Inspire, Spring 1997

I SPRING 1997 A News Publication for Cedarville College Alumni nS1) Pinning Down The II Sunrise hat is the secret to a good children's book?"In 1976,Stacy Towle Morgan'80 received this fascinating reply: "Dear Miss Towle,I'm afraid it's a hidden element,impossible to find. It's not the characters or the illustrations. It's like the sunrise—impossible to pin down.Sincerely,E.B. White." Stacy began writing in high school, when she wrote several authors with that question.She has White's answer framed in the office where she writes her series for 7-10 year olds. Her Ruby Slippers Series relates the experiences of8-year-old Hope Brown and her little sister Annie,two home-schooled girls traveling the world with their father. While abroad,these girls are asked frequently why they are not in school. Hope always answers by displaying her backpack which says,"Ruby Slippers School,because there's no place like home." Stacy said that she wrote the books in an attempt to teach through an enjoyable medium.She wanted to give children exposure to other cultures and to the idea that people are not the same everywhere.Stacy included home-schooling as a great way to combine travel with school. Four Ruby Slippers books are out now,with two more coming in March.She also has published a hardback children's picture book,The Cuddlers, and has two more picture books ready to be published. After graduating from Cedarville in 1980,Stacy attended Western Illinois University to earn her M.A.in English literature. She traveled abroad during college,an experience that opened her eyes to a broader view ofthe world and Christianity,and inspired her to write the Ruby Slippers Series. She later worked for the Daily Newsin Bowling Green, Kentucky,writing the travel column,book reviews,and feature stories. She freelanced during her first pregnancy,but had to • stop for a few years to raise her four children.She does not regret the time off, but is very glad to be writing again. She would like to write books to encourage stay-at-home moms,but also enjoys writing children's books,seeing a real need for quality books. Currently,she and her husband, Stacy Towle Morgan '80 Michael,are active in their church through leading drama, writing the staff newsletter,and helping with music.She speaks at Hearts at Home conferences and helps with HomeTogether,a cooperative for home-schoolers in her area.She is not certain which direction God is leading her now,but hopes that He includes pinning down the sunrise.