Interview with Nicole Weaver, author of My Birthday is September Eleven and Other Short Stories

Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish at the high school level. Her second trilingual children’s book titled, My Sister is My Best Friend will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing in the fall. She is also the author of a trilingual picture book titled, Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. She recently published a kindle ebook titled, My Birthday is September Eleven and Other Short Stories.

What compelled you to write a collection of children's stories about 9/11?

I have a friend whose nephew was born on 9/11. He will turn ten on 9/11. His birthday always has an undercurrent of sadness to it. After hearing about him, I began to wonder about all the children that were born on that day. The story is designed to give a ray of hope to all those children who were born on that horrible day.

I lived in New York and during the summers I worked as a summer intern at one of the twin towers. It is still very hard for me to accept that 9/11 really happened.

What would you say is the age range for the readers?

The stories are geared for 6-8 graders.

What do you hope your book will teach children?

I hope children will learn that there is always someone worse off than them. The main lesson I want children to learn is the need to have compassion for others.

Do you have other books published?

Yes, I have a trilingual children’s picture titled: Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle/Maria y su Amiga la Tortuga del Mar. I have a second trilingual book due to be published by Guardian Angel Publishing fall 2011 titled: My Sister is My Best Friend and a third book under contract: My Brother is My best Friend.

What do you love most about writing for children?

I love inspiring children and encouraging them to appreciate other cultures and languages.

I understand your son is on the cover of the story collection. How did that come about?

My cover designer made the suggestion to use my own photo. After perusing my picture selection I came across the photo my oldest took of our youngest son while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Do you have a website and blog?

Yes I do. For more information readers can visit:

My Sister Is My Best Friend Blog:
http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle Blog:
http://marieandherfriendtheseaturtle.blogspot.com

Websites:
http://outskirtspress.com/nicoleweaver
http://www.melangeofcultures.wordpress.com
http://nicole-weaver.com