Carlene Meredith Cogliati was born in the Mid-west into a family of artists, writers, and musicians. She began following in those footsteps at a young age and soon fell in love with theatre as well. A fourth generation teacher, she has always been delighted by working with children, especially in helping them expand their world, their sense of self, and their ability to express themselves.
“I have always been a country girl at heart and now enjoy writing, painting and living with my husband and critters in the wooded coastal range of Northern California, where I have turned my endeavors to two things I have always loved: writing for children and painting for everyone.
I truly enjoy having some control over the world I am creating for others while writing and painting. The hardest part is doing that world justice with its beauty and flaws, because reality has flaws as well as beauty and ignoring either creates something fake, and that touches no one.
My paintings are also inspired by the real world around me. I love the outdoors and the peace that I find there. One of my favorite things is to go out early in the morning; it is so fresh and quiet, everything sparkling with dewdrops, the layers of mist curtaining the surrounding hills and forest. I want to create scenes, whether from my garden or across the country, that will entice viewers to step through the frame for a visit; to trail their fingers through the flowers or relax with their feet in the water, taking in a refreshing breath of air. Thank you for visiting my world.”
Everything I have written has been inspired by a real event or situation that I feel needs addressing because it is something that people, children in particular, are dealing with. Sometimes those situations are funny or joyful, sometimes puzzling or painful or embarrassing, but it is all real and worth telling. When readers see something of themselves in a story it is a very good thing and helps them know they are not alone.
‘To Durchhalten’ is written as a 6th grader’s journal during a particularly formative year. I feel very strongly about a story unfolding for the reader and letting them take the journey with the characters, so I don’t want to say anything specific about the core content, especially with ‘To Durchhalten.’ I will say I moved to the Pacific North-west in 1982 to earn my MFA, and fell in love with the area and my husband. I now enjoy the remote beauty of the woods and hills close to a very small and wonderful country school, which is near and dear to my heart and is the inspiration for ‘To Durchhalten’s setting.
‘Stretch & Sarah,’ is particularly close to my heart as it is based on my own family. Years ago, while visiting a favorite great aunt (who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s) I found a picture of my aunt when she was a very little girl; she looked like my own young daughter. I knew immediately there was an important story to tell, but was not ready to tackle it at that time. I collected and shaped family stories, and grew as a writer. I hope I have done the story justice.
As Our Baby Grows. It’s Rachael’s first birthday and she learns she is going to be a big sister. Share a year as she enjoys the changing seasons and the changes with the growing baby. She then gets to enjoy being a big sister as we come full circle, back to her birthday. This delicately illustrated picture book is ideal for expectant siblings, as they make their own journey towards being a big sister or brother. As Our Baby Grows, is divided into small monthly sections geared for short attention spans. Each month ends with a little something to help them identify with the baby.
