Introduction Since the time she was old enough to hold a crayon Peggy Perry Anderson has been drawing. Since elementary school, she has always wanted to illustrate children’s books. Since 7th grade, she has dreamed of writing books. You could say that books and drawing and words have been and always will be a major part of her life! Except for four years living on Signal Mountain in Tennessee, Peggy is an Okie, born and raised (almost all of her life) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She went to college for two years at Oklahoma Christian College and spent her last two years getting a bachelors degree in art at Tulsa University. She worked as a graphic artist for 16 years.
During that time she got married to Kurt and had three fantastic children; one boy and two girls. She continued submitting manuscripts to publishers and in 1985, she got her first children’s book published: Time for Bed the Babysitter Said.
She has illustrated many other authors’ books including the Blue Bug series by Virginia Poulet and two books by her inspiration and mentor, Bessie Heck. Having written and illustrated nine of her own stories, it is definitely one on her favorite things to do. And she does her job well because in 1989 she was awarded The Governor of Oklahoma State of Excellence Award for her work on children’s books.
Another one of her favorite things to do is volunteer at a therapy horse riding ranch. You can read about it in her book, We Go in a Circle. It became a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award finalist.
For six years she was an art teacher at an elementary school in Tulsa. She learned more than a lot there! The children and their artwork has inspired her ever since. Her hat is off to teachers! She knows that teaching isn't an easy job although many of the experiences of teaching are rewarding beyond words.
She now has one grandson and one granddaughter. Besides spending time with them, she enjoys playing the guitar, growing vegetables in her garden, drawing, and writing. Her youngest daughter is still at home and she has three dogs, two fish and five geckos. She hopes you enjoy her fun-filled books! And wants everyone to remember to keep dreaming your dreams because they can come true!
Books Peggy has many books that she has both written and illustrated and some that she has illustrated for other authors. She is the winner of the Governor of Oklahoma State Excellence Award in 1989. Her picture books continue to get rave reviews, and several been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award. Scroll down to see her book covers.
Speaking Information
With a BA in Art from Tulsa University, Peggy taught art in a Tulsa elementary school, worked as a graphic designer for 16 years, and now creates wonderful books for students to read in her Tulsa studio. She enjoys speaking to students in elementary school, grades K-5th. Students are invited to join Peggy as she teaches them to draw, throwing in tips about how an idea becomes a book. Kids will have so much fun, they won't even realize they're learning about writing, characters, emotions, steps of publishing a book, and how printing is like "magic." You'll love her fun, interactive session, guaranteed to bring smiles and learning! Speaking Information Peggy speaks to schools spreading the word that it's a great thing to write and draw. She usually speaks to elementary age students in kindergarten through fifth grade but will speak to older students as well. Her specialty is drawing with the students and sharing how an idea becomes a book. Her session lasts 45 - 50 minutes depending on the grade level. Group size is 20-50 but she can work with as many as 100 students!
