Beyond the Page: Kelly Starling Lyons
This week we are excited to feature Kelly Starling Lyons, author of Going Down Home with Daddy (Peachtree Publishers, April 2019). Get to know her through fun questions below.
What’s your favorite (current or all-time) movie, dessert, and adult book?
All-time favorite movie – Mahogany
All-time favorite dessert – Strawberry Shortcake
All-time favorite adult book – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
What is your zodiac sign? Which zodiac sign personality trait do you relate to most and least?
I’m a Cancer. I’m guided by my heart, creative, sentimental, sensitive and family-focused. The traits I least relate to are being moody and pessimistic. I’m an optimist and always keep hope in my heart.
What did you want to be growing up?
Growing up, I wanted to be a scientist, teacher, or a writer. My Jada Jones chapter book series stars a fourth grader who loves science, just like I did. Through author visits and residencies, I get to teach kids about the writing process and encourage them to tell their own stories.
Tell us one fun insider-fact about Going Down Home with Daddy.
The setting of Going Down Home with Daddy was inspired by the home place of my husband’s family—Colquitt, GA. His grandma used to make mayhaw jelly which is mentioned in the book. Colquitt hosts a National Mayhaw Festival each year. Another fun fact: The characters Pa and Granny are tributes to my husband’s grandparents who owned hundreds of acres and were a farmer and teacher just like in the book.
Kelly Starling Lyons
Kelly Starling Lyons is a former journalist and the author of numerous books for young readers including One More Dino on the Floor, Hope’s Gift, Ellen’s Broom, and the Jada Jones series.
