About Allison
Allison Sarnoff Soffer writes and teaches in Washington, DC. She especially enjoys writing for and about children. Apple Days is her first book.
In her writing, Allison is deeply influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach which emphasizes the exquisite notion that every child is the protagonist in his or her own story. Allison brings her journalism training into the classroom to capture children's stories. She takes photos, jots down quotes, and records conversations to make visible children's social-emotional and cognitive learning. In her nursery school classroom, Allison sees "news" happening all day, every day, and that's where her stories often begin.
Allison worked as a program officer at the National Endowment for the Arts, and has published in The Washington Post, Scholastic News and Who Cares Magazine. She was an active stay-at-home mom for eleven years before beginning a second career as a teacher.
Allison grew up in the New York area where she studied at American Ballet Theatre and performed children’s roles in area productions, most notably as Clara in the Nutcracker Suite, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and at Nassau Coliseum. Allison brings her lifelong love of music and movement to her work with young children. Yoga and mindfulness have also become a part of her practice.
Allison attended Princeton and Columbia Universities (BA) and studied journalism at Northwestern University (MSJ). She lives in Maryland with her husband, two children, and her cat.
In her writing, Allison is deeply influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach which emphasizes the exquisite notion that every child is the protagonist in his or her own story. Allison brings her journalism training into the classroom to capture children's stories. She takes photos, jots down quotes, and records conversations to make visible children's social-emotional and cognitive learning. In her nursery school classroom, Allison sees "news" happening all day, every day, and that's where her stories often begin.
Allison worked as a program officer at the National Endowment for the Arts, and has published in The Washington Post, Scholastic News and Who Cares Magazine. She was an active stay-at-home mom for eleven years before beginning a second career as a teacher.
Allison grew up in the New York area where she studied at American Ballet Theatre and performed children’s roles in area productions, most notably as Clara in the Nutcracker Suite, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and at Nassau Coliseum. Allison brings her lifelong love of music and movement to her work with young children. Yoga and mindfulness have also become a part of her practice.
Allison attended Princeton and Columbia Universities (BA) and studied journalism at Northwestern University (MSJ). She lives in Maryland with her husband, two children, and her cat.
Fun Facts!
- I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival in college
- I've studied in Reggio Emilia, Italy
- I write children's books with my daughter
- I started a Mother-Daughter Book Club when my daughter was in Elementary School that met for five years!
- I performed as Clara in the Nutcracker Suite at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Nassau Coliseum. I also danced children's roles at Lincoln Center!
- I recently learned how to play the guitar, and I love to sing
- I have a cat named Sonya!
My Favorite Children's Books
When I was a child, my favorite books were:
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
- Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire
- Swimmy, and Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Mandy by Julie Andrews
- Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum, and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
- Ellen's Lion by Crockett Johnson
- Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
- Alfie: The Turtle that Disappeared by Thyra Heder