A lifelong writer of various genres, Carolyn Macy never tried to publish her work before Hawaiian Night Before Christmas. Since Clement C. Moore's ’Twas the Night Before Christmas is one of her favorite children's stories, she would read different versions of the classic tale to her classes, and particularly enjoyed the versions involving the Southern, and Southeastern, rich culture. Unsuccessful in her search of such a book celebrating the tropical island of Hawaii, she finally started to write and illustrate her own—a much more successful enterprise! Macy dedicates her book to the children who delight in tales about Christmas, but she thinks that the innocence of childhood is not necessary to be moved by the magic of Christmas.
Macy and her husband, John, always wanted to share with their children the passion for discovery. In order to give them a better understanding of people and cultures outside their home, they traveled each summer to a new place throughout the United States. Their goal was to visit all fifty states by the time the children graduated from school. The last state they visited was Hawaii, where Macy found the inspiration for her book.
Upon graduating as valedictorian from Tyron High School, Macy won the state scholastic contest in Oklahoma history. She earned a bachelor of science degree in commercial art and biology, with a minor in chemistry, from the University of Central Oklahoma. She continued her brilliant academic route with a secondary education certification in science, a K-12 certification in art, and a master of natural science degree, which lead her to receive a scholarship from the National Science Foundation. She taught science, art, and gifted children for thirty-five years in several Oklahoma public-school systems.
Macy never tires of discovering and learning, and since her retirement from teaching, her spare time is spent between her eclectic hobbies, including traveling, genealogy, cooking, cake decorating, sewing, and music. Macy and her husband divide their time between Hawaii and their native Oklahoma.
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