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What Makes Us Different, Makes Us Beautiful
Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality follows a young girl grappling with feelings of not fitting in who takes an adventure in her imagination to an exciting jungle filled with animals. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story was a mixture of life experiences I’ve had as a little girl, in addition to some of the experiences I’ve observed from others in my life. I originally had the idea of Jane as a character mapped out in my mind before I started writing the story. I wanted her to be humble, unique, quirky, and intelligent, but a bit socially awkward, as most of us can relate to that feeling of not quite fitting in at some point in our lives. As someone who mentored kids in the past, I know that bullying has been a recurring problem, especially with social media in this day and age. I wanted to craft a story about a girl who had such a vivid imagination, she was able to escape into a daydream where this Jungle had animals who were strong to us as humans, but were actually just like Jane when it came to their own unique features. Like Tim the Tiger for example, who has a mohawk. He didn’t love his mohawk at first, but eventually realized it was a characteristic that made him special. I just started writing one day and it clicked that these animals were metaphors for the strength that Jane always had inside of her, but didn’t know.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the ideas that was important for me to share in this book was that no matter what quirks we may have, what makes us different, makes us beautiful. The correlation to animals Jane meets in the Jungle of Individuality that are viewed as strong to us like Apes, Cheetahs, and Tigers, but still experienced the same feeling of being different at first, shows that it’s something many of us go through. I wanted children to read this book and understand that not everyone’s the same and that is okay. I also thought it was important to have diverse representation in the book amongst the characters, especially Jane. Lastly, I wanted to shed light on the importance of children having open conversations with their parents if experiencing bullying at school. In the book, Jane talks to her mom about what’s going on at school, and her mom makes sure to listen and provide helpful feedback and is supportive to Jane in that moment.
What is one thing that you hope young readers take away from Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality?
I’d love for young readers to take away the last paragraph of the book when Jane tells her mom that her individuality makes her strong. I hope that they understand that the features that Jane thought made her stand out in a not-so-good way are actually the exact qualities that make her who she is, and that she should embrace them, celebrate them, and ultimately stand up for herself with confidence. I hope that resonates with young readers and that they also enjoy the animals inside The Jungle of Individuality as they guide Jane through this incredible adventure. The imagery is vivid, and the characters are certainly memorable. I hope that young readers find a character within this story that makes them smile, and inspires them to think of one thing they absolutely love about themselves.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes. There will definitely be another story within this series. I hope that Jane becomes a familiar face that young readers learn to know and love. The first book will come out in Summer of 2024, and then hopefully, the next part of the series with Jane will come out in late 2025.
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JANE ESCAPES TO THE JUNGLE OF INDIVIDUALITY
In Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality, author Jennifer Nestor crafts a delightful narrative centered around Jane, a young girl grappling with feelings of not fitting in. Jane’s journey begins en route to school when her imagination whisks her away to a vivid jungle setting. There, she encounters Tim the Tiger, a friendly guide introducing her to various unique animals. This imaginative adventure is a metaphor for embracing individuality and the beauty inherent in our differences.
Nestor’s storytelling is both engaging and instructive, ideal for young readers. She skillfully weaves a tale that encourages self-acceptance and bravery. Nestor uses the metaphor of the “waterfall of strength” to convey a powerful message about finding inner confidence and overcoming life’s challenges. Jane’s character development is particularly noteworthy; her transformation from a shy girl to one who discovers her inner strength is both compelling and relatable. The captivating illustrations are both vivid and bright, effectively immersing readers into Jane’s world. The depiction of jungle animals is particularly engaging, with each creature uniquely and thoughtfully represented, adding depth and enjoyment to the visual experience.
Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality is a charming and meaningful read that imparts essential lessons about individuality and self-confidence. It’s a book that tells a captivating story and leaves its young readers with a lasting positive message.
It is Important to be Humble
Tectonic Teff follows a strong young grain who thinks he can repair the entire village alone after an earthquake and learns that it is okay to ask others for help. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration is my mother who, as a single mother, worked extremely hard at raising me and at acclimating to a new country. It is with the help of the community around us that we will forever be grateful for. My mother was proactive and was very open to receiving guidance from others and she constantly gives back in return. Tectonic Teff doesn’t have the same personality as my mom though, he is quite different but transforms after a natural disaster forces him to learn big lessons!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Mosh. Fajar Shobaru?
