Dixon, Ann R. 1954–

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Dixon, Ann R. 1954–

(Ann Renee Dixon)

PERSONAL:

Born February 26, 1954, in Richland, WA; daughter of David S. (an engineer) and Barbara (a homemaker) Dixon; married Walter R. Pudwill (a carpenter), May 30, 1982; children: Linnea C. Pudwill, Noranna N. Dixon. Ethnicity: Caucasian Education: University of Washington, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1976; Southern Connecticut State University, M.L.S., 2007. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, gardening, skiing, non-motorized outdoor recreation.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Willow, AK. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Hoedads, Inc., Eugene, OR, reforestation contractor, 1977-81; freelance writer, Willow, AK, 1981—. Storyteller, 1976—; Willow Public Library, Willow, AK, librarian, 1987-97; Willow Elementary School, Willow, AK, librarian, 2007—.

MEMBER:

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Authors Guild, Authors League of America, Alaska Library Association, Alaska Center for the Book, Phi Beta Kappa.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Included in annual "battle of the books," Alaska Library Association, 2000, for The Blueberry Shoes, 2003, for Winter Is, 2005, and 2007; children's book award, Pacific Northwest Booksellers, for The Sleeping Lady; Parents Guide to Children's Media Award, 1999, and National Outdoor Book Award for children, National Outdoor Book Award Foundation, both for The Blueberry Shoes; Contribution to Literacy in Alaska Award, 2000; cited as notable children's book in the field of social studies, National Council of the Social Studies and Children's Book Council, and Benjamin Franklin Award for Children's Books, Publishers Marketing Association, 2002, both for Alone across the Arctic: One Woman's Epic Journey by Dog Team; Patricia Gallagher Award, Oregon Reading Association, 2005; Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award, Tennessee Library Association, 2007, for Big-Enough Anna: The Little Sled Dog Who Braved the Arctic.

WRITINGS:

(Reteller) How Raven Brought Light to People (Native American legend; juvenile), illustrated by James Watts, Margaret K. McElderry (New York, NY), 1992.

(Reteller) The Sleeping Lady (juvenile), illustrated by Elizabeth Johns, Alaska Northwest Books (Anchorage, AK), 1994.

Merry Birthday, Nora Noël (juvenile), illustrated by Mark Graham, William Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, MI), 1996, redesigned and published as Waiting for Noël: An Advent Story, 2000.

Trick-or-Treat (juvenile), Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

The Blueberry Shoe (juvenile), illustrated by Evon Zerbetz, Alaska Northwest Books (Anchorage, AK), 1999.

(With Pam Flowers) Alone across the Arctic: One Woman's Epic Journey by Dog Team, Alaska Northwest Books (Anchorage, AK), 2001.

Winter Is, illustrated by Mindy Dwyer, Alaska Northwest Books (Anchorage, AK), 2002.

(With Pam Flowers) Big-Enough Anna: The Little Sled Dog Who Braved the Arctic, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, Alaska Northwest Books (Anchorage, AK), 2003.

Work represented in anthologies, including Once upon Ice and Other Frozen Poems, edited by Jane Yolen, Boyds Mills, 1997; Educators as Writers: Publishing for Personal and Professional Development, edited by Carol Smallwood, Peter Lang (New York, NY), 2006; also contributor of a song to the sound recording Sing and Swing with Ladybug, 1999. Contributor to periodicals, including Cricket, Ladybug, Harrowsmith, Library Student Journal, Bookmobiles and Outreach Services, and Country Journal.

SIDELIGHTS:

Ann R. Dixon once told CA: "Stories, nature, and children are the threads that have anchored my life. As a child I was hooked on the combination of fresh air and books by riding my bicycle several miles to the local one-room library. Reading and writing stories were my favorite subjects in school. I spent much of my college time working in or otherwise hanging around libraries. It was there that I discovered ‘formal’ storytelling, as opposed to the informal, family storytelling I'd grown up with. I also rediscovered folktales and children's books. At the same time, while living in a large city I learned that proximity to clean air and water, mountains, trees, birds, dirt, rocks, and wild animals was essential to my soul.

"I began learning about other cultures, first by learning languages, then by traveling. Eventually I settled in Alaska, where nature abounds and numerous cultural influences are at work (and play). As the world shrinks due to increasing opportunities for communication and transportation, I continue to be fascinated with the myriad ways people express their beliefs and imaginations through story.

"These days, the seemingly divergent threads of my life seem to be weaving into a cohesive whole. I live in the woods, with lakes and wildlife and mountains all around. I still ride my bike to the local library. Most of my days are spent either writing stories for children, or telling and reading stories to children in schools and libraries.

"Why do I write? Because I want and need to. When I don't write, an uneasiness settles in, which inevitably develops into full-blown unhappiness. Why do I write for children? Somehow I find it less limiting than writing for adults. I love the frank appraisals and unabashed enthusiasm young readers give. Being able to touch the child-like core of my own existence renews my appreciation of life.

"And so, I write: stories, poems, nonfiction, essays—whatever. The important thing seems to be to write."