Published: May 15, 2008 01:15 am         

Gloria Houston shares her love of writing with A&M-Commerce

COMMERCE — Dr. Gloria Houston was 8 years old and a third grader when she wrote her first book.

Today she is an internationally recognized author of many well known award-winning children's books that have been named to Smithsonian Treasure and Family Channel Best Books List, featured in U.S. Today, and other publications.

Houston spoke at the Fourth Annual Bill Martin jr Memorial Symposium, sponsored by the A&M-Commerce Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Martin, who lived in Commerce until his death in 2004, wrote more than 300 children's books during his lifetime.

Houston was a frequent speaker and workshop leader at the Bill Martin jr literacy conferences, which were held across the nation during the 1980s and 1990s.

"Bill Martin means so much to my granddaughters," said Houston who often read Martin's books to them. "My being here today is because of that."

In her keynote speech at the Martin Memorial Symposium on May 2, Houston urged the 470 North and Northeast Texas teachers in the audience to encourage their students to write about their families.

One of her books, "My Great-Aunt Arizona," is about her great-aunt who lived from 1876 to 1969 and was a teacher for an incredible 72 years. "She taught me when she was 80 and was substituting at 90," Houston said.

Houston, who grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and now lives in Asheville, said she had a vivid imagination as a child and would make up imaginary friends in her mind, such as bears. "My family honored the imaginary element in my life. They encouraged me," she said.

Her parents, who ran a store in a rural area, were "voracious readers and I read lots of magazines all the time," Houston said.

While growing up, she also had the opportunity to read many books. "I had a wonderful librarian who drove a bookmobile and would stop by our store. I got new books every week," she said.

Houston, who earned her master's and doctoral degrees at the University of South Florida in Tampa, was also a professor and author-in-residence at USF.

She considers herself "first, last and always a teacher." Her college-level textbook, "How Writing Works," is her "life's work," Houston said.

While teaching, she lived in Texas five years and taught in Irving. "I am half Texan," she said with a laugh. "It's the only place I lived I miss."