About the Author
The “Nonny” of this book, Connie Carlisle Polley, is a mother, grandmother, and former public and private school teacher of French and Spanish. For many years she also directed and coordinated children’s music programs at her church in Louisville, Kentucky. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Louisville, and did graduate studies at U of L and also at the University of Kentucky in the departments of foreign language and education. In addition to writing children’s books, she is a poet, songwriter, an essayist/inspirational writer, and a blogger. She brings to this writing a wealth of experience with children.
About the Illustrator
The author’s artist collaborator, Courtney Coriell Williams, also lives in Louisville and has thus been able to meet frequently and work closely with Ms. Polley. They share a vision of a youngster who “learns by doing,” and always feels loved by his grandmother, especially on those days when he spends quantity and quality time at her house on what he and Nonny call “Nonny Days.”
Ms. Williams’ art has a distinctive style. She draws free-hand sketches which she paints with gouache, a kind of watercolor paint with added ingredients to make it more opaque than watercolors alone. Her art for the Nonny Series is a balance between realistic depiction and stylized illustration. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Indiana University and her Master of Arts in Teaching Degree from the University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky). She has experience giving art lessons in the art studio environment and currently is teaching in the local public-school system.
Nonny Day Series 