Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Phoebe Fox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Phoebe, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

It’s hard to choose, but I think creating my upcoming book, On the Verde River, has been the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. Back in Fall 2018, my husband and I took a leap of faith and purchased a very rough piece of property on the Verde River. We knew it would take a lot of blood, sweat and tears to transform into something we could truly enjoy, but it turned out to be a beautiful opportunity! With our three boys out of school during the pandemic, we were able to spend loads of time up in Camp Verde. We fished, took canoe rides, and worked on the land. We cleared away dead wood, picked up trash, put in a much needed culvert, trimmed trees, and planted grass. It’s a work in progress, but it has given us hours of valuable family time, and the results have been satisfying, to say the least. The picture book, On the Verde River, was inspired by the Verde River, as well as all the plants and animals in the area that I have gotten to know over the past few years. I wrote the text while I was under a magnificent cottonwood tree, listening to the birds and the sound of my boys playing in nature. My father-in-law, a former NBA player-turned water colorist, painted the illustrations, and it all came together beautifully. The book was published by The Friends of the Verde River, which makes it meaningful in yet another way. Sales of the books will help promote conservation and protect and support hundreds of wildlife species that depend on the Verde River Watershed.

Phoebe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born in Phoenix and have lived in Arizona my entire life. For college, I attended Barrett at ASU, where I studied Early Childhood Development. After graduation, I stayed on to earn a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I became a first grade teacher in the Gilbert School District and then a library media specialist in the Tempe School District. I resigned from this position to have children, and when our youngest was in preschool, I went back to work part-time as a librarian at a small school in Paradise Valley. As a child, reading was always difficult for me, but I loved books! Writing came more easily. I love to write simple stories and facts about animals, and I truly enjoy the challenge of writing in rhyme. In 2015, I decided to publish a children’s book called Starry’s Haircut. The story is about a little sheep who is afraid to have her wool sheared. This book became a series of three books about Starry the Sheep, who was a real sheep who spent her days at the Montessori Center School in the heart of Phoenix. Shortly after writing Starry’s Haircut, I entered a picture book manuscript contest hosted by Southwest Human Development. My manuscript for Up Up Up won the First Edition Project Children’s Book Contest, and my career as an author took off! I have two books about mammal mothers and babies, one of which was published by Platypus Media and was the 2020 recipient of the International Latino Book Awards “Best Children & Youth Poetry Book” Award. I also have a book called Panda Proud which was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the non-profit PANDA (People Acting Now Discover Answers). My newest book is called Julian Blooms and is about a lovable late-bloomer peacock. I am thrilled to be working with the Friends of the Verde River on my upcoming picture book, On the Verde River, which will be available soon! I live in Phoenix with my husband, our three teenage boys, a Golden Doddle, and Golden Retriever puppy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Getting to read my books to children is definitely the most rewarding part of this career. When I was a library media specialist, I read to children on a regular basis, and I miss it! I loved hearing their laughter and seeing their expressions when they learned something new, were surprised by something, or something made them laugh. School visits are the best! They provide an opportunity to share my work with its intended audience and essential feedback, as well. Students love to share their opinions and often have great suggestions. During one school visit, I read the start of a new book to a group of children, and we had a great discussion about what could happen to the main character. One of the student’s ideas ended up in Starry Gets Lost! Every once in a while I receive a photo, video, or letter that shows me a child is enjoying my work, and that is the most heart-warming feeling in the world.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Before I began writing for children, I would have loved to have known about the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). As a membership organization, this group supports authors and illustrators on their path to creating wonderful books for children. They offer annual conferences (both virtual and in person) and provide numerous resources on their website. They also have local chapters that meet on a regular basis and host regional conferences. I have met some incredible mentors through SCBWI and have vastly improved my craft by attending their conferences and workshops. For anyone interested in writing and/or illustrating books for children, this group is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mamafoxbooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamafoxbooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamafoxbooks
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mamafoxbooks
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/mamafoxbooks
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mamafoxbooks/

Image Credits
Crystal Koel of Koel Memories Photography