For former Alpine resident Dee M. Davis, the idea for a children’s book series began with a suggestion from her husband — and an idea she initially never considered.
Davis grew up in Valley Center and moved to Alpine around 2001 after taking a job in El Cajon. She later turned her interests in writing, science, technology and sustainability into the Mara Meets children’s book series, which follows a curious 5-year-old girl as she meets real people and learns about their lives, careers and accomplishments.
Davis was writing her nonfiction book, Self-Paced Sustainability: Reducing Impact on Your Terms, when her husband suggested she try writing a children’s book.
“I am a non-fiction writer, but the idea was intriguing and I couldn’t get it out of my head,” Davis said.
That idea became the Mara Meets series. Davis said she wanted to show children that their futures can take many directions.
“I want young children everywhere to know that they have options, and nothing is out of their reach,” she said.
The first book, Mara Meets Sandra’s Sweet Rolls, introduces readers to Alpine entrepreneur Sandra and her sweet-roll business. Davis said she chose Sandra because she had watched the business develop from an idea into a thriving enterprise.
“Entrepreneurship is such an important concept for young children,” Davis said.
The series also reflects her own professional background. She has worked in fields traditionally viewed as male-dominated, including the military, construction, science and technology. Through Mara Meets, she hopes to introduce children to women who have pursued careers and businesses with determination despite stereotypes and doubts.
The books combine fictional storytelling with real people, places and experiences. To research the first book, Davis attended markets and events with Sandra, observing her business and watching children react to her sweet rolls.
Davis said she begins each book by mapping the story on a timeline, followed by scene notes and dialogue. She then works with an illustrator to turn those ideas into finished pages.
For the first book, that illustrator was Nancy Poinsot, a professional art teacher and longtime friend. Davis said working with Poinsot taught her how much it goes into creating illustrations for a children’s book — from characters’ clothing and appearances to perspective, color and artistic style.
One of Davis’ favorite illustrations shows Mara looking into an oven at baking sweet rolls, with the perspective coming from inside the oven.
The response to the first book has been encouraging. Davis said she has delivered and shipped hundreds of copies to readers in several states.
The second book is now illustrated and is expected to be released later this year. Mara Meets an Artist will feature Poinsot herself, with Mara visiting real locations in Poinsot’s community and taking part in an annual art contest that Poinsot has won several times.
Davis said her years in Alpine also influenced her writing. Her connection to the natural world, she said, helped inspire her sustainability book and continues to influence the way she sees the world.
For aspiring writers, Davis recommends taking writing classes, joining author groups and learning from other writers. She also emphasizes the importance of professional editing.
For young illustrators, she pass e s along Poinsot’s advice that illustrating a children’s book is about more than creating individual pictures. Each illustration must help tell the story, while changes in perspective keep the visual experience interesting.
Davis publishes her children’s books under the name Dee M. Davis.
The Mara Meets books are available through Amazon.