Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBMHH) firefighter Jon Nordstrom poses with one of the books he has illustrated and authored at the fire station on the Fort Myer portion of JBMHH on Jan. 12. Nordstrom, an award-winning author, has written and illustrated two children’s books and is currently working on a third.
Nell King
By Julia LeDou | Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Jan 20, 2016. Updated 3/20/2024 By DODFireNews
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, FORT MYER, VA. -- In his workday life, Jon Nordstrom is a firefighter on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
In his off-duty time, he’s a devoted family man who relishes his roles of husband, father and uncle.
He’s also earned the title of award-winning author, with two published books to his credit and two more on the way.
Nordstrom’s writing career was born out of a dream and an unfathomable family tragedy. About five years ago, Nordstrom said he had a dream, a nightmare really, that involved a grandmotherly figure draped in black robes that flowed out behind her. In his dream, the figure’s robes helped lull children to sleep. Although the dream ended up being a nightmare, it planted an idea into Nordstrom’s mind about soothing children to sleep, a story that would eventually become his first book, “Sometimes Sleep.”
Then came Oct. 31, 2010. Halloween that year began as a joyful day for Nordstrom, his wife and daughters. They trick-or-treated in their neighborhood and had a great time hanging out with friends, until the phone call came.
On the line was Nordstrom’s father-in-law, who told them that their beloved 11-year-old nephew, Nathan, had been killed.
“We lost our nephew in a car crash,” Nordstrom said. “I had a really hard time sleeping. My daughter had an even harder time sleeping. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do something to immortalize Nathan and to help my daughter sleep.”
That led to Nordstrom to ask his oldest daughter what helped her to sleep. He began illustrating what she told him and then put words about the drawings to paper.
“The illustrations came pretty quickly,” Nordstrom said. “‘Sometimes Sleep’ was absolutely therapy for me in coping with the loss of my nephew.”
The self-taught illustrator draws on paper with ink and marker before editing his work with computer software.
Nordstrom, an Air Force veteran who has been a professional firefighter for 15 years, did most of the work on “Sometimes Sleep” at the Fort Myer Fire Station during his off-duty hours. The book took him more than two years to complete, and he initially self-published it. He now has found a publisher who has re-issued it. “Sometimes Sleep” has been awarded both the Gelett Burgess Award and Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence.
“The biggest thing is we got Nathan’s name out,” Nordstrom said. “We’ve done different charities, and we donated numerous books. Now it’s a celebration of joy.”
Nordstrom said his eldest daughter also served as the catalyst for his second book, “Shimmer.” Father and daughter were discussing the water cycle when she answered a question about it incorrectly. That led to “Shimmer,” a tale about a water droplet who is trying to find his place in the world, and at the same time teaches kids about the water cycle, which describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the Earth’s surface.
“I love to make kids laugh,” Nordstrom said. “This book teaches kids while making them laugh.”
Nordstrom’s third book, which he is at work on now, is about a mouse who, appropriately enough, lives in a fire house. He said his daughters review all his work and that he takes great stock in their opinions.
“Kids will tell you the absolute truth,” Nordstrom said. “They are great editors.”
Update to the story New Books released!!!
"There was a cheeky little mouse, who lived outside a Firehouse..." Follow the tale of Jingles the mouse as he seeks to become a real fire fighting mouse. Engage in the crazy antics that he thinks will help his cause, but only get him into more trouble! Can he figure out a way to fit in? Or will The Mouse at 61 House be banished?
An ancient manuscript has been unearthed and translated. The notes suggest a tall tale, but what really happened to nautical adventurer, Sven?
Meet Sven, a nautical adventurer. His brave travels across the oceans are woven into fantastic tales of wonder, bravery, and excitement. Sven's playful, rhyming stories, paired with memorable and engaging imagery, will delight readers of all ages. Follow him from the Caribbean, where he meets an organ playing octopus; to Canada, where a pancake flipping platypus catches his eye.
While the translators provide fun facts, Sven learns that not all is as it seems.
