John Philip Duck

Patricia Ann Barber was born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1944. She spent her early childhood on her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan, a period she describes as magical. Her grandmother’s death in 1949 marked a move away from Michigan, but the influence of her grandparents remained a significant inspiration throughout her life, often reflected in her stories featuring young people interacting with the elderly.

Her parents divorced when she was three, leading to her spending school years with her mother and summers with her father. Both sets of grandparents doted on her, fostering a deep respect for elders and a curiosity about their life experiences, which she believes prepared her for her own parents’ later years. The farm in Union City held a special place in her heart, associated with wonderful stories and a meteorite that fell into their yard, which later became their family headstone.

After leaving the farm, she lived in Coral Gables, Florida, for nearly three years before moving to Oakland, California. She resided there for most of her youth and adulthood in the diverse Rockridge District, appreciating the varied backgrounds of her neighbors. In Oakland, she met her lifelong best friend, Stewart Grinnell Washington.

Patricia struggled with reading and math in elementary school, not learning to read until she was almost fourteen. She was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability that made her feel different. However, a supportive teacher helped her overcome these challenges, leading her to understand that having a learning disability doesn’t equate to being unintelligent. She believes many learning-disabled children are geniuses who simply learn differently.

She pursued higher education, earning a Ph.D. in Art History after majoring in Fine Art. She worked as a restorer of ancient art for museums before becoming a mother to Steven and Traci.

Patricia began writing children’s books at the age of 41. Art had always been a part of her life, with drawing, painting, and sculpture being innate talents, possibly linked to her dyslexia. Her writing emerged from a family background rich in storytelling from Russian, Ukrainian, and Irish heritage, as well as from her extended family in Louisiana. Growing up hearing stories, rather than constantly seeing them visually, honed her own storytelling abilities.

She reflects on a fulfilling career as a children’s book author and illustrator, attributing her fertile imagination to her storytelling upbringing and the absence of television in her childhood. She emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s inner voice, which can be drowned out by excessive screen time.

Having returned to Union City, Michigan, she plans to host writing seminars, storytelling festivals, and other events celebrating children’s literature.

Patricia Polacco, originally Patricia Ann Barber, grew up in both California and Michigan, with her family members being described as exceptional storytellers. She pursued her education in the United States and Australia, obtaining an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in Art History, with a specialization in Russian and Greek painting and iconography. She has worked as a museum consultant on icon restoration and has traveled extensively in Russia and other former Soviet republics, supporting programs that foster Russo-American understanding. She is also involved in U.S. inner-city projects promoting conflict resolution, art, and literacy. Patricia Polacco, the mother of a grown son and daughter, currently resides in Michigan.

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