Reading at Dover-Eyota

What a crazy few weeks it's been! School presentations last Tuesday and Wednesday and a flight to CO to be with my mom on Thursday.  As always, never a dull moment!!

I loved, loved, loved sharing my book with the PreK - 5th grade students in the school where I was the principal for 20 years, Dover-Eyota Elementary School.  Since I have only been retired for two years, I recognized many of the students and amazingly remembered many of their names!  It was wonderful seeing the staff again too.  I feel like they are all my extended family.

I have learned that it is so gratifying to observe the kids’ excitement about the book.  They told me they loved the story and I know they were thrilled with the illustrations.  I told the students that the illustrations make a book truly come to life.  I know young children will want to read the book over and over again to look at all the details in the fun and colorful illustrations.  I am so grateful for the excellent job my illustrator, Anna-Maria Crum, did on each and every page.  

Annie’s 4th of July big Launch Day is just one week away - Tuesday, June 4!  It is all very exciting at this point.  If you are thinking about ordering the book, please order it on June 4th.  The orders that are placed that day help launch the book into “Bestseller” status.  It would be fun to see Annie’s story climb the charts.  

Enjoy looking at the Book Reading pictures taken by my very talented photographer, Carly Halgrimson.  

My First Book Reading

Hi all!

I’m so excited! I had my first school visit a few weeks ago in my hometown in Morning Sun, IA and I had so much fun reading Annie’s 4th of July to the PreK - 6th grade students. My book is partially based on the fun annual 4th of July celebrations held in Morning Sun. As a child, I couldn’t wait to participate in the special activities held for children on the 4th. Most of the students I read the book with said they couldn’t wait until the 4th of July either because they had so much fun participating in the special children’s events. I had a blast reading the book to them and discussing what was the same and what was different about the things that happened in the book and those that actually take place in Morning Sun. Kudos to the students for being such great listeners and for participating so well in the discussion after the story was read.

Launch day is coming up one week from today - please order your copy on June 4th using this link! https://tinyurl.com/Annies4thofJuly

About Jeanne

Jeanne has been an educator for over 50 years as a classroom teacher, special education teacher/administrator and as an elementary principal.  Jeanne loves children and watching the wonder in their eyes as they grow and learn.  

Jeanne has lived in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and currently lives in Minnesota with her husband.  Her delightful and busy blended family includes 6 adult children, 9 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.  

Jeanne wrote her first book, It’s Too Soon to Quit:  A Story of Hope, in 2015 when she felt compelled to write about her six year journey living with dreadful daily panic attacks.  By vulnerably and authentically sharing her story, Jeanne hopes the lessons she learned and shares will encourage others who may be going through a similar season of suffering. 

In retirement, Jeanne continues to want to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families by writing children’s picture books.  Throughout her career in public education, she observed how prevalent and debilitating anxiety was in children.  Jeanne hopes to entertain children through her books while providing strategies to help them face and conquer their fears and daily challenges.  Jeanne’s first picture book, Annie’s 4th of July, is expected to be released this June.  This story of bravery, surprises, and joy describes how Annie finds courage within herself to face her fears.  

Jeanne is a very active woman and loves people.  She has been a recreational long-distance jogger for 46 years.  Recently she joined the national pickleball movement and loves playing pickleball with friends.  Currently, her favorite pastime is spending time with her husband and children and playing with her grandchildren.  Jeanne’s vision as an author is to SOW - Serve Others Well through planting seeds of hope and joy through her books.