Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco's grandparents were from Soviet Georgia and the Ukraine. They were great storytellers and were a great influence on Ms. Polacco's books. She also says that they could make small things seem like miracles. Seeing magic in little things is just what an author needs.
Ms. Polacco says that she gets her ideas from just living. She likes to watch people. They give her ideas for stories. She advises young writers to write about things that really happen to them. Good Advice!
In Thunder Cake the weather was an important part of the setting. If you really want to know the weather anywhere in the world visit The Weather Channel's Home Page. There is always something interesting going on some place. It might inspire a story!
Ms. Polacco has a web site (geared toward teachers.)
Here is more information about Patricia Polacco.
Here are books by Patricia Polacco.
This site has great information for teachers and parents about Patricia Polacco.