2023 » Author Profiles

I am a writer of Children’s and Young Adult books. I received my MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and am an active member of SCBWI. I am currently represented by Stephen Fraser of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Learn more at: https://jennifersommer.weebly.com/

Frances Smith Strickland brings to The Little Girl Who Grew Up To Be Governor the perspective of an educational psychologist who believes that the clues to meaningful life work are found in a person’s early childhood traits.

Frances was born and reared on a farm in Simpsonville, Kentucky.  She received a B.S. degree in education from Murray State University, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Kentucky.  Prior to writing this book, she authored a screening test for children entering kindergarten.  Most of her professional life has been spent in public education where she tried to help children with learning problems succeed in the learning environment.

Frances married a fellow psychologist, Ted Strickland, and moved to Ohio.  When he entered politics, she left her field of education for a time, and became first Chief-of-Staff.  After 12 years in the Congress, Ted was elected as Governor of Ohio and Frances became First Lady.  In this role, her attention and energy was focused on children and families.  She also worked with non-profits to broaden the scope of education by initiating the Governor’s Institute on Creativity and Innovation in Public Education.

The first edition of The Little Girl Who Grew Up To Be Governor was published in 1991.  Frances wanted to document for the children of Kentucky—especially the girls—that women make wonderful leaders, and that they start out in life just like most little girls do.  She wanted them to know that women can accomplish big dreams and how one woman—against all odds— made that happen.  Thirty years later, as a resident of Ohio, she revised the book to explain in developmentally appropriate language more detail about how the political process works and the important role of government in improving the lives of everyone than was true in the original publication.

Now retired, Frances is focused on joining with others who are concerned that the mood of our country has shifted dangerously away from the collective good and community well-being.  Using simple stories, she wants this read-aloud book to remind children that while times and circumstances always change, the need to treat each other fairly and to share never changes.