Her pen name is Sunshine, and she acts just like a sponge.
Cori "Sunshine" Stiner, a seasoned library visitor, has been soaking up reading, writing and illustrating since age 2. Her first book, "Silly Sentences ABC," teaches kids more than just the letters of the alphabet.
In kindergarten, coloring inside the lines was no problem for Stiner.
At age 10, she had her own art show.
At 13, she won her first poetry contest, and now at 14, she has written a self-published book. She reads from it to children at local libraries. Public speaking is no worry for Stiner - it is just another one of her many professional traits.
With her unique style, she regales children with tales of roller-skating chickens and singing lemons. Her book illustrates the ABCs while using difficult words to challenge young readers and encourage development of their vocabulary.
She also incorporates stylistic devices, especially alliteration and personification, making her book valuable to older children as well.
"I like to encourage kids to read and write," she said, noting that's a big motivation for her work. "I love being able to illustrate and write and being able to express myself that way. A lot of people don't know how to express themselves, but being a writer I can."
FINDING INSPIRATION
When she was 7, Stiner wrote her first story, "The Flower Who Had No Friends," which followed the life cycle of a plant. Science is another interest of hers, and she often incorporates it into both her poetry and stories.
Her mother noticed her drawing a picture of ladybugs when she was in a high chair at age 2. As a younger child, Stiner collected bugs and worms, and she has visited Washington State University's Department of Entomology. Science continues to be a hobby, contributing to the characters she loves to draw.
Although she often writes for pure entertainment and joy, Stiner does stick to a writing process.
"Sometimes I free-write by making a list of what I want to happen and the characters I want, and other times I will just write it out," she said.
Stiner cites as inspiration her favorite author, J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of children's novels. As a toddler she loved Dr. Seuss and Richard Scary.
She developed a love of cartoons by reading "Calvin and Hobbes."
Her list of inspirational authors continues to grow with each book she picks up.
"If I finish reading a book and I really liked it, it inspires me," Stiner explained.
Her images bring cheerleading bananas and little sand people to life. From an apple who eats asparagus to zucchinis and zany zebras, "Silly Sentences ABC" always incorporates Stiner's interests.
She finds inspiration from real life, as well: her pets and the interesting characters she meets in Seattle. The humor and vibrant colors she uses mirror what she sees and observes. Her mother says she has a world of her own.
SHARING WITH OTHERS
Stiner's book is dedicated to her mother, relatives and friends. She explained, "My mom encouraged the passion of reading - that's why I like reading and writing."
She works daily on her stories, in addition to her heavy load of schoolwork.
To make her talent accessible to the public, her mother, Rebecca Stiner, turned to self-publishing, selling her daughter's book over the Internet.
"Little kids love this stuff," Re-becca noted with the published book in front of her. She hopes after continued marketing efforts a major publisher will take notice.
The younger Stiner's family is proud of her work, but she often leaves them in suspense. "I never let them see any work in progress!" she said firmly.
[[In-content Ad]]
