P. J. Cowan

Pricilla Jean Cowan
Born	Pricilla Jean Ball December 2, 1933 (1933-12-02) (age 77)
Pen name	P. J. Cowan
storiesbypj.com

P. J. Cowan (Pricilla Jean Cowan) is an American author best known for her work in children’s literature. Born Pricilla Jean Ball on December 2, 1933 in a log cabin in the county of Rio Grande, in Colorado Mountains,^[1] she is the author of 15 books which are available worldwide. Her works include: The Adventures of Neddy and Teddy Fairy, What Do You Feed an Imaginary Dragon? and PJ’s Bedtime Stories. Her first book, Michael O’Brian and the Magic Hat was released in 2008.^[2]

Early life

The thirties were depression years and there was no money for books. Cowan’s mother would make up stories to entertain her two daughters. From age three until age nine, Cowan lived at Sacred Heart Orphanage and Boarding School in Pueblo Colorado, where she struggled with dyslexia, which prevented her from being able to read. As the nuns read to the class, she memorized the stories she liked until she knew them by heart.^[3] These experiences gave her a lasting love of the art of storytelling.

Writing career

Cowan published her first book, Michael O’Brian and the Magic Hat at the age of 74.^[4] She had created the story to entertain her great-grandchildren and was encouraged by the response that it got as she began to share the story publicly. The book received favorable reviews and so she began to write and publish more books. To date, she has published 15 children’s books, containing 31 stories.

Several of her books, including Silly Little Stories ^[5] have been illustrated by Northwest artist Jasen Strong.

Charity

In 2009, Cowan began donating copies of her books to young children in homeless shelters, day care and children’s organizations in Oregon, Utah, Colorado and California.^[6]

References

1. ^ http://storiesbypj.com/about.html/
2. ^ http://www.griffieworld.com/2010/11/review-42-giggle-grump-gurgle-by-pj-cowan/
3. ^ http://storiesbypj.com/about.html/
4. ^ http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=46794)
5. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Silly-Little-Stories-ebook/dp/B0058PEIR8
6. ^ http://storiesbypj.com/about.html/

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Name	Cowan, P. J.
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Date of birth	December 2, 1933
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