Technical glitches aside, I had so much fun chatting with Mel Rosenberg on the New Books Network. We talked about my childhood, my family, my unconventional path to publishing and – of course – books! Have a look! Or if you’d rather just listen, here’s a link to the podcast! Happy Reading! Jean
Tools for the Taking
Build Community with SYLVIE and Spider Cider Tea!
You may have noticed throughout SYLVIE that a tea set plays a very important role in the story. There’s a teacup on the cover and a tea set in several of the book’s illustrations. Can you find them all? And if you turn to the very last page and look closely, you’ll see that Sylvie… Read more »
GROUP HUG Kindness Craft – Make a “Hug” Jar!
Since my latest book GROUP HUG hit bookstore and library shelves, I’ve had so much fun reading and talking about hugs. But as we all know, and especially now, hugs aren’t appropriate or possible in every situation. But there are so many ways to show kindness. We can offer a kind word. Help with a… Read more »
It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!
Dear Reader, It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week! Let’s spread the word! While researching my book PUP 681: A SEA OTTER RESCUE STORY, I fell in love with sea otters and learned so many fun sea otter facts. Here are a few of my favorites: Sea otters have a pocket of loose skin under their forelegs… Read more »
Empowering Readers to be the Authors of Their Own Stories
My latest book, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? encourages readers to explore their hopes and dreams and empowers them to be the author of their own life stories. That feels like a tall order … until you ask a kid. Young readers will happily comply. They are natural storytellers. And with… Read more »
That time when TRUMAN traveled to Spain and …
a remarkable teacher in Barcelona introduced the story to her class. And her class created amazing art. And they all got to meet a real live tortoise. This is truly the best kind of e-mail. Hi Jean, My name is Laura and I am a kindergarten teacher in a public school in Barcelona (Catalonia). A… Read more »
Low-tech Learning: Sound Surfing
Nearing the end of my book, Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story, our little pup draws comfort from the rhythmic rocking provided by her caregiver. Why? Because the rocking reminded her of the rhythm of the ocean waves. Young readers can easily learn the relationship between rhythms and patterns by exploring ocean rhythms and… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Seeing the World Through Tortoise Glasses
When you change your point of view, your world grows. And that’s a beautiful thing. The following activity shows young readers what it might mean to walk in someone else’s shoes – or see from their glasses if you will – changing their perspective or point of view. It’s based on my book, Truman. And… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Your Traveler’s License and Postcards
In my book Light Up the Night, a child ventures all through his universe – all the way from his galaxy to his bedroom. And his beloved red and white blanket becomes his rocket, his spaceship, his truck, his train, his plane, etc. as he travels. What a wonderful dream for any child. Well, let’s… Read more »
Low-tech, At-Home Learning: Counting With Critters
If you think about it, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of ways to interact with a picture book. Exploring, discussing, and comparing details in the art are some of those ways. The art of illustrator Leo Timmers is loaded with discoverable details. Just flip through a copy of my books All Through… Read more »
My Books
