I’m thrilled to share my interview with another Colorado talent, Alice Feagan. She is an author-illustrator and mother of two young children, so I’m wondering how she does it all. I’m planning to meet her in person very soon and maybe she’ll share her secret. In the meantime, we can enjoy her interview and celebrate her debut book THE COLLECTORS which came out earlier this month. I noticed Alice’s description of her childhood is very much like the children in my book ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON, complete with a treehouse, which made me smile.
Alice is generously offering one lucky winner a signed copy of THE COLLECTORS and a bookmark. Comment on the blogpost to enter the giveaway.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
Rosie and Winslow, the two main characters in THE COLLECTORS are very different. Winslow is a fearless finder and Rosie is a clever and cautious cataloger. I was a quiet child, but I think I was more of a Winslow, always up for a new adventure. Growing up in Western North Carolina my childhood home was nestled in the forest at the base of a mountain. I had free reign to explore in the woods, wade in the creek, and hike up the mountain to watch the waterfalls. When school was over we’d often grab a snack and head back outside, down the trail to a treehouse my father built. It was an idyllic childhood, and I loved being outside.
What inspires you?
The list of inspiration for my stories and illustrations is endless and ever evolving. THE COLLECTORS was inspired by a childhood spent outside. Much of my work reflects my love of the natural world. My cut paper collage illustration style came from an interest in folk art, mosaic techniques, and fabric artists. And these days I draw lots of inspiration from my two young sons, Tobyn (4yrs) and Llewyn (17mo).
What’s something you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope THE COLLECTORS inspires kids to celebrate and observe the natural world. There are endless lessons nature can offer children (of all ages) when they stop and take a closer look. I’d love to hear that this story sparks an interest in nature for some of its young readers.
What’s next for you?
THE COLLECTORS released May 4th and I’ll be hosting an outdoor story time and nature walk with Walking Mountain Science Center – https://www.walkingmountains.org in Avon, Colorado Tue, June 29th and Sat, July 3rd. The event will be part of their Earthkeeper program for 3-5 year olds.
I’m also on deadline for the art in a new picture book by Nicole Magistro, READ ISLAND. This book, which will be released Fall 2021, is part of a larger brand that is inspired by reading and nature. READ ISLAND is a woman owned, Colorado based company. You can find the products and eventually the book at: https://www.myreadisland.com
To connect with Alice and learn more about her books:
Twitter – @acfeagan Instagram – @acfeagan Facebook – Alice Feagan
Laura Roettiger Books 
As an avid collector, this sounds like such a wonderful book!
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Thanks for reading, Matthew. I’m a collector as well with many happy memories collecting things with my children – except the part where they wanted me and to carry heavy rocks from the beach. 😂
Good luck in the giveaway!
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This sounds so great! Enjoy the event in June–how nice that those are happening again 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Fleur. Yes to in person events! Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’m so excited for this book and can’t wait to read it/add it to my library
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Thanks for reading, Aubrey. Yes, I’m looking forward to reading it, too. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I still have a lot of the rocks I collected as a child. My favorite is my “potato rock,” which I found while walking on the beach with my grandfather. (It’s the size and shape of a potato, but with a striking brown and white pattern. See how I have to tell you about it?) It’s a good memory. I’m glad that Alice’s book celebrates this type of experience!
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Thanks for reading and sharing about your favorite rock! I love how these interviews inspire so many to share their own memories and connections. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’ve always been a collector–rocks, shells, feathers, dried flowers–so this book will be fun to read. I think so many readers will connect with your book.
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Thanks for reading, Danielle. Yes, I think this book is something we can all connect with. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I love the cover! It makes me want to open up the book and start reading.
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I just bought it and met Alice! It’s so beautiful.
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This looks like a beautiful book!
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Anna, it really is! I just met Alice and got a signed copy. 🥰 I’ll show it to you next week.
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Congratulations, Alice! This looks wonderful! My collecting led to 2 degrees in wildlife biology and a 32+-year career with federal government agencies. Now I write and illustrate picture books!
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Nancy, thanks for reading and sharing your love of collecting! I’m lucky enough to be staying in Vail this week and met Alice this morning. It’s a wonderful book. Good luck in the giveaway.
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We love our nature tables to showcase our daily/weekly/seasonal findings. I know I’m going to love The Collectors, and following along with Rosie and Winslow. Alice, your work is charming and enchanting. I didn’t realize the connection to Read Island branding. I’ve been keeping tabs on Nicole’s creative project since she sold Bookworm. Such a fun discovery.
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Carmela, you’re going to love this book!I was at Bookworm yesterday and they have so many of your books on the shelf! I even saw a few I’d never seen before. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Congratulations Alice! Looking forward to reminders of the joys of collecting.
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Katherine, thank you for reading. This is such a love book. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I would love to read this book and share it with my students. Children are always collecting things they find in nature and gifting them to their teachers. I have a draw full of pebbles, flowers, feathers and other items that I have been gifted. So very sweet!
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I love all the little gifts and collections from students too. Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway.
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Being from the same town as Alice and knowing her, I can’t wait to purchase Alice’s book! As a child I wasn’t a “collector” but began my “collecting” interest years later in college when I took Earth Science. Since then, and especially when my children came along, I’ve been an avid collector of everything natural (and sometimes otherwise) from tiny sharks’ teeth to cicadas (outer shell) and feathers to driftwood! And I must say I’ve successfully introduced “collecting” to my 4 grandchildren! You never know what they may come home with after being with “Gamma”! Cannot wait to share this book with them!
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Jan, thanks so much for reading. It is fun to collect with children and see what they find worthy of bringing home. How wonderful to have 4 grandchildren to share this endeavor with. Good luck in the giveaway.
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