Author
Sonja McGiboney is an author and photographer with a focus on children's literature. Her primary goal is to help children read and write.
As an author, McGiboney has published 23 picture books with titles such as, Growing Up Jazzy, ABC Jazzy, Jazzy Explores the Library, and more. Her stories have appeared in two Anthologies and on the 101 Words website. She is the founder of Gadsden Writers, Alabama
She is also involved in the writing community. She participates in 12X12 Challenge and SCBWI. Both organizations are unique, global communities of writers centering around building books for children.
Sonja maintains an online presence through her YouTube channel, where she reads her books and shares content related to her mission of promoting literacy among children.
McGiboney's work extends beyond writing, as she also has skills in various areas including building websites, teaching, music, and photography. Her diverse skill set and passion for education, make her a multifaceted creator in the realm of children's literature and beyond.
Growing Up
I look back at all these pictures and wonder, "Why was I picked on? Why was I teased so relentlessly? Why did I not defend myself?"
I was a cute little girl, but awkward and definitely not athletic. I could swim rather well, but never had the stamina to go very long.
School after 2nd grade was awful. Academically, I poured my soul into doing well so that: 1. My mother wouldn't yell at me and 2. I could say I was good at something.
Every Sunday, wearing itchy tights, ill-fitting shoes, and hand-me-down clothes, I marched to Sunday school with my sisters. Though it was a reprieve from the teasing, I still got the feeling that I, (we) weren't quite up to snuff.
Before Marriage
Before I graduated from High School, my two older sisters and I joined the Army Reserves.
I joined under the split option program. I did basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. After that, I began my first year as a music student at WVU. My reserve unit let me work in the office answering phones since I had no formal training. I completed my AIT the following summer in Indiana. I returned to my unit ready to do what I learned but they had filled my office spot. So I learned how to drive forklifts. One summer during our AT, I lifted a freight car.
I did that for three years before learning there was a National Guard band in Fairmont that needed a piano player.
Despite my affinity for playing rather than studying in college, I did obtain my degree in piano pedagogy. I have many crazy college stories to tell, but that's its own book.
After Marriage
I started my master's at Temple University and ended up Marrying the love of my life instead. I followed him around on his 25-year military career in the United States Army Band. Two tours in Heidelberg, Germany turned my daughter into a world traveler. My son Ryan learned to cook.
The kids have their own lives now. I am to be a granny soon.
I spend my time taking pictures, writing books, and basically trying new ways of doing more writing.
I have several short stories almost ready to publish and three novels at various stages of completion.
You can check out my kids books at
