I was a passionate elementary school teacher for thirty-five years. Now retired, I am grateful that my writing allows me to continue communicating with children. I am always working to improve my craft, help other writers, and embrace my author life.When I am not in a critique group or at my computer I might be doing yoga or biking.
With a "windows-to-the-world" cover, Some Daddies is a marvelous celebration of family love and a fun-filled exploration of what daddies do and are. Every daddy is different—and that makes them even more special! Readers will get a glimpse of the endless possibilities masculine love offers. With energetic and captivating art, it's the perfect gift for a new dad, Father's Day, or any occasion for parents and educators to read with their kids.
This is a heartwarming and sensitive story of a change in a family when a younger brother announces a new gender identity. She is a girl. There's an author's note, telling us this is based on a true story. And the bright darling illustrations add to this needed picture book for all children.
Daisy's older brother is thrilled when he gets a baby brother. They are best buddies who do everything together. But then, his younger brother realizes she is a girl and wants to be called Daisy. Daisy's brother must adjust to the change - including what it means for him and their sibling relationship. A moving, lyrical picture book based on a true story, My Sister, Daisy handles a sensitive subject with warmth and love.
This is the story of Stella’s stress when her teacher announces they’ll be having a celebration for Mother’s Day. Stella has two dads! All works out when she invites the biggest crowd of all, including Nonna and an uncle and aunt. It's a great book to share to open a discussion about diverse families, love, and acceptance. The illustrations are expressive and adorable.
Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mum to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family.
Lulu’s dad is a photojournalist who travels the world and brings her back treasures. Anyone who has a traveling parent will connect with this story. It’s a beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated book about a multi-racial family. It’s filled with heart and the love between a dad and daughter with the opportunity to learn some cool facts from the global cultures he brings back to her with his stories and trinkets. So lovely!
Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw's Papa Brings Me the World is a poignant picture book that celebrates the bond between parent and child, and follows their long-distance trip around the world.
Most parents drive a car or ride a bus or train to work—but not Lulu’s papa. He navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans, each time returning home with pockets full of treasures. There’s an ancient calculator from China, a musical mbira from Zimbabwe, and a special game from Sumatra. But the best treasures are special stories Papa tells when he comes home—tales of playing peekaboo with rare birds in the Andes and…
Simple beautiful language with lovely bright colored art tells the story of a dad getting up very early to go to his job at the bakery. The dad's arms are heavily tattooed and from the first wordless spread before the title page, we understand because of the author's note, that this was probably a dad who has returned from being incarcerated. The loving relationship between father and daughter is evident. It's a sweet slice-of-life story.
Dad wakes early every morning before the sun, heading off to work at the bakery. He kneads, rolls and bakes, and as the sun rises and the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden and-most importantly-they bake.
This lovely, resonant picture book was inspired by muralist Katie Yamasaki's work with formerly incarcerated people. With subtle, uncluttered storytelling amplified by her monumental and heartfelt paintings, she has created a powerful story of love, of family and of reclaiming a life with joy.
Lizzie is not unusual. Sometimes we all want to exchange a family member for a new-and-improved version. Her dad's jokes embarrass her and Lizzie visits the Daddy Depot megastore to find a new dad. In the end she discovers that her dad is the perfect fit for her. My favorite spread is the one that says, "It was a dad party! There were all kinds of dads." And here is where we see a diverse group of so many dads, from the more typical fireman and policeman, businessman, and doctor, to a yogi, musician, diver, astronomer, and bowler…even a magician.
Come to Daddy Depot: The Dad Megastore! From Acrobats to Zookeepers, we have the perfect dad for you! Exchange your old dad for a brand-new one...TODAY! Lizzie loves her dad, but he tells the same old jokes, falls asleep during story time, and gets distracted by football while Lizzie does her ballet twirls. When she sees an ad for a store called Daddy Depot, she decides to check it out - and finds dads of all kinds! Will Lizzie find the perfect dad? Join her on this sweet and silly adventure that celebrates fathers with lots of love.
Charley Byrne isn’t really living. She hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, until quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander’s circle of diverse friends and thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.
But the new friendships bring back-to-back betrayals that threaten the bookstore—Charley’s haven—and propel her into a dangerous depression, in a stark reminder that friendship has the power to destroy as well as save lives. Can her friends save the store? And Charley?
"A beautifully crafted story of friendship and self-discovery set amidst the harsh realities of today's world. Superb!" -Eileen O'Finlan, author of Erin's Children
Charley Byrne isn't really living. At age 29, she hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, afraid of a 7-year curse. Then quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander's circle of friends diverse in their heritage, race, gender and sexual orientation. She thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.
