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Former teacher Carrie VanAlstine publishes children’s book with science lesson

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Inside their Noblesville home, Carrie VanAlstine sits on the floor in front of her children’s bookcase with her 4-year-old daughter, Lyla, on her lap. The two stare at the pages as Carrie reads the story aloud. It’s one they both know by heart and is very personal to them. In Carrie’s hands is “Frizzy Izzy: YELP!,” her first published children’s book.

“It’s kind of like my third kid,” VanAlstine said.

VanAlstine said her original story was started in 2005, and she began the publishing process in 2008.

“I didn’t realize how long it takes,” she said.

The idea for the book started years ago when VanAlstine was teaching a zoology class at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

“It was an assignment given to the students during the endangered species section,” she explained. “If I was going to make them do it, I needed to do it as well.”

Book CoverThe plot

Koda needs a flower to feed his cubs, but what does he do when his flowers have vanished?  After sneaking flowers from the neighbors makes them angry, he calls on Frizzy Izzy to help create peace between them. Sprinkled with lessons in zoology, horticulture and geography, this rhythmic story inspires and reminds us to be kind to our world and those we share it with.

“Frizzy Izzy: YELP!” was written by Carrie VanAlstine and illustrated by Todd Dysert. The book is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AuthorHouse Web sites.

Throughout the years, VanAlstine referred to the sample and became attached to its characters.

“I had a passion of giving the animals a voice,” she said. “I don’t think people are bad. They just don’t know what they are doing. Animals are trying to survive and make a better place for their offspring. Once I had a daughter I had more compassion to their situation.”

VanAlstine credits her students for providing feedback and ideas for the story.

“They helped out by telling me they liked this part or add this from your talk in our class,” she said. “I miss how much they taught me. I’d love to go back to teaching when my children are older.”

VanAlstine’s last day of teaching was Feb. 27, 2008. Lyla was born the next day on Feb. 28.

“I left on an angry note. I had a lesson on octopuses I was really looking forward to giving,” she said. “I had great, great kids and I really loved what I was doing.”

Meet Carrie VanAlstine

Age: 34

Birthplace: Wabash, Ind.

Residence: Noblesville

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Indianapolis

Hobbies: Ballet dancing, photography, teaching and being a mother

Family: Husband, Ben; daughter, Lyla, 4; and son, Levi, 2

Favorite children’s book as a kid: “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss

Favorite children’s book to read to her kids: “Big Red Barn” by Margaret Wise Brown

Personal quote: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Christopher Robin (A.A. Milne)

Utilizing her teaching background in zoology, biology and Earth and space science, VanAlstine is condensing science lessons into a child-friendly size that rhymes.

“I’m not one who craves attention, but I want to bring attention to a cause,” she said.

In addition to providing a voice, writing provided a personal challenge to VanAlstine, who was told by a former teacher that she was a poor writer. She saw the opportunity to “face a demon” and grow as a person.

“I told myself I’m going to write something – face this demon eye to eye and just do it,” she said.

When VanAlstine received her first published copy of “Frizzy Izzy: YELP!,” 30 colorful pages about a Grey Wolf family, she was scared.

“I thought it would be exciting, but it wasn’t,” she said. “It was taking me out of my comfort zone, but I feel passionate about it.”

The true test came when VanAlstine read the story for the first time to Lyla.

“I definitely cried,” she said recalling the day. “My daughter really enjoyed it and got into it. The next day she began to talk about nature facts. It felt like such a success because she learned from that.”

Sprinkled with lessons in zoology, horticulture and geography this rhythmic story inspires and reminds us to be kind to our world and those we share it with. The book was illustrated by Todd Dysert, a family friend and tattoo artist.

“It’s a very personal piece of work to me,” she said. “If funding allows, I’d like to continue the series.”

VanAlstine already has two more stories written – one featuring chinchillas and the other featuring polar bears.

“They need a little refinement, but the stories are there,” she said.

“Frizzy Izzy: YELP!,” is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AuthorHouse Web sites.


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