Thanksgiving may only come once a year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a little turkey fun year-round! With Brenda Reeves Sturgis’ [amazon_link id=”0761458476″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]10 Turkeys in the Road[/amazon_link], the wobbly gobblers offer both a silly story and a wonderfully illustrated counting activity. See? A perfect book to read and enjoy with little learners whatever the season.
Brenda loved reading and writing growing up, but after graduating from high school, she joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at an air base in Aviano, Italy!
It wasn’t until she became of member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators in 2004 that she really took off on being a writer.In 2007, with her story “The Football Game” (now retitled “Touchdown!”), Brenda won first place and a honorable mention in Roxyanne Young’s Smart Writers Contest.
Brenda continues with her love of reading and writing, and is a very happy mom and grandma in Maine. Please welcome Brenda to the Spotlight!
MCA: Welcome to Celebrating Mom’s Choice, Brenda! Can you please tell us about what motivated you to create your book?
Brenda: It is actually based on a true story. One day when I was taking my daughter to school, there were about ten turkeys blocking our country road. I wanted to beep at them because we were running late, but instead, I stopped and watched them. They were hilarious.
It was such a fun moment. And obviously inspirational … I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with the idea for the book in my head.
MCA: Now that you have an award-winning book, what are your goals for the next year?
Brenda: My goal for the upcoming year is to make as many children laugh as possible. To use the humor in my book, [amazon_link id=”0761458476″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]10 Turkeys in the Road[/amazon_link] to bring smiles to children. I’d love to attend functions at literacy events, children’s hospitals, and schools to read my book, and share my experiences.
MCA: Please name three ways your Mom’s Choice Award® will help you attain your goals. 
Brenda: The Mom’s Choice Award will help me reach a wider audience than might not otherwise hear of 10 Turkeys in the Road.
It will also help me to meet people that might want to make contact, and it will open doors for other polished projects.
MCA: Can you share with us what you learned about yourself as an writer in creating your award-winning book?
Brenda: I discovered that I have a lot of determination, a never-quit-attitude, and the spirit to continue on in the face of adversity. When you go up against as many rejections as writers receive, it takes somebody with a lot of faith to continue on the path.
MCA: Since launching your book, what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory?
Brenda: Every aspect of this journey is rewarding, from the writing to the revisions. Seeing the illustrations for the first time, holding the book in my hand for the first reading. Hearing the audio CD from Scholastic, that was mind boggling. I have worked a long time (seven years) to get this far, and I love all of it.
I love the marketing, I love creating the activities, and working with the people that create them for me.
MCA: As a new honoree, do you have any questions you’d like some of the “old hands” to answer for you?
Brenda: I’d like to know how I can make a difference for Mom’s Choice? What can I do as a writer of children’s books to help you?
MCA: Wow! I don’t think we’ve ever had anyone ask us that question! Our goal is to provide first-in-class service and lifetime support to our honorees. If you can spread the word with your experiences, that would be grand!
Mom’s Choice Awards® Honors
[amazon_link id=”0761458476″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]
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by Brenda Reeves SturgisIllustrated by David Slonim
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2011
Children’s Picture Books
Gold – Humor
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The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.