Who is Carolyn Wild?
Carolyn Wild leads a busy and fulfilling life as an author, artist, farmer, and primary teacher for the Vernon School District in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. She brings a wealth of experiences to her craft.
As a dedicated educator, Carolyn finds joy in making a meaningful difference in education, inspiring her students to explore reading, writing, and learning. Her passion for fostering exploration extends beyond the classroom into her work as an author and artist.
Her children’s books not only reflect the beauty of the Okanagan Valley but these stories also resonate with the charm of everyday life. Each narrative is a testament to her love for storytelling and her commitment to sharing the magic of her surroundings with family, friends, and students. As she continues to create new tales, one can anticipate an enchanting blend of creativity, inspiration, and a genuine connection to the world she holds dear.
Early Life
Carolyn’s roots trace back to the bustling city of Toronto, but at the age of six, she embarked on a journey to a 300-acre farm in Pine River, Manitoba, alongside her parents, younger sister, and brother. The move connected Carolyn to her maternal family’s farming heritage, with roots dating back to the late 1800s in the Pine River area. Her great-grandmother and grandparents became invaluable sources, imparting knowledge about farming and the rich history of the Ukrainian people.
Life on the family farm was a tapestry of rural experiences — horses, cows, chickens, pigs, geese, ducks, extensive gardens, wheat fields, a nearby river, and woods ripe for berry and mushroom picking. Carolyn’s childhood was filled with adventures, from horseback riding to building tree forts and exploring the ponds and swamps in pursuit of frogs. Her collection of creatures, sometimes hidden under her bed, became a source of joy and occasional dismay for her mother. This upbringing laid the foundation for Carolyn’s deep connection to nature and her eventual passion for storytelling, drawing inspiration from the vivid tapestry of her farm life.
This is a picture of Carolyn and her mother in the Toronto area.
Sketches from Carolyn’s childhood.
From an early age, Carolyn loved being creative. She filled her school books with drawings of animals and cartoons. An avid reader she would often read under the covers, accompanied by the soft glow of a flashlight, getting lost in countless stories.
Even in typing class, Carolyn’s imagination thrived. Instead of focusing on typing, she wrote short stories, channeling her love for storytelling. She dreamed of becoming an artist or a veterinarian, and the allure of city lights made her decision even harder. Little did she know, these early passions would later shape her into the storyteller and artist she is today.
More sketches from Carolyn’s childhood.
Hobbies and Career History
As a young adult, Carolyn enjoyed dancing, singing, and acting on a few movie sets; however, she eventually settled down and became an Early Childhood Educator and then a primary teacher for over 25 years. She had the privilege of teaching preschool children in the Toronto Beach neighborhood and Kindergarten to Grade 3 students in Brandon, Saskatoon, La Loche, Calgary, and the Siksika Nation in Alberta. She currently teaches Grade 1 in Vernon, British Columbia.
This is Carolyn’s horse, Asia, and her first Nubian goat in Armstrong.
Family and Farming
Carolyn is a mother and a step-grandmother and she has a son who is also an artist. She lives on a farm called Wild Acres with her husband Geoff in Armstrong, BC, Canada where they sell hatching eggs, poultry, waterfowl, and Nubian dairy goats. They have raised and shown livestock for over ten years at the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong.
Family, gardening, and the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong.
Writing Children’s Books
In January 2023, Carolyn began writing children’s books, using her photographs to connect basic sight words from her classroom with animal pictures from her farm and neighborhood. Each book includes picture dictionaries, science facts, and practical tips for parents.
Inspired by the curriculum, school, farm activities, and everyday life, Carolyn published several colorful, award-winning books in Kindle and paperback formats. Her books are sold worldwide through Amazon, online stores, and local bookshops.
While Carolyn finds joy in coming up with story ideas, finding the perfect photos and dedicating time to complete each book requires commitment and creativity. She values the input from her students, friends, and family during the book-making process.
In her classroom, Carolyn’s books help foster a love for reading among her students, who cherish them greatly. Carolyn offers free worksheets, lesson plans, and coloring pages on her author’s website. All her books are carefully leveled to meet the reading needs of teachers, students, and parents of children everywhere.
“As a first-year teacher, I was thrilled to receive a cherished gift—a charming coffee mug from a parent with a special quote by Forest E. Witcraft. The quote perfectly sums up my life’s ambitions, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in this world.”
Carolyn Wild chatting with the children in her classroom and enjoying her Komondor dogs at home on the farm.
Look for more farm animal pictures and videos on the Wild Acres farm website: https://wildacres.ca/
