What's Your Story: Danielle Dufayet

This month we wish a happy book birthday to "Waiting Together" by Danielle Dufayet, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani and published by Albert Whitman and Company.

Waiting is not easy! And waiting can take a long time. Like waiting on the drip, drip, drip of rain to stop or the ding of the timer for cookies to be done baking. But there's one thing that can make waiting go a little bit faster--a friend! A perfect read aloud, this book encourages readers to enjoy every kind of wait.

Danielle is sharing her story with us this month. I can't wait! (see what I did there?!)

The Beginning: I was born in Yonkers, New York and moved to Monterey, California when I was seven. I am first generation French and spoke only French until I was about five. My mom and dad were both professional artists, so I was luck and got some of their creative genes. I started writing poetry and drawing cartoons when I was seven and fell in love with writing.

The Middle: Back in 2002 I decided to get my masters in Psychology. Not only do I love the subject, but I somehow knew getting the credential would come in handy in my writing. I was right! I ended up writing not one, but two picture books (You Are Your Strong and Fantastic You) for Magination Press -the children's imprint of the American Psychological Association. Both my books came out of a difficult time in my life and so I wanted to write self-empowering books for kids.

The End- which of course, is always a new beginning!: My third book, Waiting Together, is a fun book about all the kinds of waits a kid does throughout the day. I wanted to show that, yes, waiting is not easy, but you can still enjoy the moment; and, that waiting is always better with a friend! I just sold my fourth picture book (can't reveal yet!) and I have a fifth in submission which is about how we are all our own stories and how we interpret our stories makes us who we are.

Thanks so much Danielle, you're preaching to the choir there about stories making us who we are! All the best with your beautiful book and thank you for sharing your story with us.

Talk to you next time story lovers and remember to make your story one you love...