Vassallo Interviews: Beth Greenway, Children’s Author at Home in Oxford

A selection of Greenway’s children’s books

Beth Greenway, author of children’s books, has recently released her latest success entitled “Hawaiian Ocean Lullaby.” The book can be obtained via Amazon.com and is offered by Beachhouse Publishing. We visited with Beth recently at her lakeside home in east Oxford.

Beth Greenway and her dog, Donnie

HottyToddy.com: Beth, tell us the preferred audience of your latest work.

Beth Greenway: The book is a lullaby for children aged 0-5. As you progress through the story, the reader can count the animals featured. The Hawaiian word “keiki” appears in the story which is Hawaiian for child. The book also teaches children about the sea. Outside of Hawaii the only way to obtain a copy is through Amazon.

HottyToddy.com: Your illustrator is truly gifted.

Beth Greenway: Jamie Meckel Tablason is truly gifted and someone I have yet to meet.

HottyToddy.com: How did you come about entering this profession?

Beth Greenway: I have been writing now about 10 years. I have always liked poetry and reading. Children’s books seemed the likely combination to merge these skills.

HottyToddy.com: You have enjoyed some very significant accolades previously in this arena.

Beth Greenway: I have been published on two different occasions in “Highlights” a most famous publication for children which has now exceeded 1B copies in print. The magazine first appeared in 1946.

HottyToddy.com: As a kid I enjoyed this magazine and especially the contrasts between Goofus and Gallant. It’s refreshing to know it’s still going strong. When did your stories appear?

Beth Greenway: June, 2010 and February, 2011.

Greenway’s most recent book, Hawaiian Ocean Lullaby

Beth Greenway: “Waikiki Lullaby” is now in its fourth edition having sold some 7,000 books. It was released in 2009.

HottyToddy.com: Having lived in Hawaii, apparently this influenced your writing tremendously.

Beth Greenway: Two other books I published were “Hawaii’s Food Trucks on the Go” and “The Twelve Days of Hula” which is a counting book from the islands. And “A Lei for Every Day” teaches the days of the week in Hawaiian.

HottyToddy.com: You also have another production in the works?

Beth Greenway: Coming in 2017 from Arbordale Publishing “A True Hawaiian Princess” will tell the story of the 1881 eruption of Mauna Loa which threatened the town of Hilo with its volcanic ash and lava.

HottyToddy.com: You and husband Joe have truly become active in the community since arriving last year.

Beth Greenway: We love Oxford and all it has to offer especially in the arts. On October 16 (Friday 10:30) I will be doing StoryTime at the Oxford Library for preschoolers.

HottyToddy.com: Where was home prior to Mississippi?

Beth Greenway: I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan. Joe and I met in Michigan and following relocated to CT; next Hawaii; and then DC because of his military career.

HottyToddy.com: What was the magnet that brought you guys to Oxford?

Beth Greenway: One of my three daughters (Chelsea) did her undergraduate work here and my sister, Dr. Laurel Lambert, teaches food management/hospitality at Ole Miss now going on about 10 years.

HottyToddy.com: You and Joe seem to have adjusted here as well as anyone I’ve ever known.

Beth Greenway: Joe is now attending graduate school here studying Statistical Analysis and Homeland Security Operations. He enjoys fishing in the lake and getting involved in many community activities. We couldn’t be happier. My parents also live here. Our dog, Donnie, who you met upon arriving was found in the Walmart parking lot by Chelsea her freshman year and has adopted us as foster parents.

HottyToddy.com: Having never traveled to the Hawaiian Islands, what are the primary attractions?

Beth Greenway: The Arizona Memorial would be number one followed by the beaches and Diamond Head. The grand hotels on Waikiki (O’ahu) are destinations for many tourists. O’ahu is nicknamed “The Gathering Place.”

HottyToddy.com: What was it like living there?

Beth Greenway: Paradise. The people and the near perfect climate are quite appealing. The temperature stays around 85 dropping into the 70s at night. The Tradewinds keep the humidity down. The scent of flowers is always present in the air. The beaches are popular year round even in the winter. The winter months bring more rain and slightly cooler days, but if you do not live there, it is hardly noticed as to the change of seasons.

Beth Greenway and her husband Captain Joe Skinner are the quality type of individuals that Oxford and Ole Miss are now attracting on a regular basis. The two are so talented and share so many unique experiences, it is fascinating to visit with them. Donnie is a lucky pooch and we all are also fortunate for having Beth and Joe as neighbors. I have always wanted to visit our 50th state and after interviewing Beth, it is going to happen sooner than later.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.