By Sabrina Novacov
Meet Monica Voicu Denniston, an Air Force spouse and author of the charming new children’s book Maggie the Military Rat. Inspired by her daughter’s adorable misunderstanding of the term “military brat,” Monica crafted a story full of heart, humor, and real-life lessons about friendship, service, and determination. In this interview, she shares the inspiration behind Maggie, her favorite moments in writing the book, and what’s next in her author journey.
Q: What inspired you to write Maggie the Military Rat?
A: The book was inspired by my then-3-year-old daughter, who adorably misunderstood the phrase "military brat" as "military rat." Around that time, we were preparing for our kids' first military move, and I was looking for a quality picture book to explain to them their unique role as military brats. When I couldn't find what I was looking for, I was inspired to write my own book, and the "military rat" play on words was too cute to pass up.
Q: Maggie is such a unique and courageous character. What lessons do you hope children take away from Maggie’s adventures?
A: Maggie's determination, her patriotism, and her willingness to be a friend are qualities that I hope children will emulate. One lesson I hope children take away from Maggie's adventures is that you're never too small to make a difference in some way, and that you can serve our service members simply by being a friend.
Q: How do you balance teaching real-life lessons with keeping the story entertaining and lighthearted?
A: While coming up with my story, I tried to put myself in the mind of a child who is trying to serve in the military. They might start with a lofty goal like enlisting, but that wouldn't end well due to their age. Then they might try to support the troops through bringing a meal or writing a letter. To keep the story entertaining, I thought of funny or over-the-top situations like Maggie trying to be a military chef rat, or Maggie writing dozens of letters that the postal worker couldn't read due to her teeny handwriting. Playing off of Maggie's small size and ratiness kept the story lighthearted, but the real-life lessons of stick-to-it-iveness, service, and friendship are there.
Q: Which part of the story was your favorite to write, and why?
A: Probably the scene where Maggie dons a chef's hat and shows up in the mess hall, only to be ordered out by the angry chef. The visual image is too good, plus I liked the juxtaposition of a "tiny rat and a BIG health code violation."
Q: Do you see Maggie returning in more stories, perhaps new missions or adventures?
A: Absolutely! Book 2 in the series: Maggie on the Move, is currently being illustrated, and I have an idea for a third and final book as well. Stay tuned!
Bio: Monica Voicu Denniston is an active duty Air Force spouse and mom to three military brats. She is a first-generation Romanian immigrant who developed a passion for picture books while using them to learn English when she was eight years old. Monica has a law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, where she currently teaches legal writing. She and her family have lived in Sacramento, California; Newport, Rhode Island; and Madrid, Spain. They call the Bay Area, California home.
Social: @maggiethemilitaryrat
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