Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Round Table, we sit down with Carole Sarkan, a retired educator, award-winning author, and Caldecott runner-up who has turned a family treasure into her latest book, From the Pen of Private Jim. Based entirely on the letters her father sent to her mother during World War II, the book offers a deeply personal glimpse into a love story shaped by wartime experiences, heartfelt correspondence, and a remarkable piece of family history. Carole has long combined her passions for writing, art, music, and history. After college, she became an elementary teacher and fulfilled her childhood dream of publishing children’s books, including And Candy Smiled, And Candy Lived, and Aunt Mary’s Pottery, illustrated by Emily Christoff-Flowers. Coming from a family of creative storytellers, Carole carries on a rich legacy: her grandparents were songwriters and educators, her parents were musicians and music teachers who loved writing eloquent letters, and her brother, Jim Grabill, is a prolific poet and teacher. Join us as we talk with Carole about the inspiration behind From the Pen of Private Jim, the process of preserving her parents’ letters, the power of storytelling to connect generations, and what it means to bring family history to life. It’s a conversation about love, history, creativity, and the stories worth saving for the future. Check out Carole’s websites➡️ https://www.privatejim.com and https://www.bookswithcarole.com This episode was edited by Brooklyn Martinez and recorded by Ollie Shroeder. Intro/Outro Music: “Motivated” by Alex MakesMusic Date Recorded: October 20th, 2026 FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS: Twitter: @OHS_RoundTable Instagram: @ohs_roundtable Email: podcast@otsegoknights.org tiktok: @ohs_roundtable Student Video Show on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lateknightsroundtablepodcast?feature=shared
