Author Spotlight: Kimberly A. Hemmings

Kimberly A. Hemmings has been an elementary educator for twenty years. She has taught children in all elementary grades, ranging from pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade. The combination of her teaching experience and her passion for reading, led her to become an author of children’s literature.

Kimberly has always had a passion for reading, ever since she was a child and loved the magical way books could expand her imagination, and take her to places far, far away. Her favorite books to read as a child were rhyming books. Her mother also loved rhyme and often made up rhyming chants and songs that she would sing daily to her and her sister. Kimberly’s love of rhyme and reading followed her into adulthood.

As an adult, she grew to love writing as well, her favorite being writing in rhyme.  She finally decided to share her passion of both writing and traveling by creating the Ace and Grace Travel Book series. She received inspiration for these stories from her numerous international travels. She has a passion for learning about and experiencing other cultures and is excited to share this passion with others. The new author currently lives in the United States, but has lived abroad for several years, and has spent extended time in various countries all around the world.

Kimberly holds a M.Ed. Degree in Early Childhood Education, received National Board Certification, and has certifications in Elementary Leadership and Administration, as well as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She was also the recipient of the Fulbright Scholar Award, which included a six-week educational trip to Ghana, West Africa, where she taught local students and provided professional development training for teachers. Travel through the mind of today’s author spotlight below. 

 Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Kimberly, Kimberly?

Kimberly: My swagher can be described as being easy going and care-free. I love to live life to the fullest and am always looking for the next adventure. What makes Kimberly, Kimberly is the fact that I am authentic, and receive my joy from teaching, motivating, and encouraging others.

Fancy: So what inspired the Ace and Grace Travel Book series?

Kimberly: Since my childhood, reading and writing have always been a passion of mine. I always was fascinated with the magical way that books could instantly take you to places far away. As an adult, my passion for reading and writing continued, along with my passion for traveling internationally. Therefore, I decided to combine my love of these three things and created the Ace and Grace Travel Series.

Fancy: Tell us about the Ace and Grace Travel Book Series.

Kimberly: Each book in the Ace and Grace Travel Books series focuses on a different country and is educational, entertaining, and combines both fact and fiction, using a fun, rhyming text. In each book, Ace, Grace, and Skylar the Flying Suitcase, visit actual sites, enjoy authentic foods, dance to the rhythms, and meet wonderful people in the countries they visit. The books are engaging, instill a thirst for travel, while also teaching important life lessons.

Fancy: Do you think it’s important for children to experience other cultures? If so, why?

Kimberly: I think it’s extremely important for children to experience other cultures. The world in which we live is a melting pot and is inclusive of people from various cultures from all over the world. Learning about, and experiencing other cultures helps to build appreciation, tolerance, and a love for diversity.                   

Fancy: I know you like rhyme, so is your book written in rhyming format or will future books be written in rhyme?

Kimberly: Yes, I definitely love rhyme. I attribute this love of rhyme to my mother. Growing up, she would always make up rhyming chants and songs that she would sing to my sister and me. These rhyming tunes have followed me into adulthood, and I find myself doing the same with my two children. I have had a passion for reading since I was a child, and often gravitated to rhyming books. I think rhyming books are fun, catchy, and provide children with various phonetic skills that will aide them in reading. I also love the rhythmical beat to them, and have an awesome time reading them to children, and hearing them chime in with me as I’m reading. So, yes!  All future books in this particular travel series will be in rhyming format.

Fancy: I read that Jamaica was chosen as Ace and Grace’s first destination, because you have ties there. Are your parents Jamaican?

Kimberly: My parents aren’t Jamaican, but my husband’s family is. My father-in-law currently lives in Jamaica. My family has traveled to Jamaica numerous times, each visit, spending approximately a month there. When there, we never stay in one place and love spending time in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Montego Bay, and my favorite city, Negril.  I consider myself an honorary Jamaican and feel as though Jamaica is my second home. I love the people, the music, the beautiful beaches, and of course the food! No other place has a vibe quite like Jamaica. It was only fitting that Jamaica be the first destination in the series.

Fancy: What do you hope your readers will gain from your books?

Kimberly: First and foremost, I hope readers will enjoy the overall story in addition to the vivid, eye catching illustrations that help the characters and story as a whole come to life. While my books are entertaining storybooks, they also have huge educational components to them. They all have a moral and a lesson that children can apply to their lives. As an educator, I view all books as learning tools. The Ace and Grace Travel Books contain extra resources in the back including: a glossary, map of the country, reading comprehension questions, discussion questions, and delicious recipes inspired by the specific countries. While it’s important for children to read for pleasure, I think it’s equally as important to use books as educational resources as well. Parents, teachers, and librarians have been thrilled with the abundance of skills and resources included in my book. I want parents and students to know that the world in which we live is made up of many wonderful people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I want to expand their knowledge beyond their own town, city, state, and country.  I want them to know there’s a big, beautiful world waiting for them to explore. It is my hopes that my series will teach my readers about other countries but also instill a thirst for travel. I realize that everyone does not have the means to travel via plane. However, they can still soar and explore.   

As my dedication in the front of my first book reads:

To all the children of the world,

You can travel by just reading a book.

Explore the world! Take a look!

Fancy: Where can your book be found?

Kimberly: My book can be found on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com and is available in paperback and hardcover. Soon, it will be available on my website, agtravelbooks.com. When purchased on my website, customers will have the option of purchasing an autographed copy.

Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Kimberly: I’m very excited about several upcoming projects. The most recent will be the release of my second book, Mother! Mother! Where’s My Color? It’s the companion book to Ace, Grace, and the Flying Suitcase Visit Jamaica.  This book is a rhyming storybook, that teaches colors through the natural landscapes of Jamaica.  While it is a book of colors, it is also has a bigger theme of family, friends, and loving who you are.

Soon after this release, will be the release of the Ace, Grace, and the Flying Suitcase Visit Kenya. The companion book to this book will follow.

I’ll also be participating in various book festivals across the country, as well as conducting author visits and writing workshops in elementary schools.

Follow and connect with Kimberly below.

Website: www.agtravelbooks.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agtravelbooks/   (Ace and Grace Travel Books)

Instagram: www.instagram.com/aceandgracetravelbooks/    (@aceandgracetravelbooks)