Autumn is Calling
It is a crisp fall day in Appalachia and Katie is learning about the season of fall as she and her mother walk to the local Autumn Festival. She sees squirrels and other animals putting away food for the cold winter months and compares it to the canning of fruits and vegetables that she and her mother did the day before.
At the Autumn Festival, she experiences Appalachian music while admiring the beautiful fall mums and pumpkins. Katie sees and learns about many other traditional Appalachian customs, like making apple butter, quilting, folk toys, and pumpkin patches. The fun illustrations make this a book for the entire family as they go with Katie on an autumn adventure!
Last Letter to Gettysburg
This is the story of Levi, a young boy who lives in Gettysburg, PA during The Civil War. Levi’s father was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg.
Following his father’s death, Levi receives one last letter and a button from his father’s uniform. Through this last letter, we are taught the valuable lessons of patriotism and self-sacrifice. We also see the letter intertwined with Levi’s own experiences during the battle in his hometown of Gettysburg.
When Levi attends the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg, he hears President Lincoln’s address to the visitors at Gettysburg and even has the opportunity to share his father’s letter with President Lincoln. This book is historical fiction and intended for a middle grade reader.
Why Me?
"Why Me?" is the story of Dallas, a very active and impulsive little boy who feels that troubles follow him everywhere. Because of the many problems that occur around him, he asks, "Why Me? Why does everything always happen to me?"
After falling off of a swing at school, Dallas ends up in the hospital with a broken leg. He feels sad because of his "bad luck" and is afraid that all of his friends are mad at him.
Through the kindness and wisdom of an elderly man that he meets in the hospital, Dallas begins to realize that what he thought was "bad luck" is really the natural consequences of his own actions.
The Angel in City Park
While sitting in church with her family, Sadie hears this scripture. On the way home from church on this bitterly cold and snowy night, Sadie sees a fire in the park and discovers for the first time that there are people who are without homes and who may be cold and hungry.
With her mother’s help, Sadie decides to take some food and a warm blanket to the park where she leaves them at the stone statue of an angel. The word is spread at school, and soon other children and adults in the community begin to do the same.
This is the story of a young child’s ability to make a difference in her community. By doing so, has Sadie actually served an angel in disguise?
Coloring Pages
Download and print Sadie's coloring pages and enjoy this special activity with your child!
About Jan
Jan was born in Texas but moved to New Martinsville, West Virginia, where she went to Magnolia High School and then to West Virginia University. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in communication studies, and a master's degree in early intervention special education.
Jan owned and operated her own preschool for many years, then taught pre-kindergarten through first grade for Wetzel County Schools until retirement.
Jan has been married to Don for forty years. They have two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Jan is a frequent pianist and vocalist at her local church and enjoys quilting and reading!
