I’ve discovered the secret to time travel. Yes, it’s true. And of course, I’m telling all of you school librarians and media specialists about it first, because you’re my favorite. (Please hold while I wipe the spot of brown off my nose.)

The secret is just one phrase that, when said aloud, will immediately transport you into the past. Once there, you will probably feel a variety of emotions. Maybe a sense of anticipation and excitement. Maybe even stress or fear. Either way, you’re going to have to keep your cool, because your entire social status will be determined by this one moment in time. (No pressure.)

The secret phrase is: show-and-tell.

 

 

Did it work? (Time travel is finicky after all and not all secret phrases work for everyone.)

My own time travel adventures inspired my second picture book TO CATCH A GHOST. As I explored show-and-tell as an inciting incident for my main character Sam, I was transported back to Little Me.

 

Throughout my childhood, I struggled to make friends and often felt like I was an oddball navigating a set of social rules that no one would say out loud. These “rules” were even more confusing at home after my mom got remarried and our two families blended. My sister and I suddenly had five more siblings, and we were SO excited. But things were complicated, and for many understandable reasons, my new step siblings were not quite as excited about the big change.

Even though I was now surrounded by a large family of seven kids, I often felt lonely and rejected. As a result, I tried even harder to make friends at school. Admittedly, desperation wasn’t the best strategy, and though I found a few friends along the way, I still felt like an outsider looking in. I longed for connection and community.

Luckily, I had great librarians and teachers around me, because what I lacked in my personal life, I was offered in books. They transported me to another time and space where I felt loved, accepted, and understood. I collected them – asked for them every birthday. Especially picture books as they were the first place I felt truly at home.

Eventually, I moved away to college and found English major friends who loved books as much as I did. Due to space, I had to box up my book collection and leave it behind. I forgot about it for many years as I navigated big questions like, “What do I want to do with my life? What is my voice, and where does it fit?” It was a confusing time, and though I found great ways to provide financially for myself, something was missing.

Until…

My mom called and said, “Rachel, I’m clearing out my garage; would you come get your boxes?”

I got my butt over there, opened up a few, and found…my forgotten picture book collection. As I flipped through each story, I finally realized that someone made these books. Which meant that maybe, just maybe, I could make these books!

So I tried. I joined SCBWI, participated in writing and illustration classes, put together portfolios and dummies, revised (and revised and revised), and submitted my work. There were rejections. There were celebrations. And eventually, there were books.

The act of trying not only gave me a career I love with all my heart, it also gave me something Little Rachel always wanted: community. I connected with creators, booksellers, librarians, educators, and readers. As I embraced my oddball voice on the page, I found love and acceptance off the page too. The only thing I wished was that Little Rachel could time travel to the future to witness it.

Eventually I began working on TO CATCH A GHOST which gave me a space to explore my childhood feelings of rejection and loneliness using a humorous lens. It also gave me a way to express my gratitude for the incredible relationships I found along the way; the final end papers include a chalkboard full of ghosts, each one representing someone who helped me as I made the book.

What started as a small way to say thank you became a reminder to me that, when I was ready to show-and-tell my true self, people showed up for me. And isn’t showing up for each other what show-and-tell is really about?

So even though Little Rachel can’t travel through time to see her future community, she’ll keep trying to catch that ghost anyway. Because deep down she believes that, one day, she will. And when she does, she’ll feel honored to meet you. After all, you’re her favorite; you gave her the books that gave her a beautiful life.

Thank you for your work.