Amanda wrote the poem
DOVER DEMON
Gnome & UnGnome Facts About Amanda:
Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness.
Amanda is the author of the award-winning, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Hachette Book Group/WorthyKids, 2021) MOONLIGHT MEMORIES, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, (Hachette Book Group/WorthyKids, June 2023) and a yet to be announced forthcoming title.
Her poetry and illustrations appear in the Writers’ Loft Poetry Anthology, Friends and Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children (2020).
She is the recipient of the 2020 Ann Whitford Paul-Writer’s Digest Most Promising Picture Book Award and is an active member of SCBWI, 12×12, and The Writers’ Loft.
Davis has over ten years of experience as a classroom teacher and was selected as Massachusetts Secondary Art Educator of the Year.
When she’s not busy creating, she is usually sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pup, Cora. Learn more at https://www.amandadavisart. com.
Absol’s Q&A with Amanda:
So lovely to meet you, Amanda! Thanks for being our LEGEND of the WEEK.
I’ll start with my favorite question. If you could be any mythological creature, who or what would you be and why?
Loch Ness Monster–I’m a water lover so I’d love to inhabit the water and live mysteriously there. I’ve also visited the Scottish Highlands, where Nessie is said to live and it’s BEAUTIFUL! I would get to call it home and get to see those landscapes every day.
Can you tell our curious readers a little about how you came to be a part of this new anthology?
I had poetry and illustrations in the last anthology, Friends & Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children. It was a blast to collaborate with fellow creatives both new and veteran to bring the lovey book into the world. I love how many different writing and illustration styles there are in each anthology and couldn’t wait to be a part of it again.
And what inspired you to write about the DOVER DEMON? I know of them but I can’t say I call them a friend, exactly.
Being from Massachusetts, and knowing the Loft is located here as well, I wanted to find a creature that was native to the state. That was how I landed on the Dover Demon, which was allegedly sighted in Dover, MA.
What’s great in your life right now that you want to share, personal or professional?
I’ve been enjoying my time with our one-year-old daughter. Feeling excited to watch her learn and grow. I also have two more picture books on the way. Moonlight Memories, launching in June 2023, and a yet-to-be-announced title in 2024. I’m looking forward to celebrating both books as they enter the world along with the launch of Gnomes & UnGnomes.
My Gnome-sense tells me you’re an animal lover. This is not really a question, more of an observation.
I’m a huge animal lover so just wanted to share a picture of our special furry friend, Cora. She’s ten years old and a rescue from Missouri!
Photo Credit: Jenni With An Eye Photography.
She’s lovely. Thanks for sharing!
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