Aug 30, 2024
On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had
the pleasure of speaking with two talented children's book authors
- Jean Huxtable Hammersky and Tina Neely.
Jean shared the delightful story behind her book Parker's Pumpkin.
She described how a young boy named Parker and his grandma plant a
mysteriously large seed, only to watch it grow into a gigantic
pumpkin that takes over their whole living room! Jean highlighted
the intergenerational and community-building themes in the story,
as the town comes together to celebrate the oversized gourd with a
big pumpkin pie party.
Jed and Jean also discussed the importance of
grandparent-grandchild relationships, and how technology like
FaceTime can help bridge the distance. As a former speech
therapist, Jean offered great advice for parents on spotting speech
delays in kids and getting them the help they need.
Next, Jed chatted with Tina about her book Bacon's Very Important
Christmas Job. Tina shared the real-life inspiration behind her
main character - her pet pig named Bacon! The book teaches kids
about the joy of serving others, a message that Tina's husband also
brings to life through his unique wrestling and faith-based youth
ministry.
Both Jean and Tina described their journeys into children's book
writing, overcoming challenges like spelling and grammar to pursue
their creative passions. They emphasized the universal themes of
love, acceptance and community in their stories - messages that
resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
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