As a child, reading books was her all-time favorite pastime activity.
Published: June 28, 2024
By: Stephanie Rodda
Author Dr. Linda J.M. Holloway is a poet, story activist and children’s author of seven children’s books thus far. Her humble beginnings started in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.
This all-black town was founded by two formerly-enslaved persons. She lived there on a farm with her parents and siblings, where they enjoyed all the benefits of a simple country life. It was these happy days of childhood that shaped her into who she is today.
Holloway is currently an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Alabama State University. Today, we talk with her about her first book, I Love my Happy Hair, from the “Little Miss Linda” series. She retired from the United States Army Reserve Medical Service Corp as a Colonel after serving over 27 years and successfully completing four combat tours of duty.
Q – Dr. Holloway, when did you know you wanted to write for children? Did a particular event lead to that decision?
A – Writing children’s books was not something that was initially on my radar. However, after writing several journal articles, I wanted a way to reach a younger audience with the topics I was addressing.
My goals were two-fold in developing, designing, and distributing children’s books. The first was to impact social-emotional learning and the second was to increase literacy.
Q – How do you hope your books will impact young lives and young minds? What do you hope to achieve?
A – When children finish reading my books, I want them to feel good about who they are as a person and show love, empathy, kindness, compassion, and respect toward others with a desire to make a difference in their communities.
Q – Do you have a personal mantra that you live by?
A – I live my life by two of my own philosophies, “Dream Your Own Dreams” and “Always be Willing to Serve.” When a person can dream their own dreams, they are inspired to move in the direction that God designed for them. This becomes their blueprint to accomplish things in life that make their heart sing and their soul dance. Otherwise, they will be trying to fulfill dreams that have been established by others for themselves. Always being willing to serve is a mantra that not only wakes me up in the morning, but keeps me up. I am inspired by being able to provide the best services possible to other people, while also caring for myself. I discovered early on that self-care is also very important.
Holloway says she often gets to see her dreams realized as she visits churches, schools, and other groups to read her books to attending children. Her heart is greatly encouraged as she interacts with the young people, sometimes bringing along items of interest like hair styling mannequins and other objects to engage with the students. As a child, reading books was her all-time favorite pastime activity. Now, she’s happily providing other children with the joy she once experienced.
Holloway has won a number of writing awards: 2022 Distinguished Authors Guild-DAG, 2022 PenCraft Book Award. 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention, and 2021 New York City Big Book Award as a Distinguished Favorite.
I Love My Happy Hair is a delightful story and beautifully illustrated. It has received multiple awards and continues to be a favorite among readers. Children can find themselves encouraged to accept their own unique physical qualities as well as those of their friends. It celebrates diversity and a healthy self-image as well as suggesting kindness and manners.
Holloway’s books can be purchased at Amazon.com.
Her YouTube channel has many examples of her community activities. https://youtube.com/@dr.lindaj.m.holloway8820?si=p0ST28_EX-uyrGub