Alabama State University issued the following announcement on Oct. 28.
Dr. Linda J.M. Holloway, a storyteller, author, coach and an Alabama State University professor, can now add award-winning children’s book author to her many accomplishments.
Holloway, associate professor and program coordinator for the counseling programs in the College of Education, has written three children's books with her third book, “Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Sickle Cell Disease,” winning the prestigious 2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.
The awards encompassed a total of 1,140 entries, with 153 winners/medalists that represented 36 U.S. states plus D.C., 4 Canadian provinces and 7 overseas countries. Award recipients received gold, silver and bronze medals and stickers depicting a mother and child reading and silhouetted by a full moon. Holloway book won a bronze star in the health category.
“Winning the award is a tremendous accomplishment. I am exceptionally excited to be recognized among several authors who are making a difference globally inspiring young children to read, as well as creating opportunities for stories to be shared concerning issues that impacts the African-American Communities,” Holloway said. \
The book focuses on a little girl by the name of Little Miss Linda who discovers her best friend, Sally, has sickle cell disease when she gets sick at school. Learning about her friend's illness inspires Little Miss Linda not only to want to help her friend but also to help other children who suffer from the dreaded disease. Linda creates an awareness campaign at her school to inform her peers about sickle cell disease.
Holloway was inspired to write children's books because of her desire to ensure that children have a safe and brave place to have conversations about topics that they may often find difficult to discuss.
“I wanted to encourage and empower young children through positive, healthy and motivational books so they can feel positive about who they are and know they can achieve anything,” she said.
Holloway said ideas for her books are “derived from the various articles I have written. Which includes topics I believed are very prevalent in the African-American communities.”
Holloway offers some advice to up-and-coming writers.
“The advice I have for writers is do not be afraid to put your voice out in the atmosphere; get started writing where you are; write about those things that stir your soul; surround yourself with people who can support you along this journey, i.e., an editor, readers, and a graphic artist; believe in yourself; and write because you have a story to tell and because your story is better read then in your head,” she said.
Holloway is a 26-year veteran of higher education and has published more than 25 articles in her field of study. Holloway also served more than 27 years in the United States Army Reserves Medical Service Corp where she retired as a Colonel.
She uses her platform, “Women Without Limitations,” to advocate for women to discover, embrace and live out their God-ordained destiny by living by the philosophy, “Dream Your Own Dreams.”
All of Holloway’s books, including “I Love My Happy Hair” and “Little Miss Linda Goes To Counseling,” are available online at Amazon.
“Writing children’s book is one way I support childhood literacy and lifelong reading,” she added.
Original source can be found here.
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