When a tsunami wreaked havoc on Indonesia two years ago, the tragedy struck home. I, too, live in a disaster-prone community. Tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions are all highly plausible occurrences. I wanted to do something to ensure that if a natural disaster struck my community, families would be prepared. I looked for materials that would instruct young children on what to do and what to expect in an emergency. I checked the library, wondering if there were any storybooks about natural disasters, but found none. Understanding what was happening would help alleviate the stress that children would experience.

Determined to create something to instruct children, I decided that a storybook would be the best route. Children would be interested because the books would have actual stories, about kids like them, not just facts. Because parents would be reading these books to their children, they would learn as well. I began to research, and then write, my first book. Several months later, I finished Heidi and the Tsunami, complete with full pastel illustrations. I included a “Tips for Parents” page and a “Fun Facts” page. I contacted my Borough Office of Emergency Management, and asked if they would be interested in helping to publish my book. I was thrilled when they replied that they loved my book and would help to solicit funds for printing! Meanwhile, I began work on my second and third books in the series, Molly and the Earthquake and James and the Volcano.

The first printing of Heidi and the Tsunami was for 1,000 books, and they were given to every kindergartner and public library on the Kenai Peninsula, an area of 25,000 square miles. Seeing my books with glossy pages and saddle-stitch bindings was one of the coolest moments of my life. Throughout the year, a combination of corporate sponsors and local, state, and federal funding accumulated, allowing the other two books to be printed, as well as reprints of Heidi and the Tsunami. The Borough Office of Emergency Management requested that I consider writing a book on wildfires, so I spent the first month of summer vacation researching, writing, and illustrating Spencer and the Wildfire. As of last August, 29,000 copies of my books have been printed. Each elementary teacher in our school district was given a set of my four books for use in the classroom. In addition, sponsors of my books are distributing copies to communities throughout my state. Speaking at my town’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, at a school board meeting, and to peers at a state student government conference have all helped to raise awareness of the need for disaster preparedness. This April, I traveled to Oregon to speak at the Soroptimist conference and have received many requests for my books. I sent enough books for one of Oregon’s senators to distribute copies to every elementary school in her district. It has been amazing to watch my project grow. Some of the most rewarding experiences occur when I travel to different elementary classrooms and preschools and talk to the kids about disaster preparedness. try to excite them about volunteering in the community and teach them to never doubt their potential to accomplish great things.