You Can See “I Love You For All Of It”

The town of McCloud is proud to share one of its own, local resident Jolie Hickman—a writer and photographer whose work reflects a deep love for life, family, and storytelling. Her passion is evident throughout her writing, where she openly shares memories of her children, grandchildren, and past experiences. Jolie writes with honesty and vulnerability, holding nothing back, a quality readers immediately recognize in her books.

Raised on a ranch in Sonoma County, Jolie developed an early love for country life that has stayed with her throughout the years. After first visiting the McCloud area in 1986 with her husband, children, and later grandchildren, the family returned often. In 2017, Jolie and her husband made McCloud their permanent home, purchasing a small fixer-upper beside a creek and transforming it into the place they intended to live forever.

Before retiring, Jolie worked as a corporate mortgage underwriter for 35 years, while her husband owned and operated his own real estate brokerage for 40 years. During this time, her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly passed away in 2024.

Jolie’s writing journey began in her teenage years with poetry. In 2005, she expanded her craft by writing a cliffhanger mystery and romance novel that blends fiction and nonfiction, drawing from her personal life experiences. Today, she has written 17 children’s books—including a flip book and a pop-up book co-written with her granddaughter, Adriana—with five currently in publication.

While categorized as children’s books, Jolie envisions her stories reaching beyond young readers. She hopes they will also touch the hearts of elderly readers, particularly those in nursing homes, by rekindling memories of time spent with their own children and grandchildren. In addition to creating children’s literature, Jolie also designs annual calendars. She is currently working on a series about her beloved black lab, Sam.

Her 2024 children’s book, I Love You for All of It, was inspired by her grandson, who often told her those very words as a child. Each page captures tender moments, joy, and the unconditional love she shares with her children and grandchildren. As described on the back cover, the book celebrates heartfelt memories and unforgettable experiences, beautifully honoring the love that flows through families.

Jolie explains the inspiration behind the book’s characters:
“Elephants are unique creatures. They are big, strong, and playful, and the bond between mothers and their babies is a love of grand size. When I think of my children and grandchildren—the bond we share, the happiness they bring me, and the huge hearts they have—I think of elephants. That’s why they became the animated characters in the book.”

The 64-page collection of short stories features colorful, animated illustrations created with the help of her daughter. Each page ends with the phrase, “I love you for all of it.” The book is a heartfelt creation, clearly made with love.

Jolie Hickman’s books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble under her name. Her most recent book can be found on her Facebook page, Author Jolie Hickman. She also maintains a website for her annual calendars at mtshastacalendars.com.