Stephanie Crane is an elementary teacher who has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds. In her spare time, she substitutes at her children's school, bringing her passion for education to various classrooms. After taking time off to raise her three young sons, she was inspired to write a book that celebrates the beauty of the Minnesota Northwoods. Through her writing, Stephanie aims to share her family's love of the outdoors, adventures, and wildlife, inviting young readers to explore and appreciate the natural world around them.

Background: 

Bachelors from the College of Saint Benedict in 2008. Masters from University of Saint Thomas. Minnesota Elementary education licensed teacher K-6. Elementary Teacher, Paraprofessional, Special Education Para, Substitute, Stay at Home Mom, & most recently a Children's Author. 

What inspired you to become a children's author?

My own three sons inspired me to write because I have grown to love Children's Books in the last 7 years from our shared story time. My favorite part of teaching is teaching Elementary students how to read. As a kid, reading didn't come easy to me. As an adult, reading is one of my favorite past times! 

Do you have any favorite books or authors? How did they influence you?

A few children's books that are favorites in our household and have influenced my writing are: "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson and "The Mitten" by Jan Bret. 

How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

Our family loves the Minnesota wildlife, the great outdoors, and exploring in Northern Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. 

What age group do you primarily write for, and why?

Preschool and early elementary aged children because it is the age of my children and the primary age I've taught in schools. 

What themes do you often explore in your books?

Friendship & Teamwork 

How do you develop your characters?

Cody was named after my oldest son who is 7 and we've nicknamed "Cody Bear" (Kodiak Bear). 

Have you participated in school visits or author events?

We have one coming up where you can meet the Authors. Small Business Saturday event Saturday, November 23rd from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Burn Bootcamp in Maple Grove. 

Joanne Deter has embraced retirement as a time for new adventures and is looking forward to this newest chapter in her life. With a love for storytelling, Joanne hopes this book will bring delight to young readers while conveying a true sense of outdoor adventures!

What inspired you to become a children's author?

I have 10 grandchildren and love to read to them. The joy of knowing I can spark a love for reading, curiosity, or empathy in a child motivates me. Writing for children lets me combine imagination with important life lessons, which feels both meaningful and incredibly rewarding. I hope my stories encourage kids to explore, dream, and enjoy reading. 

What was your experience like while writing this book?

Working on this children’s book with my daughter, Steph, has been a wonderful experience, and I’m excited about the opportunity to bring more stories to life in our upcoming books! Stay tuned for the next Wild Is Beautiful book! 

How did you get started writing? 

I started writing working on a novel set during the Korean War, inspired by a deep connection to this period and the lives affected by it. I continue to work on this project and hope to finish it sometime soon. 

Have you participated in school visits or author events?

We have several school visits on the calendar and hope to have many more opportunities to share our book.. We have puppets, storytelling, and activities to bring this book to life for school-age children.

What do you enjoy most about writing for children? 

What I enjoy most about writing for children is the opportunity to spark curiosity and wonder in young minds. Writing for children means creating a world where imagination knows no bounds. I hope through the Wild is Beautiful books to bring a sense of the Northwoods and adventures to children through the storyline and colorful illustrations. It’s incredibly rewarding to think that these stories might inspire their own creativity, empathy, and understanding of the world around them. Seeing a child’s excitement over a story I’ve written is one of the best feelings!