1-About Jules
at this page, as well.}
Jules here. Welcome to 7-Imp. Here is a bit about me, lest you wonder why I feel the need to gab about books:
I worked first as a sign language interpreter and then a children’s librarian, and for a little while I did both at the same time. I studied children’s literature and librarianship in the School of Information Sciences at The University of Tennessee. I was eager to embark upon a scholarly study of children’s literature and happened to get a degree in librarianship as a side benefit; that’s how I see my graduate school experience anyway — wanting to read read read more children’s lit and truly not even considering at first what exactly I would do with it. One day when my children can fend for themselves a bit more skillfully, I’d like to tackle a doctorate in children’s literature.
I was most recently the librarian at The Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville but am currently in middle Tennessee. I am a stay-at-home mother (that phrase makes it sound like I’m tethered to the kitchen table, so, I’ve never been fond of it but wouldn’t know how else to put it), who also works from home as a part-time contractor. Speaking of motherhood, I wish I had written Big Momma Makes the World by the very talented Phyllis Root, but I digress. Having passed the Days of Snacking on Board Books, my daughters now love to be read to, and my oldest is now reading. I have to say it’s one of life’s greatest joys to watch the world of reading unfold for a child. My first responsibility, as I see it, is to take care of my children and family; work-that-pays comes second; and then comes my efforts to keep up with the field of children’s literature for an eventual return to librarianship one day (and because I crave good books). So, yes, sometimes things like unloading the dishwasher just have to wait.
I have given up on the idea of any hobbies other than reading, since all I want to do in my spare time is read. Yoga? Gardening? Poker? Knitting toaster cozies? They all, in theory, sound nice and I wish I wanted more to do them, but I haven’t read Jane Eyre yet (or Little Women — gasp!) — too many books, not enough time, and life is very short. Good thing my husband likes to cook, huh?
I’d like to think of 7-Imp as a sort of literary salon where authors and illustrators stop by to share their craft. After getting a cup of cyber-coffee. Yeah. That.
My friend, Eisha, used to blog with me and co-founded this with me. I miss her voice at the blog. She’s a very good writer. Thankfully, she still reads and comments. You can still read some of her older stuff in the 7-Imp archives, too.
Random Comment: Maurice Sendak is the object of my hero worship — primarily, for the great respect he has for the emotional lives of children. But also because he’s so smart and talented that it must HURT.
That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it. Enjoy the blog.
– Jules (Julie Danielson; Smyrna, Tennessee)
{To contact me, email “seventhings *at* blaine *dot* org”} . . .
