Barbara Hembree Bockman

Barbara Hembree Bockman attended West Buncombe Elementary and Lee H. Edwards High Schools in Ashville, North Carolina. The highlight of her day was walking to the bus stop, looking at the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Barbara was almost never without a book in her hand, except when romping through fields and woods with her cousin, Nancy.

As an avid reader, Barbara earned her BA in English from Western Carolina College, a BA in Library Science from Mississippi University for Women, and a Master’s Degree in English from the University of West Florida. She taught English at Pensacola State College. Moving on, she began writing and published six picture books and three middle grade novels. Barbara has travelled widely.

Her many grandchildren inspire her with ideas for new books. She depends heavily on her critique groups to help her improve her writing: SCBWI, and Writers Alliance of Gainesville's Creative Cronies.

1. Allison and the Magic Carpet Crew

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

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2. Allison’s Marvelous Magic Carpet

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

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Treasures of Vesta

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

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Treasures of Vesta

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

Diana is prepared to commit to twenty years as a Vestal Virgin. But she is torn between her devotion to Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth, and her private yearning to be a wife and mother. She is confident in her choice. But hubris stands in her way. Her prayer is self-centered; she pardons a murderer without full credentials; she mistakes a friend for an enemy; she misses the signs that would have enabled her to divert war from Rome. There are always choices. Diana chooses Vesta—and then she falls in love.

TREASURES OF VESTA is a historical fiction novel about a fascinating and little-known, yet vitally important, aspect of Ancient Roman life.

Allison and the Magic Carpet Crew series

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

While on vacation in Morrocco, Allison buys a souvenir rug, which turns out to be a magic carpet. Join Allison and her friends as they jump on the carpet and dive headlong into adventures, solving problems as they go. On every quest Allison and her friends find mysteries, make new friends worldwide, and break down barriers to acceptance. As they travel through time, they learn how and why things are the way they are. Readers will learn stories that pass on accumulated wisdom, beliefs, and values.

1. Allison and the Magic Carpet Crew

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

Surprise! Allison finds out her souvenir rug from Morocco is really a flying carpet! Join Allison and her friends as they jump on the carpet and dive headlong into adventures, solving problems as they go. Come along on the ride! See what happens as the Magic Carpet Crew flies through time and space to visit fascinating destinations. On every quest Allison and her friends find mysteries, make new friends worldwide, and break down barriers to acceptance.

2. Allison’s Marvelous Magic Carpet

Written by Barbara Bockman, Illustrated by Jenifer Dearinger

Join Allison on her new adventures as she travels through time and space on her magic carpet. Through her story, the reader learns stories that pass on accumulated wisdom, beliefs, and values. These travels through time and space on this fabulous magic carpet explain how things are and why they are.

Allison's adventures will teach children about famous women in history. As she travels through time with her friends, she connects with her humanness and the power of women linking the past, present, and future. This magic carpet teaches her to anticipate the possible consequences of her actions and helps her to learn something far more important than any one time, place, or thing.