Meet the author Shelli R. Johannes!
Shelli will be at The Story Shop on August 25 from 1-3 p.m. to talk about her phenomenal picture book Cece Loves Science!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
By day, I am a copywriter (with a masters in marketing).
By night, I am a writer, animal lover, kid wrangler and homemaker.
I am not a cook. ☺
What do you do when you are not writing?
Think about writing. Brainstorm about writing. Talk about writing.
Oh, I love to see movies and watch TV, but that’s because I love to analyze the story and writing.
I do hot yoga and hang with my family.
Yeah I am a geek.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved telling stories to make people laugh. But I didn’t start officially writing until I was pregnant with my daughter. I always say she sat on something inside me.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to eat jelly beans? Does that count?
Do you have an upcoming book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
Cece Loves Science is Ada Twist, Scientist meets Fancy Nancy! This STEM-themed picture book, the first in a series, follows inquisitive Cece as she poses one of life’s most pressing questions—do dogs eat vegetables? With her best friend, Isaac, Cece uses science to uncover the answer. This entertaining and educational book is perfect for kids who love Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Back in 2014, Kimberly and I first decided to team up to write CECE LOVES SCIENCE after Shelli's daughter no longer wanted to attend science camp because she was the "only girl." Kim shared Shelli’s deep concern because Kim’s younger daughter grew up thinking math and science were "boys-only" subjects. We’re both writers so of course we headed to the library and bookstore for help. But we couldn’t find exactly what we wanted to share with our own girls.
Who is an author that you look up to today?
James Patterson – just because
Cliché to say JK Rowling but she’s got such a special imagination and she’s an amazing storyteller
What is your favorite genre of book to read?
YA Thrillers
What is your favorite book?
Pippi Longstocking
Who is an author that has inspired you or influenced you growing up?
Judy Blume
Beverly Cleary
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Be persistent. Never give up. A “yes” is always right around the corner.
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers?
Thank you for giving CECE a chance. Since day one, Cece has been a passion project for Kim and me. Our dream is that CECE LOVES SCIENCE encourages not just girls, but kids of all ages to love science. As the mothers of strong-willed daughters, we wholeheartedly believe that girls should rule the field of science...and maybe even the world!
