Today, Norene Paulson whose second picture book WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? released this month. I am always impressed by the creativity of writers, but if you visit Norene’s website, you’ll see her bio written from A to Z which is delightful. Norene is generously offering one winner a signed copy of WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? or a non-rhyming picture book critique. Winner’s choice! Please include which prize you would prefer in the comments!

What were you like at the age of your target audience?
In elementary school I was painfully shy and quiet…a bit of a loner, but I never felt alone because I loved to read. Reading blessed me with an unlimited number of friends–book friends, and we went on wonderful adventures together. I solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and explored the frontier with Laura Ingalls Wilder. My comfort zone always has been and still is filled with words…reading, writing, playing word games, and I know that stems from those early years when words were my best friends.

What inspires you?
No surprise that my love of words led me to become a middle school language arts teacher and that experience is what inspires me. I write stories of friendship, acceptance, and inclusion because growing up is not easy, and I had a front row seat for over twenty years to the struggles many students face trying fit in, trying to be accepted, and trying to develop friendships. I write for those students because learning to be kind, empathetic, and inclusive needs to be emphasized early and over and over as kids grow up.
What’s one thing you hope readers will take away from your books?
A sense of empowerment is the one thing I hope readers take away after reading both WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? and my debut picture book BENNY’S TRUE COLORS. From a young age, I want them to know they have the power to initiate change.

What can we look forward to next?
On a professional note, I have several additional stories out on submission, several more in various stages of revision, and several more swirling around in my head including…shhh, a sequel to Silly Hair. On a personal note, my husband and I have a new grandson who, hopefully, by this time, we’ve had a chance to meet. The pandemic and the wintery weather have made traveling the 800 miles to visit difficult.
You can find out more about Norene and her books:
Twitter – NorenePaulson, Facebook – norene.paulson Instagram – nrpaulson
website – www.norenepaulson.com
Thank you for the get-to-know the author post today. I have a friend with alopecia and this book sounds excellent as I haven’t seen a picture book featuring this. If I won, I would choose a nonfiction picture book critique–I’ve been working on my manuscript and feel it’s ready for this next step.
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Danielle, thank you for reading and being such a wonderful supporter of the blog. Good luck in the giveaway!
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Thanks, Danielle! I enjoyed sharing.
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Love this!
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Thanks for reading, Elli! This would be a wonderful book at school. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thanks, Elli!
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I would love to win an autographed copy of the book! It would be great fir my classroom!
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Thanks for reading, Kendra! It’s a wonderful book to share with a class. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thanks, Kendra! I’d love to see the book in your classroom!
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Such a great interview, Norene and Laura! Norene, congratulations on Silly Hair–you know I love this book! And how exciting that you’re working on a sequel! 🙂
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Jolene, thanks so much for reading and all of your support. 💙 Good luck in the giveaway!
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Thanks, Jolene! I so appreciate your unfailing support!!
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So many authors were painfully shy as children. Good thing, or we might have wandered into other careers, LOL. Congrats on Silly Hair!
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There definitely seems to be a correlation. I was the opposite of shy and still am. Good luck in the giveaway, and as always, thank you for reading.
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Thanks, Jilanne, and that is so true!
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Your books are such a gift, Norene!
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Thanks for reading, Lauren. And thank you for your kind words. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thanks, Lauren! I so appreciate your generous support!
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Love Benny’s True Colors — can’t wait to read Norene’s latest!
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Thanks for reading and yes, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS is wonderful. Good luck in the giveaway!
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Teaching my students to be kind, empathetic and inclusive is a goal every year and what better what to achieve that than through the sharing of wonderful children’s book!? I would love to share What’s Silly Hair Day With No Hair with my students!
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Thanks for reading, Melissa. Picture books are such a wonderful way to share these important messages. Good luck in the giveaway.
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