Mosh. Fajar Shobaru is a great artist. I have multiple artists for the books in my series Growing Pains of the Grains and they are all very talented. The collaboration process took a lot of time and many drafts since I am very particular about how I would like the illustrations to express the story and Mosh. Fajar Shobaru used his talent and abundant patience with me.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The biggest lesson in this book I believe is learning to be free from pride or arrogance and that it is important to be humble because we all need others at times no matter how strong we think we are alone.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
Tectonic Teff is the 7th book in my series Growing Pains of the Grains, and the next book is yet to be determined, but it’s exciting to think about it!
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Tectonic Teff
Relying on others does not always come easily. It can be particularly difficult to convince children to ask for help when they are in stubborn moods. Fortunately, author Vy Lien provides readers with an engaging tale centered around Tectonic Teff, a strong young grain who quickly learns the importance of knowing when to handle things alone and when to rely on the help they have been offered. When an earthquake destroys their village, Teff believes he is the only one who can put it back together again. He soon learns he could not be more wrong.
Tectonic Teff, by Vy Lien, provides young readers with important lessons in humility while including nonfiction elements. This book is educational on multiple levels, making it a valuable resource for parents, counselors, and teachers. Teff is a headstrong character with whom many readers will relate. When he tries to take on more than he can handle, he is humbled by the slow and steady pace of the villagers, who are far smaller and weaker than him. Teff and the other villagers–-the Nurturing Nettles, Motivated Micro-Greens, Feeble Figs, and Creative Cardamoms–will provide excellent talking points for parents and teachers as they explore Lien’s book together. There is much to be learned from Teff’s transformation from confident to arrogant to humbled as the story progresses. However, there is just as much to be gained from families discussing the contributions of the book’s secondary characters.
Tectonic Teff, by Vy Lien, is a unique read that delivers a powerful lesson not often found in children’s books. Young readers will discover Lien’s memorable and relatable characters as they venture into this exciting world along with Teff and his pet sheep Woolly.
Pages: 36 | ISBN : 978-1-960541-08-6
The Little, Big Rescue
Brenda is a beautiful blue whale, one of the biggest in her part of the ocean. She has a unique color that makes her stand out from all the other whales too. Everyone in the ocean wants to be friends with Brenda, especially a little crab named Rimmy. Rimmy is a sand crab, compared to Brenda, plain and small. She insults him when he tries to make friends with her, saying he has nothing to offer her. However, one day Brenda gets caught in a fishing net and is trapped; none of her friends can help her escape. Can the little sand crab she insulted and brushed off be the one to save the day?
The Little, Big Rescue by Ashley Marie is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children about kindness and diversity. Written in simple language that toddlers can understand and illustrated with beautiful color images, this story will grab the attention of young readers and help them understand the concepts in an age-appropriate manner. Teaching the value of diversity can be challenging, but the author has shown how a whale and a crab, two creatures that look incredibly different, can help one another. Children learn that what you look like does not dictate who you are inside, and your physical size or appearance has no bearing on how big your heart and compassion are. Another important message this book highlights is the one of self-appreciation. Learning to love yourself no matter what others think of you is important, and Rimmy illustrates this by not letting himself believe he has nothing to offer Brenda and ends up being a big help in the end.
Teaching children to value themselves and diversity, among others, begins early in life. The Little, Big Rescue is a well-written picture book that shares these ideas in a child-friendly manner and is entertaining and engaging. Children will love following along under the sea with Brenda and Rimmy as they learn about friendship.
Pages: 19 | ASIN : B0872XJVTL
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams
Kayla wakes up and is excited for her family to travel and see their friends. She is all packed and ready to head to the airport, full of energy and anticipation. Unforintly, her father has to tell her that they can no longer go on their trip that day because of a big snowstorm. Kayla is devastated and ends up falling asleep while crying on her mom’s lap. In her sleep, Kayla dreams of traveling. She visits places all around the world and sees her friends in her dreams, but her family is not in her dream with her. After many countries and sites, Kayla realizes that even though she has her friends, her family is not with her, and she wants to return home.
