When Lightning Comes in a Jar

A warm story of bridging the generation gap through heritage and togetherness. (Kirkus Reviews)

Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan, in 1944. Her early childhood was spent on her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan, a place she remembers with great fondness as a magical time filled with inspirational stories from her grandmother, her “Babushka.”

Her parents divorced when she was three, and she split her childhood between her mother’s home during the school year and her father’s during the summers. She credits her close relationships with her grandparents with significantly influencing her life and her work, particularly her tendency to feature young protagonists interacting with elderly characters in her books. She values the respect learned from these intergenerational connections and finds joy in the wisdom of both children and the elderly.

The farm in Union City holds a special place in her memory, not only for the stories and magical moments but also for a meteorite that landed in their front yard, which now serves as the family headstone. After living in Oakland, California, for nearly 37 years, she has returned to Union City.

Her family moved from Michigan to Coral Gables, Florida, in 1949, and then to Oakland, California. She lived in Oakland for most of her youth and adulthood, cherishing the diverse neighborhood on Ocean View Drive, where neighbors from various backgrounds, beliefs, and religions lived harmoniously. It was in Oakland that she met her lifelong best friend.

Patricia struggled with reading and math in elementary school, not learning to read until she was almost 14. She experienced a period of feeling “dumb” and was later diagnosed with dyslexia. A supportive teacher helped her receive the necessary assistance, leading her to understand that learning disabilities do not equate to a lack of intelligence, but rather a different way of learning. She believes that many children with learning disabilities are, in fact, geniuses.

She went on to attend university, majoring in Fine Art, and later earned graduate degrees, including a Ph.D. in Art History. She worked as a museum consultant, restoring ancient art. As a mother to two children, Steven and Traci, she dedicated much of her time to their upbringing.

Patricia began writing children’s books at the age of 41. Her artistic talents, which she discovered early on as a way to compensate for her academic struggles, have always been a significant part of her life. Her family’s rich storytelling traditions, with roots in Ukraine, Russia, and Ireland, provided a strong foundation for her own narrative abilities. Raised on oral stories rather than visual media, she honed her skills as a storyteller.

She attributes her imaginative ideas to her upbringing devoid of television, believing that constant exposure to screens can drown out the inner voice of creativity. She encourages children and aspiring writers to listen to this inner voice.

Having returned to Union City, she plans to host writing seminars, storytelling festivals, and other events celebrating children’s literature.

Patricia Polacco holds an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting and iconographic history. She has traveled extensively and continues to support programs that foster Russo-American understanding and promote art and literacy initiatives in the U.S. She resides in Michigan on an historic farm.

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