Author sets children's book in Oak Park
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

A GOOD READ- Matthew and Montana Panec of Westlake Village enjoy the book written by their aunt, J.P. Nolan of Northridge. Her story, "1st Book of the Seriously Crazy Adventures of Becca and Company," takes place in Oak Park.

Edible furniture, wallpaper that comes alive and a talking iguana are among the imaginative aspects of a new children's book that takes place in Oak Park.

Called the "1st Book of the Seriously Extraordinary Crazy Adventures of Becca and Company," (iUniverse, 2007, $12.95) the novel follows Becca Pennington, nearly 13, of Oak Park and her experiences in an unusual mansion in town. J.P. Nolan, of Northridge, was inspired to write the book by her niece, Alicia Roll, 16, who lives in Oak Park.

"I got the idea for the book when Alicia was 13," Nolan said. "Not a lot goes on in Oak Park. It's so quiet."

Writing a creative, fun story was important to Nolan in order to attract young readers ages 9 to 11 whose attention may often focus on video games and television. Keeping her readers in mind, Nolan created clever characters with a sense of humor that comes through in Becca's relationship with the other characters, including her mother, a competitive real estate agent.

IN PRINT- Local author J.P. Nolan's children's book can be purchased an Amazon.com.

"A lot of kids' books, even though they're funny, I wouldn't say they're witty," Nolan said. "Kids are not dumb. If you talk to them a certain way they pick it up."

Although she says she wanted to be a writer since she was eight years old, Nolan, who gives her age as early 30s, went to law school. She worked in a Superior Court office helping domestic violence victims but became frustrated. Women would come in seeking restraining orders for protection from abusive boyfriends and husbands but would eventually return to the men.

"At first I was gung-ho, but that just wasn't for me," Nolan said. "It's not my passion."

The idea for the book came to Nolan in a dream three years ago. As a child she had bicycled to and from school, passing a dilapidated house on the way. She used to make up stories about the house, wondering what would happen if she went inside.

"Years later I had this dream about the house, woke up and wrote the first four chapters," Nolan said.

After completing the first draft in a little more than five weeks, Nolan put it away with the idea that she would give it a fresh look after some time passed.

"People say children's books are so easy to write, but they're really not," Nolan said. "You have to get kids to use their imaginations."

Nolan received guidance from her nieces and nephews, including Alicia, Noah Panec of Studio City, and Matthew and Montana Panec of Westlake Village.

"They said, 'Don't make it babyish. We can figure things out for ourselves,'" Nolan said.

Although she has no children of her own, Nolan is the youngest of 10 siblings and has many nieces and nephews.

"I prefer writing children's books, making them laugh and feel good," Nolan said. "I try to make my characters be who I think kids are at that age."

Nolan is now working on an adult book about a woman lawyer and "the hypocrisy of society, funny and sad."

Nolan loves Oak Park so much she plans to move there from Northridge. "It's a safe, quiet community. Everybody says hi when you pass them while you're out walking."