Springfield teacher Erin Rounds debuts children’s book

After penning her first book as a second-grader (the main characters were pencils), Erin Rounds told herself, “When I grow up I’m gonna be a teacher and I’m gonna be a writer!”

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Springfield teacher Erin Rounds debuts children’s book BY KAREN ENGDAHL, The Shopper August 10, 2018 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – After penning her first book as a second-grader (the main characters were pencils), Erin Rounds told herself, “When I grow up I’m gonna be a teacher and I’m gonna be a writer!” Erin Rounds Erin Rounds and her book. Photo by Karen Engdahl. Rounds achieved her first goal when she graduated Fordham University in 2003 and started teaching in the Bronx. “It was really hard,” she confessed, “but I stuck with it and found ways to make it work.” After two challenging years in the Bronx, Rounds made her way to Vermont where she now teaches fourth grade at Union Street School in Springfield. Equally persistent in pursuing her other goal – to be a writer – Rounds started the process of developing what would be her first children’s book after working with a class field trip in 2006. “We went to see some fossils in a Massachusetts museum,” she said, “and when we got back the kids were complaining that there’s ‘nothing that cool in Vermont.’ I started to wonder if we had any cool fossils in Vermont, and that led me to the UVM Perkins Museum website where I learned about Charlotte, the Beluga whale fossil. I remember thinking ‘that would be a great story to write someday.’” By 2008, Rounds had begun serious research to prepare to write the story, which she completed in 2010. After several drafts, she started submitting the book to publishers in 2013. Ever persistent in pursuing her goal, she did not let early rejection letters deter her. In 2014, Rounds’ efforts were rewarded and she started to work with Tilbury Press. The final product, “Charlotte’s Bones: The Beluga Whale in a Farmer’s Field” is now in print. Rounds will start a mini book tour next week with her first stop at the Springfield Town Library Aug. 10, then to the Phoenix Bookstore in Rutland Aug. 11, and finally to Phoenix Books Misty Valley in Chester Sept. 16. “I can’t tell you how exciting it is to finally see it as a real object – a real book!” she beamed. “And now I’m working on the next book.” Rounds, whose background includes a deep interest in biology, is continuing to focus on environmental science topics. Her second book entitled “Where’s Winter?” tells the story of the effects of climate change on hibernating animals. This book, already accepted by a new publisher, heralds another accomplishment for Rounds: illustrator. “I taught myself how to use the software so I could illustrate the next book myself,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun.” “Charlotte’s Bones” will be available in bookstores by the end of August.