Interview with Sally Nurss, “Reading Babybug” Author

Backyard asparagus patch in spring.

You probably know Sally Nurss as the author of our monthly accompaniment to Babybug magazine, Reading Babybug, or as the intrepid answerer of parents’ questions for Ask Babybug. We were so excited about the chance to interview Sally and hear her thoughts on education, reading, and the hardy asparagus plant.

Keep an eye out–Sally will be answering reader questions right here on the Babybug Blog in a few weeks!

Babybug: Tell us a little bit about your history with Babybug Magazine (or Cricket Magazine Group).

Sally Nurss: I’ve been writing for the Cricket Magazine Group since 1998, when our first grandson was born. He, his three younger brothers and their cousin in Scotland, have all been avid Babybug readers. Our 18-month-old grandson is still a great fan while the older boys have enjoyed Ladybug, Muse, Click, and Dig.

Sally's grandsons.

What drew you to working with children? Was there a specific moment when you decided to make this your career?

When my oldest daughter was three years old, I enrolled her in a parent cooperative nursery school. The first time I saw the teacher working in that busy, cheerful classroom, I thought, “She’s got the best job in the whole world.” I still believe that, and even though I no longer teach in or direct an early childhood program, I’ve never regretted the decision to work with young children and their parents.

What’s your favorite part of working with children?

I truly savor the opportunity to experience the world anew with them—to notice the smell of the wet windowsill after a rain, to laugh at a funny-sounding word, or to seriously consider whether giraffes have eyebrows. Everything is new. Everything is of interest.

What do you think is the greatest need/issue/problem with education today?

I worry that teachers don’t have the freedom they once had to plan for, and respond to, their students’ individual needs and interests.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My husband and I plan to open a bookstore, Our Town Books, in late April or early May. Right now we’re immersed in getting it ready—doing everything from ordering books to painting walls to putting up shelves to figuring out how to offer e-books on our website. I love visits from my grandchildren, working in my backyard vegetable garden, and, of course, reading.

A visit from Sally's Scottish grandson.

Were you a big reader as a kid? What were your favorite books?

One of the most memorable gifts in my childhood was a membership in a mail order book club. When the books would arrive on summer afternoons, I would haul them up into the branches of a big oak tree and just gloat at how lucky I was: I not only had new books and time to read them, but a leafy, quiet place to do so.

Before that, as a very young child, I was fond of a certain repetitious picture book about a funny little man meeting a funny little woman and walking down a funny little road to a funny little house. My mother used to hide it behind the couch when she couldn’t bear reading it aloud yet again.

Once I learned to read, I discovered Hugh Lofting’s Dr. Dolittle books at the library. I especially liked the author’s illustrations. (Even today, when I see someone with a snub-nose and round face, I’ll think, “Why he looks just like Tommy Stubbins.”) I read and reread all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series. This summer I hope to visit Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri where she wrote them.

If you were a flower, which one would you be?

I’m afraid I’d rather be an asparagus plant— I like its sturdiness, its tall and ferny look (which I don’t have), and its faithfulness in returning spring after spring.

You provide wonderful tips and tricks for parents every month on babybugmagkids.com. If you could leave our readers with one piece of advice, what would it be?

Take time to look until you really see.

February 3, 2011. Interviews, Parenting Tips.