Author, Scientist, Speaker

I. Caroline Crocker, Ph.D.

I am an immigrant born to an immigrant and on for generations. My parents are Dutch, but I have lived in Canada, Iowa, England, California, Texas and Virginia.

My career has been equally varied. I trained as a scientist: microbiology and immunology. Then I worked in medical research, college teaching, leading a nonprofit, and being a CEO.

Now I am doing what I love most. Enjoying my eight grandchildren, gardening, and writing books. Adult books, big kid books, little kid books, and even a book on doing microbiology in your kitchen. Nonfiction written like fiction.

Complete press kits are also available on some of the websites for my various books.

Brave Face media exposure

Brave Face press kit

Unforgivable 

Media Exposure (incomplete; selected list)

 

Please note that some of my views have changed in the last ten years, but this list shows that I am very capable of making a splash!

  1. Interview by George Mason University Center for Immigration Studies: https://iir.gmu.edu/immigrant-stories-dc-baltimore/netherlands/netherlands-summary-of-interview-about-Meta-Evenbly
  2. Guest post on Linda Rondeau blog: https://lindarondeau.com/having-the-prime-of-my-life/1737-MOTHERLY-WISDOM
  3. Guest on Podcast speaking on why writers should do their research. https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/boombangohmygoshwowpodcast/
  4. Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards for narrative nonfiction (Brave Face).
  5. Guest post on writing, Relax and Enjoy the Ride.
  6. Book award by Firebird Book Awards for Brave Face.
  7. Five star reviews of Clemmy Gets a Family and Clemmy Gets a Sister by Reader’s Favorites.
  8. Five star review for Brave Face by Reader’s Favorites.
  9. Unforgivable featured in Podcast, Jacqui Just Chatters.
  10. Article published about Unforgivable: Through a Child’s Eyes. “The Children Hidden at Driebergen.” Normandy1944.
  11. Articles published about Brave Face: The Inspiring WWII Memoir of a Dutch/German Child.
  12. Crocker, Caroline. “Pinocchio in College.” Teachers of Vision. 2013: LVIV: 2.
  13. Caroline Crocker Interview. November 2011. https://thebestschools.org/features/caroline-crocker-interview/
  14. Mickelson, Jan. Radio interview. June 2008. http://mickelson.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=346164
  15. Mooney, Kevin. “Intelligent Design Film Boosts Academic Freedom Bills, Advocates Say.” CNSNews. May 2008. http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200805/CUL20080529d.html
  16. Expelled: A “Must See” Film
    By Scott  Caroline Crocker, Dr. Michael Egnor, Dr. Robert Marks, and Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez; all top-notch, highly credentialed scientists   Between Patients – http://www.betweenpatients.com/
  17. “Christian professor “expelled” for questioning Darwinism.” Concerned Women for America. Apr. 2008 http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=15006&department=CFI&categoryid=education.
  18. Arnold, Lori. “Expelled documentary explores Darwinism, Intelligent Design, religion ” Christian Examiner. Apr. 2008  http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Apr08/Art_Apr08_03.html.
  19. Bethel, Tom. “No Intelligence Allowed!” American Spectator. 19 Feb. 2008 http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12759
  20. Expelled No Intelligence Allowed. Ken Miller, Walt Ruloff, and Ben Stein (writers), Logan Craft, Walt Ruloff, and Mark Mathis (producers), Nathan Frankowski (director). Moving Picture Documentary. Premise Media Corp., April, 2008.
  21. “What Happened to Freedom of Speech?” PRN Newswire. 22 Aug. 2007 http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin.stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-22-20
  22. Wells, Jonathan. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design. Washington DC: Regnery, 2006.
  23. Vedantam, Shankar. “Eden and Evolution.” Washington Post Magazine. 5 Feb. 2006: W08.
  24. Bradley-Haggerty, Barbara. “Intelligent Design and Academic Freedom.” All Things Considered. National Public Radio. 10 Nov. 2005.
  25. Brinton, Henry J., “Darwin Goes to Church.” Washington Post. 18 Sept. 2005. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/17/AR200509.
  26. Brumfield, G. “Who has Designs on Your Students’ Minds?” Nature 434 (2005): 1062-5.

Press Release for Brave Face

Brave Face: The Inspiring WWII Memoir of a Dutch/German Child, a historical tale with a very up-to-date message about war, discrimination, poverty, and even immigration.

(Published by Amsterdam Publishers) ISBN 949327666X

Caroline Crocker (65) and Meta Evenbly (88) proudly announce the publication of Brave Face: The Inspiring WWII Memoir of a Dutch/German Child. This unique book not only details Meta’s wartime childhood but also invites the reader to consider the impact that deprivation, intolerance, and violence have on children everywhere. The authors dream that this book will make a positive difference in the lives of future generations.

As the daughter of a Dutch postman and his German wife, five-year-old Meta finds her life totally changed when WWII begins. Meta’s anxiety is exacerbated by der Stiefel, a Nazi soldier who haunts her. Life continues downhill until starvation renders the formerly vivacious child so weak that she doesn’t care if she dies. After the war ends, poverty, prejudice, and PTSD dog her every step, and Meta finds herself unable to pursue her dream of becoming a physician. Should she give in to despair, just put on a brave face, or accept reality and work towards those goals that are still possible?

