My secret is out–largely because of a Cubs/Cardinal baseball game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. I’ve written before about not being a ball sports fan, but I go with my family. I usually take my Kindle to read during the game.
Last summer, I was researching Genghis Khan and his Mongolian Empire for the historical setting of Power of the Sky (Book 3 of the Touch the Sky Series due to be published April 25, 2022). I decided to take a book about Genghis Khan with me to read while “watching” the game. My daughter Raleigh (who is a professor) glanced at my book and started laughing.
“That’s a child’s book!” she declared. “I can see where you tried to cross out “History for Kids” on the cover. You use kids’ books as the basis of your research?”
When she finally stopped laughing, I explained. Yes, if it is a historical period that I know little about, I start with quality children’s educational books on the historic time period. This gives me a beginning knowledge base. (All right, so it is a child’s knowledge base). From there, I progress to more challenging historical texts, archaeological texts, maps, articles, monographs, dissertations, etc.
“But Mom, you tried to hide it by crossing out the “History for Kids” part of the title with a permanent marker!” This was followed by more laughter.
“Yes,” I answered, “and this is precisely why I crossed it out. Stop laughing!”
I’m currently researching the history of Ancient Greece, focusing on the Classical Period from 479 BC – 423 BC. And yes, you got it—I’m starting with Greek History books written for children. Don’t laugh. 😊
