Author Finds Love of Reading Growing Up in Amherst

Evangeline Wollmar took an amazing coincidence and turned it into a story to delight children everywhere.

Wollmar published her first children’s book, (The True Story Of) Skylar and Snickers, in September. The story is about a four year old girl named Skylar, who had a dream that she would someday have a guinea pig named Snickers. One day a miracle happens and teaches her that dreams can come true.

She now lives in Maine, but this budding author has never forgotten her days growing up in Amherst.

I talked to Evangeline Wollmar about her life growing up in Amherst, her inspiration and what she is up to next.

Patch: What was the inspiration for your story?

Evangeline: The story is a true story of a dream my daughter had that actually came true. When she was a little girl, she came down with a picture she had drawn of a guinea pig named Snickers. She told me “some day i am going to have one and name it Snickers.” She had a pet die recently, so we went to the ASPCA to find her another one. We went into the small animal room, and the very first cage was a guinea pig with the same color as her drawing, and whose name just happened to be Snickers. We had to adopt him right away.

Patch: How has your upbringing in Amherst influenced your writing?

Evangeline: Amherst is why I love books and why i love to read. When I was in elementary school, there was a great librarian who sparked this love.  She had this great way to encourage children to read. I remember she had a construction paper train track, and every time you read a book, the train would move. It was little things like that which got me into the world of stories. I even remember the books that got me to love reading. It was a great place to grow up.

Patch: How do you go about writing children’s books?

Evangeline: I’ve spent years and years as a kindergarten teacher, and spent those years reading out loud to children. The kids love the repetitive lines and feeling like they are a part of the story. I wrote my own based on that experience.

Patch: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Evangeline: Definitely do it. I never in my life dreamt I would write a book. You just have to have an idea or something you want to share. People told me i wouldn't get published on first try, but by some miracle they accepted my first offer. It is a huge market.

Patch: How is reading important to children?

Evangeline: Working at a preschool has given me a great insight into children. When you read a book to a child, you can see their facial expressions. They just feel like they are inside the story, and everything is new to them. You watch them giggle over the pictures and become absorbed in the story. It is giving them joy. I like looking at things through the eyes of a child, because things are still wonderful to them.

Patch: What are you up to now?

Evangeline: I just finished the first rough draft on my second book. It is a totally new story that I am working on. I am sharing it with my kids and husband, and getting feedback to improve it. I am also looking to visit my hometown at some point with my father, who remembers his time there fondly.

Find (The True Story of) Skylar and Snickers on Amazon.