Honored that teachers are reading #SammyRingtail to their students!

Thank you - this is an honor! "Repost from @spikezee using @RepostRegramApp - Today's Black History Month Shero was Ms. @jennetta_younge ! My 3rd graders in #Chinatown enjoyed #sammyringtail ! More schools and a worksheet honoring Ms. Younge are coming soon!"

A post shared by Jennetta Younge (@jennetta_younge) on Feb 25, 2017 at 10:48am PST

Summer Reading Time: Sammy Ringtail is available online!

Searching for new and fun books for your child's summer reading list? Sammy Ringtail's Adventure to the BIG CITY has everything you need. 

Whether your school-aged child is keeping their literacy sharp, or you want a bedtime story for your smaller children...

KAPOOF! You can now buy my beautiful illustrated book for young adventurers - online. 

Sammy Ringtail is a naughty baby raccoon who runs away from home in search of excitement... See how he will find his way back home - together! 

Available as an eBook for immediate download here.

What are some of your favorite go-to Summer reading books? Be sure to share them in the comments below, and connect with me on social media.

About me.

copyright 2018 Jennetta Younge

Reading my book aloud for new audiences...

Reading my #book aloud for new audiences is one of the most enjoyable experiences for me, because I get to see it through new eyes. I am in the process of getting my #childrensstory the #bookcoverdesign that would better represent the story inside. Until then, it is available online via #eBook with all the same beautiful #illustrations #children love to see. . . . Link in Bio. . . . #schoolvisit #authorvisit #authors #blackauthor #writer #childrensbook #readingtime #bookreadings #readingaloud #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #Riverside

A post shared by Jennetta Younge (@jennetta_younge) on Apr 15, 2018 at 12:31pm PDT

The Power of a Picture-less Book

I have been a big fan of CBS Sunday Morning since I arrived in America in the late 1970’s.  I liked the show, because the former host, Charles Kuralt, had a wonderful way with words.  Overall, I enjoy how the program introduces its’ audience to the hidden lives of people that are public and yet extremely private.  

On February 21, 2016, I watched the feature on actor and writer B.J. Novak whom I have seen on TV shows, but I never gave him a second thought.  His description of his story, A Book without Pictures, however, grabbed my attention.  I felt, "At last, here is a writer who gets it!"

I am writing about this, because I was recently asked why I had so few illustrations in the book I self-published, “Sammy Ringtail’s Adventure to the Big City.”

On my small island of Antigua, I grew up without much access to books, and none with pictures. Some educators and parents think that all children’s stories should have pictures in order for them to get the meaning of the story.  Children, however, are smarter than most adults think.  

As a former Elementary teacher, I loved reading un-illustrated books to my class.  I found that students got more enjoyment when they were allowed the freedom to create their own imagery of the story.  I believe that this helps to develop childrens' listening and critical-thinking skills.  Therefore, I compliment B.J. Novak for giving writer's permission to create a children's story without pictures, and giving children permission to enjoy it.

What do you think? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear your recommendations for other children's stories without pictures.

About me.

Purchase my latest children's book on Friesen Press.

copyright 2016 Jennetta Younge 

My first author ‪‎interview‬ ever - it's on Theo's Bookshelf!