Zolkower, Edie Stoltz 1959–

Personal

Born 1959, in Hartford, CT; daughter of Jerome and Phyllis Stoltz; married Richard Zolkower; children: Ben. Education: University of Florida, B.A. (psychology). Religion: Jewish.

Addresses

Home—Nashville, TN. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Kar-Ben Publishing, 11430 Strand Dr., No. 2, Rockville, MD 20852-4371. E-mail—[email protected].

Career

Writer. Former preschool teacher; Metro-Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN, former substitute teacher; Congregation Ohabai Sholom, Nashville, teacher.

Awards, Honors

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Magazine Merit Honor certificate, 2004; Notable Children's Book of Jewish Content designation, Association of Jewish Libraries, 2006, for It's Tu B'Shevat.

Writings

Too Many Cooks: A Passover Parable, illustrated by Shauna Mooney Kawasaki, Kar-Ben Copies (Rockville, MD), 2000.

It's Tu B'Shevat, Kar-Ben Publishing (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Contributor of fiction and nonfiction to periodicals, including Wee Ones, Guideposts for Kids, Nature Friend, Confetti, SIRS/Proquest, On the Line, Cat Fancy, and Young Judaean.

Sidelights

Edie Stoltz Zolkower told SATA: "Being a writer was the last thing on my mind as a child. Instead, I was consumed with music and playing the flute. By the time I was in high school, I was in many different performing groups at my high school and state-wide. Clearly, I was on a path to become a famous flute soloist. Writing was an unpleasant chore for me and I dreaded having to write essays and papers for school. My mom was really my first editor, patiently working with me as I cried through many of my assignments.

"Although I struggled with writing, reading was different. I loved to read, starting with the comics in the daily newspaper. (I still read those first thing everyday.) After the comics, I'd move on to 'Dear Abby,' followed by the back of my cereal box. Favorite books were the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and anything and everything by Beverly Cleary. One summer, I actually won a summer reading contest sponsored by my hometown library by reading all of Beverly Cleary's 'Beezus and Ramona' books.

"My path to becoming a published author was not straightforward. After a year and a half in music school I realized I didn't want to become a professional flautist. Instead I began singing, playing the guitar and piano and writing pop songs for many years. I did this through college and even sang in some nightclubs. My move to Nashville came after submitting several demo tapes of my music to publishers. After settling in Nashville, I signed a contract for one of my songs with a publishing company. Unfortunately nothing ever came of that and the song was never recorded. During this time my husband and I turned our attentions to family life and raising our son, Ben. When Ben was in elementary school, I began to substitute teach at his school. As a parent and teacher, I had the opportunity to read many wonderful children's books. Inspired, I began to write my own stories for children and soon became brave enough to submit them to publishers. The first story I ever wrote was titled 'Humphrey's New Home.' After many rejections, the story finally found a home years later in the January, 2003 issue of Wee Ones online.

"Although I enjoy writing in many different styles, writing stories in rhyme remains my favorite. I find my musical training and songwriting experiences to be very helpful since I am able to hear the rhythm in the rhymes I create.

"Being a good writer is an important skill for everyone, no matter what their profession. Honing your reading skills will improve your writing. Although there are many things competing for your attention, make time every day to read a book, magazine or newspaper. Seek out books on topics that fit your interests, then challenge yourself by reading books on unfamiliar subjects."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Publishers Weekly, April 10, 2000, review of Too Many Cooks: A Passover Parable, p. 96.

School Library Journal, December, 2000, Leslie Millrod, review of Too Many Cooks, p. 129; November, 2005, Rachel Kamin, review of It's Tu B'Shevat, p. 97.