Interview with
Sharon Moore
Can you share with us a glimpse of your creative journey and what led you to intertwine faith, fun, and creativity in your artistic endeavors? My journey as an author of children’s books started many years ago when I was a Preschool Teacher. It was then that I wrote and had published my first book entitled Linda The Ladybug Goes to Heaven. I worked at a church daycare and I wanted to help my students understand about heaven and what happens when our loved ones die. Since then I have written and published 3 more books for children and a book of poetry. That all started to happen about 3 years ago, when I found a wonderful illustrator on Facebook. All my stories are a fun way to help children grow in their faith. My illustrator – Valeria Leonova does an amazing job of bringing my stories to life. My books are just one part of my creative arts outreach – Sharon Moore Fun. I also play the violin and help out with sing-alongs at local senior care facilities, as well as play my violin / fiddle in community events. One other artistic endeavor is that I enjoy creating watercolor pictures of nature and adding scripture or an inspirational saying to them. How does your book, “That First Christmas Day” engage young readers while imparting valuable messages and lessons? My intention was to enlighten children about the true essence of Christmas. I crafted a narrative wherein a young girl expresses her wish to witness the first Christmas when
Jesus was born. This tale is encapsulated in a poem titled “I Wish I Could Have Been There.” Within the poem, the girl creates a heartfelt card for baby Jesus. The book concludes with pages encouraging children to craft their own cards. By presenting the story in this interactive format, my aspiration is to captivate young minds and impart to them the genuine significance of Christmas. What role does your background in early childhood education play in shaping the content and structure of your books? I strongly believe in the significance of introducing children, even as young as preschool age, to the teachings of Jesus and initiating the establishment of foundational principles found in the Bible. This includes instilling practices like prayer, imparting Bible lessons, and nurturing the potential for sharing with others. Living in Bloomington, Indiana, what elements of the community or environment influence your creative expression? Bloomington, Indiana, offers an inspiring environment nurturing various forms of creative expression. Home to Indiana University, it provided me with abundant opportunities to witness exceptional artists showcasing their talents while growing up. My mother, a choir teacher in the public school system, frequently brought my twin sister and me to orchestra concerts and other enriching events. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Bricht, my dedicated violin instructor for many years, I learned the intricacies of playing the violin. Participating annually in the School of Music’s solo and ensem-
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