Ann Rousseau Smith
Ann Rousseau Smith
Children's Author and Poet
About Ann
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Northridge, a suburb of the City of Los Angeles, located in the sunny San Fernando Valley. Neighbors had orange trees in their yards, left over from when the valley was full of citrus groves. I grew up with three sisters and one brother. I rode my bicycle to school, either with a friend or with one of my sisters. If it rained, my mom would take us in the car. My dad often took us to museums, a hobby he shared with us.
Why do you write poetry?
I fell in love with poetry as an adult. In my thirties, I felt a need to further pursue my creative interests. I wasn't drawing and illustrating as much as I felt I should, so I redirected my efforts toward writing. I chose poetry as a way to start. In poetry, every word needs to count. You need to communicate your thoughts in a very short amount of space. I love structure. I was hooked. I do write prose from time to time, but poetry feels right. You can say anything and everything in a poem.
What have you written?
I have had poems published in children's magazines and several anthologies, including two collections for the I Can Read! series for HarperCollins.
Where do you find your inspirations?
I find them everywhere! When I travel to the beach or visit the zoo. When I watch people at the mall or interact with students at the middle school. When I observe the hummingbirds in my front yard or chase the chickens in my back yard. Rain, wind, insects, sounds of birds in the trees, or shouts from the local high school all fill me with ideas. I also read, read, read, and I write, explore, experiment.