For the past twenty-five years, my world had been about data files and software. I was desperate to immerse myself in the world of children’s books. I turned to the Horn Book — every issue heralding noteworthy titles. I was in safe hands as the Magazine became my advisor with its reviews, stars, quirky features, and industry interviews.

Over time, with a divorce and kids growing up, the Garcia family’s Sunday ritual changed. I was an empty nester. After church and football, I’d visit my grandmother, bringing her news or ­mementos from my writing successes. One Sunday, I made the mistake of bringing Grandma the Horn Book Magazine clipping of my first Coretta Scott King Author Award speech. “Where’s the rest of it?” she asked. The next week I brought her the entire issue. You can’t brag in church about your granddaughter’s award speech without the actual magazine in hand!

I am proud to have a collection of my articles, speeches, and accolades documented by the Horn Book. Those issues weave into a family history that I will share with my grandchildren.

From the May/June 2024 special issue of The Horn Book Magazine: Our Centennial. For more Horn Book centennial coverage, click here. Find more in the "Blowing the Horn" series here.

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