Author Interview – Gordon Jensen – picture book

Guide to Categories – Author Interview – an interview with an author, if there is no review from me, I have not read the book and cannot speak to its appropriateness for a school library

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Winner of the Independent Book Award for the Novelty & Gift category and the Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention for the Children’s Non-Fiction, Growing Pains, Picture Book – 5 Years and Younger, and Poetry categories, Big Sisters is a beautifully illustrated book that discusses the unique nature of the relationship between sisters.

​Gordon Jensen holds an MBA from University of Rochester, New York, Simon School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working in finance In New York for several years, Jensen went back to Minnesota to run the family business. He retired after selling the the business and is now fulfilling a number of life-long dreams, including writing a novel series.

Author Interview – Gordon Jensen

When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

I have had some story ideas I’ve carried for a long time, and when I retired, I decided to start working on them for better or worse. I have been working on an adult fiction series for a few years, and we’ve published three and are working on the fourth. This children’s book just came out of poem I wrote in recognition of my great nieces and the relationship I saw in my sisters. 

When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

I thought that being retired would be more relaxing, but there always seems to be something to do as far as home maintenance or other chores. But we have a large family, including grandchildren, nieces and nephews, plus lots of friends who love to gather at our lake house, so we spend a lot of time on the water and do a good bit of outdoor activities as well.

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

My favorite genre is history. I love reading about impressive figures from the past and how they lived and decided to take the actions they did and how that has affected our lives today.

What is your vacation destination? Why?

Probably the lake house. It’s a place where I can be alone and have time to read and write, but it’s also a great spot for gathering family.

Who did you have in mind as you wrote the book?

It was a combination of my own sisters and my great-nieces—there are 5 of them now in the family, though there were two when I wrote the poem that inspired the book.

As a former K-12 school librarian I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?

The first one that comes to mind is The Little Engine that Could and The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet. I’ve read them to my grandkids many times. Having a positive attitude is one of the most important messages we can learn in life. 

What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?

Don’t be afraid to just write. Even if you don’t think it’s good, it’s still great practice. It helps develop your imagination and it improves your ability to communicate. As you grow and shape your ideas, you can get even better and identify your unique writing style. Don’t worry so much about whether you get published; just focus on learning how to express yourself clearly and effectively. Writing a book is a great learning experience. It has opened up a whole lot of worlds I wasn’t familiar with. I’d say just Go For It!

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