Erin Dealey

Today we’re chatting with Stacy S. Jensen about her debut picture book,

Before I Lived Here,

illus. Victo Ngai / Neal Porter Books / Holiday House

“Journey backward in time through all the layers of history that led up to

your neighborhood’s existence.” —NPB

Ngai’s precisely lined, radiant mixed-media illustrations pull readers into each moment. . . . Complex yet comprehensible and suffused with rich science and social science content, including an excellent glossary, this is an invaluable resource for educators and curious youngsters alike.. . .Jensen’s tour through time is a tour de force. — starred Kirkus

This would be a perfect jumping-off point for a classroom project about local history, but the gorgeous digital and analog artwork elevates it beyond plain fact, making it an equally strong choice for storytime. .
— starred Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Before I Lived Here is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

About the Author

Stacy S. Jensen is a former journalist (and twin!), whose kidlit career started with a classroom book project, A Book About Me, in the second grade! This led to her contributing a weekly column to her local newspaper in high school. These days, when she’s not writing, Stacy enjoys family time, reading, and paper quilling. She also volunteers to support literacy, youth, and children’s programs. 

Let’s ask some questions!

Inspiration

Q 1. What was the inspiration for Before I Lived Here?

Stacy S. Jensen: Before moving to Marietta, Georgia, I lived in a growing development Banning Lewis Ranch in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I was fascinated by the history of the development and the cattle ranch that was there before our house was built. Living in a growing development held many surprises.

Research

Q 2. What was your research like for this project?

Stacy S. Jensen: The bulk of my research was on the history before the ranch. I served on a couple community boards in my neighborhood. So, I spent a lot of time digging through government documents
and general ranch history too. For a picture book, you have a very small word count and 32 pages to tell a story. I hope children will like the periods of history highlighted in the book.

Discoveries

Q 3. Can you share any surprises or discoveries you made while working on Before
I Lived Here?

Stacy S. Jensen: One discovery was a news report I found saying the area of the neighborhood holds
one of the world’s best fossil records!

Stacy S. Jensen: In addition, I was able to take a closer look at the Banning Lewis Ranch history at the Pikes Peak Library District’s Regional History & Genealogy collection, part of the 1905 Carnegie Library. There I found papers about Ruth Banning, one of the ranch owners, including a photo of Ruth on the ranch, and the best discovery: her diaries from the 1920s.

Ruth Banning’s Diary

Stacy S. Jensen: I was fascinated to see Ruth’s entries about snow and her days spent in the city or at the ranch.

Before…

Q 4. Taking a page from Before I Lived Here, let’s journey backwards in time. Please answer
the following with whatever comes to mind:

Stacy S. Jensen:
a. Before I wrote children’s books, I read them.
b. Before I worked as a newspaper journalist, I was a cake decorator.
c. Before I studied Journalism, I asked a ton of questions.
d. Before I wrote for my local paper as a high school student, I enjoyed
studying history.

Q 5. We love that your writing career ultimately began in 2nd grade. Can you tell us
more about this?

Stacy S. Jensen: My first book — A Book About Me — features a page which is
basically an ode to mustard. I still love it. I declared a dislike for broccoli in my
book, but love it now.

Illustration Surprises

Q 6. What surprises did Society of Illustrators New York Gold Medalist illustrator Victo
Ngai bring to the project?

Stacy S. Jensen: Victo Ngai’s art is gorgeous. She really added layers to the story that readers will love. The squirrel that appears throughout the book is a very special touch that makes the book more accessible to young readers. I discover a new detail every time I read the book.

Thank you for joining us on the blog today, Stacy,

and Happy (almost) Book Birthday to Before I Lived Here.

*Still time to preorder!

To learn more about Stacy S. Jensen and her work, check out her website: StacySJensen.com

And follow her on social media:

X : @StacySJensen

IG : stacysjensen

FB : stacysjensen

Next up on the blog:

On 8.19.25 W

On 8.19.we chat with Meg Fleming about her new picture book: The Everything Trail,

Illus. Chuck Groenink, Beach Lane Books.

Next week we’ll be talking about what to do while you’re WAITING…

Happy Summer Reading!