According to Dr. Hemchand Gossai, author of numerous books on the Jewish Bible, Holocaust expert, and Professor and Interim Dean at Northern Virginia Community College, “This memoir has universal human themes that touch our hearts movingly. It is a story deeply resonant in our time, granting us hope that terror and evil do not have the last word. Meta gives us hope, and that is an act of grace. Brave Face is a memoir to be cherished.”

Dr. Caroline Crocker is a multi-genre writer, focusing on truth written like fiction, and a blogger addressing science, faith, teaching, and other topics. Previously, she worked as a biologist, medical research scientist, associate professor, nonprofit founder, and CEO. Caroline lives with her husband in Northern Virginia, where she has four grown children, eight wonderful grandchildren, and a bulldog who snores very loudly.

When she was 17, coauthor Meta met the love of her life, Frits. They immigrated to Canada and then lived in the US and England. Meta has five children, one living in Des Moines, and many, many grand- and great-grandchildren. Studying in her “spare” time, Meta was awarded a degree in Liberal Arts from St Thomas University, Houston, at the age of 59. Frits is gone, but Meta’s indomitable spirit continues to impact all who know her. After all, according to Meta, “It’s important not to stop living before you’re dead.”

Extra information and a preview of Meta’s unique style can be found on the Brave Face YouTube channel here: http://tiny.cc/jackboot.

Website: https://iammeta.org

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Press Release for the Clemmy Series

The Clemmy the Brave series, children’s picture books (ages 4-10) that each gently illustrate a Christian principle through the real-life adventures of an adorable bulldog.

(Fairfax, VA—Spring, 2023 by Rambling Ruminations)

Caroline Crocker is happy to announce the publication of the Clemmy the Brave Series, books about her bulldog. Truth that reads like fiction—and aids adults in beginning important conversations.

Clemmy Gets a Family

A delightful tale about the power of unconditional love! A forlorn and timid bulldog puppy, Clemmy, is adopted by a people family and finds that their love and acceptance enable her to gain in confidence until eventually she becomes Clemmy the Brave.

Clemmy Learns to Talk

A charming story about the wonders of communication! In it, Clemmy, the formerly-forlorn bulldog puppy, and her people family learn to listen and talk in ways that cross language barriers. Eventually, both Clemmy and her family are confident that they are heard–and loved.

Clemmy Gets a Job

A captivating story about the joy of serving others! Clemmy the bulldog seeks to figure out how she can help her family—what her job is. She is frustrated again and again until, eventually, she finds something that she is uniquely gifted to do.

Clemmy Gets a Sister

An amusing story about the challenges of growing families! Clemmy the bulldog struggles when her people take in a duckling. She is torn between resenting and befriending her new sister, a dilemma that will find an echo in many hearts.

Dr. Caroline Crocker is a multi-genre writer, focusing on truth written like fiction, and a blogger addressing science, faith, teaching, and other topics. In her previous life, she worked as a biologist, medical research scientist, associate professor, nonprofit founder, and CEO. Caroline lives with her husband in Northern Virginia, where she has four grown children, eight wonderful grandchildren, and a bulldog who snores very loudly.

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/clemmythebrave

Website: https://clemmy.org

caroline@ramblingruminations.com

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Press Release for Unforgivable

Unforgivable: Through a Child’s Eyes, the true story of an abused and fatherless boy who lived through WWII—and found the end of the war was just the beginning of his unraveling. 

(Fairfax, VA—April 5, 2024 by Rambling Ruminations)

Caroline Crocker is proud to announce the upcoming publication of Unforgivable: Through a Child’s Eyes. This long-anticipated narrative nonfiction manuscript details the childhood of a part-Jewish boy who struggles with a lack of familial comforts, maltreatment, exploitation, bereavement, and probable neurodivergence while living through and in the aftermath of World War II.

Little Frits finds his life totally changed when his father becomes seriously ill, the family moves country, and his mother places him and his brother in a children’s home. WWII begins, and the Netherlands is occupied. Bombing becomes his lullaby, and friends and family are murdered in Auschwitz. Frits experiences illness, terror, overwhelming sadness, and rage. But when he grows up and is deprived of his lifelong dream, he reaches the end of his rope. Should Frits hold onto anger or shake off the fetters of his wrath, embrace love, and start afresh?

 Emeritus Professor of Literature and Rhetoric Bruce Hann says, “WOW for this book! So moving!  So infuriating! So haunting! So inspiring! I strongly recommend Unforgivable.”

Rabbi Bruce Aft of George Mason University wrote, “Unforgivable is a compelling story about the challenges which people face and the difficulties they endure. It is a tribute to the will to live and fight against almost unbeatable odds.”

The Revd. Dr. Justyn Terry of Wycliffe Hall in Oxford writes, “Caroline Crocker’s engaging telling of the story invites the reader not only to reflect on the many challenges Frits faced but also to consider the nature of forgiveness which it raises. It’s a great way to think about weighty matters, and I recommend it warmly.”

Dr. Caroline Crocker is a multi-genre writer, focusing on truth written like fiction, and a blogger addressing science, faith, teaching, and other topics. Previously, she was employed as a biologist, medical research scientist, associate professor, nonprofit founder, and CEO. Caroline lives with her husband in Northern Virginia, where she has four grown children, eight wonderful grandchildren, and a bulldog who snores very loudly.

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/fritsevenblij

Website: https://unforgivable.website

Author blog: https://ramblingruminations.com

caroline@ramblingruminations.com

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