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams by author Kyra Zeidan is a magical story about traveling and the importance of family. Children reading this picture book will see images from Dubai, China, Australia, France, Egypt, and even the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. Each country she visits gives children a few fun facts about the location, accompanied by bright, colorful images created by illustrator Musa Abdul Aziz Hasan. They will also be shown that even with all the unique places a person can visit, it is not the same if you are not with your family and the ones you love. Therefore, traveling is better with family.
This educational children’s book includes resources for parents and teachers. The included questions and lesson ideas allow this story to be used in various ways by parents and teachers. There is even a page for cutting out the characters to create their own stories.
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams is a whimsical picture book that takes children worldwide to see all the unique sites found in different countries. Parents will love the included message about the importance of family.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0BHKQ6X6S
Cool Kids
Michael is excited to start the year at his new school. He is going into 4th grade with two of his best friends. Together they all dream of playing football at this new school like they did last year. Michael makes several new friends in the first few weeks of school, and they all get along great. One day, Michael sees some boys playing football, and they will not let him join in. He is not one of the ‘cool kids.’ Disappointed, Michael decides to find a way to get into the cool kid’s group. Unfortunately, he learns that he must be mean and become a bully to be part of this group. Michael starts seeing himself as a monster and questions if being cool is worth it.
Cool Kids by Arlene Freeman takes a serious topic of bullying and presents it in a way that older elementary grade kids can understand and relate to. As a parent, I have witnessed bullying from this age group multiple times, and I think addressing it at this age level is vital for teaching just how harmful it can be to others. Kids will be able to relate to Michael and his desire to fit in and join others that are doing the activities he wants to do. I am impressed with how the author shows readers the ugly side of bullying. Being a bully makes you feel ugly inside, even when you look like the cool kid on the outside.
The artwork by Amelina Jones brings the story to life with detailed emotions for the characters and a style that fits between whimsy watercolors and graphic novel imagery. Children will enjoy the bright colors and realistic representations of a day in school. For younger kids who can’t read all the words yet, the images do a fantastic job of telling the story independently.
The theme of friendship and acceptance is just as strong as bullying in this children’s book. Michael is not the only kid to learn the real meaning of ‘cool kids,’ and seeing that people can change is helpful for this age group. It is a good reminder that sometimes we all make bad choices and that we can fix things by apologizing and making good choices after.
Cool Kids is a feel-good children’s book for elementary-level kids. Dealing with topics that kids struggle with at this age and presented in an approachable and relevant manner, this makes an excellent book for classrooms and caregivers to discuss the issues of bullying, kindness, and friendship.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B09L5LKSST
I Move A Lot and That’s Okay: Axel’s Story
Axel’s mom is in the Army. He is seven years old, and his family is getting ready to move to Italy. Of course, this is scary for a little kid, but he takes it in stride and with a positive attitude.
This beautifully illustrated picture book walks children through the process of going through a permanent change of station (PCS). There is a lot that happens and a lot of shuffling from one place to another, temporary housing and living out of suitcases. For military families, this becomes normal, but small kids do not always understand why this happens and can be angry and afraid of the changes. Axel walks through each step, sharing his feelings, concerns, and things he is excited about. The reoccurring line through this story is Axel saying, “I am okay with that” when faced with situations, only a few times is he not okay with things.
Author Shermaine Perry-Knights explains the moving process in a way that makes things less scary. She validates the concerns that children have when going through this process. It is really great that the author acknowledges the challenging things like stuff going missing or breaking in a move. These situations are not limited to military moves, so the story is relevant to all children faced with moving.
This heartwarming story shows how moving can become an adventure. It talks about how challenging life as a military kid can be and shows how amazing the experiences are. The artwork in this picture book has vivid colors, and the detail work really adds to the story.
I Move A Lot and That’s okay: Axel’s Story is a phenomenal picture book for children dealing with a move. While centered on military families, it can apply to many situations, the concerns, fears, and joys.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B08VNYKMXH
LITERARY TITAN 