59°
Young, a Bethel resident, can always be seen around town — from the local bookstore, to the schools, and just about anywhere downtown. She often teaches the young writer's workshop at the Bethel Library.
Growing up far away in Germany and nearby in Fairfield, Young has seen the world from many different points of view and experienced the culture of two countries first-hand.
Young found her calling as a children’s author and illustrator and a science educator.
Growing up, her neighborhood had rivers, ponds, and beaches along Long Island Sound. “I love the water,” she said.
“With my spare time, I spend it with a walk in the woods or on the beach, usually with my dogs, friends or even my husband," she said. "I also swim and snorkel when I get the chance.” She also enjoys to travel, knit, drive around and eat pie.
At a young age, Young discovered her passion for writing and wanted to make a career from it. “When I realized that people created books -- the words and pictures -- I knew what I wanted to do,” she says.
So far, she has written over three dozen books, for all age groups -- including kindergarten and adults. But her main audience is kids ages 9 to 14, which includes the upper elementary, middle and early high school years. Young works in a range of genres — fiction, nonfiction, and graphics.
“I've worked hard to improve my artwork and hope I can increasingly use it creatively as part of my books,” Young said.
By writing, Young has found an outlet for expressing herself and encourages others to follow suit. She has determined that it's important for her to reach out to students to help them find what interests them.
Her goal is to expose them to experiences that can help them find the work that they will do for life, she said. Also, she believes more students would decide to go into the arts and sciences if they could see jobs for themselves at the end. Her goal is to write about people who have followed those less traditional paths.
“If kids have models to show them the way and if they themselves are in those models, then they can build a future for themselves that fosters what is best in them,” Young says.
For more information on Young's publications, click here. For her Facebook page, click here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Newtown and receive free news updates.
