A Delightful Children’s Book With an Important Message by Janine Gleason. It’s for Sale at Maine Crafts Association, Portland, or on-line from the author for $11.99. It’s Recommended for Children Ages 3 to 6 Years of Age.
Author Janine Gleason Recently Watering Eleven Flower Boxes at the New Waterfront Park on the East End of Portland. Behind Her is the Under Construction Sun Life Building at Portland Foreside.
A Page from “Thank Goodness for You!” A New Children’s Book by Janine Gleason with Illustrations by Canadian Cynthia Frenette. The Cost is $11.99.
Teaching children from all backgrounds to be thankful for what they have and most of all for each other is the positive message in a recently self-published children’s book by east end resident Janine Gleason. Illustrations are by Canadian Cynthia Frenette.
It’s intended for readers from 3 – 6 years of age. The small size of the book is perfect for small hands to hold. The small purchase price, $11.99, is perfect for a small budget.
Author Gleason said she was walking on the Eastern Promenade in January last year and saw two children with their parents. The normal interactions between them inspired Gleason because “little kids are our future,” she said in a recent interview. She wanted to be sure that her message resonated with children who weren’t raised in traditional family structures. She thought about what all children have in common in order to give the book universal appeal.
Before turning her attention to children’s books writing, she worked for 25 years as a toxicologist for the 3M Company and The Clorox Company. That career came after earning a Master’s Degree in toxicology. Her career involved researching information about chemicals for possible health hazards to make certain that labeling of products were accurate.
Gleason also served as an editor for a publishing company in New York City. That experience gave her an advantage when it came to self-publishing this book.
Gleason grew up on a small, dairy farm in Wisconsin. It was a lot of work she said. The oldest of five children, she said: “A farm doesn’t survive unless everyone pitches in.” Her parents are in their 90s and live in senior housing near the farm.. She returns as often as she can to visit them and other family members living in the area. Her mother was a reporter for the local weekly, newspaper in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Gleason said that she has always been an avid reader. It’s ironic that since her marriage, she and her husband who is a business man and a sailor, have traveled extensively overseas. Next stop: Spain.
“I love to write and I hope I’m getting better at telling a good story,” Gleason said. “I didn’t realize how important writing was to me until about five years ago. Stories are powerful. I think about powerful stories that have affected me. That’s one of my inspirations.”. She’s already begun work on two different children’s books for an older age group. Check out her web page: Janine Gleason.com.
So far she has focused on selling her book to Sherman’s Books, 49 Exchange Street in the Old Port. Currently copies of her book are available at Maine Crafts Association. 521 Congress Street. She has just reordered a second printing of this jewel of a book. She expects to receive the order in November – just in time for holiday gift giving..