Children’s Books

Making It Worth It

/ still a dreamer / 4 Comments

I feel like I’m pretty safe in saying that anyone reading this post is at a point in life that if it’s worth doing at all, we want to make it worth it.

Please use your imagination and forgive the “sketch-like” appearance of the above image I created. I had a great school visit last week, and in all the excitement with the kids, we forgot to take any photos.

A school visit will always include a reading of one’s book, Q and A at the end, and some information for the children related to the book. In my case, I have discussed identifying butterflies, facts about them, plus information on the importance of pollinators, to which butterflies belong.

But it all wasn’t exciting ME. What would make ME excited about doing this book visit with “Butterflies”? What did I need to share that would have more value?

What could the story and the butterflies themselves teach? Now I had it!

Three takeaways: Use your imagination, based on our discussing Stella’s amazing interpretation of a butterfly’s appearance; always be kind to animals, based on advising kids never to touch a butterfly’s wings, lest it lose scales and be unable to fly; and embrace change, because life is full of changes, and we can be like the butterfly fighting its way out of the chrysalis, saying, “I can do this”, and “this change will make me stronger.”

Above are the 8.5″ x 11″ placards I made. The takeaways had the attention of these 6-8 year olds. And me.

Life isn’t getting any longer here. I feel a greater need to make whatever I do matter. Especially now. More than ever, we need our compassion and humanity not only intact, but strengthened. I hope I did that for a couple of those kids.

Meandering in A Confused World

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

One of my small daily pleasures each morning once I’ve fed Charlie and made my coffee is to sit by the living room window and do two things – a perusal of Instagram, a gathering if you will, of positive words, thoughts and images (occasionally my own work), and then sharing them in my Stories. Then I journal to clear out the cobwebs, sort out my challenges, put to paper my joys and angst … whatever the day calls for.

While on IG, I always hope that whoever stops by gains some benefit from what I post. We know, vaguely, how the algorithms work; you get more of what you like (almost a corollary of karma, right?), and therefore, I find vast amounts of insight, positivity, and beauty. Some mornings, when I open the app, I am greeted with exactly what I need to know for that day. Because I do believe the Universe works that way.

Sometimes I share things like this, courtesy of @spiritualgoal –

Sometimes I post things I’ve been doing, like the gecko drawing above, or how I’ve redesigned my picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? 2nd Edition. (You can read that in detail here.)

But mostly, I’m sharing insights, inspiration, and the beauty of life.

Inevitably, while I scroll, I come across other things, often in Threads, about our current political circumstances. And sometimes, I drop in and read, because most of what’s really happening is on social nowadays, not the mainstream media. I find life – mental and emotional life – is a balancing act of trying to remain informed and at the same time, keeping my sanity.

It’s why the positivity is so important. Knowing, remembering, how important we are in the larger scheme of things. Even just being centered and loving in this world is a huge contribution. Holding the place of love.

And sometimes I create my own memes. This one’s for you. Just keep holding that light up high.

Book Giveaway!!

/ still a dreamer / 7 Comments

I’d love to give you a signed copy of my beautiful picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night, 2nd Edition, so I am sponsoring a giveaway on Instagram from March 25th – April 10th.

To be considered, you’ll need an Instagram account, and then, just follow this link.

Once on my post, you only need to:
* Like my post ❤️
* Follow me @jeannebalsam
* Comment that you’d like to receive the book

You’re now in the mix to win!

The recipient will also receive 2 bookmarks and a butterfly coloring page. Offer only good in U.S. The winner will be announced the weekend of April 12/13. Due to the prohibitive cost of shipping outside this country, I regret that the offer is only good in the U.S.

Should you wish to purchase the book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? – 2nd Edition is available on Amazon.

When you have a book …

/ still a dreamer / 8 Comments

There’s a kind of almost-glamour that comes with having a book published. People suddenly look at you differently, with a kind of respect, a bit of awe, maybe amazement (they didn’t know you could actually do that!) It’s kind of funny, really.

As if writing the book were the greatest thing ever. But to me, it seems that who I am – who you are – and all the amazing thoughts and dreams we have, is the real deal. The everyday kindnesses we offer, the work we put into healing ourselves and growing so that we may be better humans on this planet – the untold efforts of just staying steady in the midst of so much going on in the world.

Don’t get me wrong. I was thrilled to finally have my picture book “Butterflies” published. And I am thrilled to have produced it myself in the face of my publisher closing their doors. But what I’ve been thinking about lately is how much work it takes to get a book out into the world, and then … all it takes to get the word out that it even exists. It’s daunting, truly daunting. Especially self-publishing.

If you are already published, you know. If you are working towards being published/self-publishing, be forewarned, it’s not for the weak of heart.

I love this book. I want to know that little ones are hearing and smiling to the rhyme and finding all the magical notes in the illustrations. And I will continue promoting it to make that happen. And I have more stories to tell and bring to the world. I have lots to do and will get there. As will you, so take heart and be brave. We can always hold hands on this journey.

Maybe the “news” today was just exceptionally toxic.

Working with An Illustrator

/ still a dreamer / 6 Comments

Yes, my book has a dog! But it didn’t always have one.

“Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?” – 2nd Edition’s text brought the reader into the rich imagination of the little boy who has fallen asleep dreaming. But during the illustration process, Stella asked if we might have a dog. Hmmm. After a not-terribly-long discussion about it and an inquiry as to what kind of dog, I was good with it, and now we have an adorable Beagle pup guiding the young reader throughout the book.

As an illustrator myself, I have a process when I write a picture book – I start the story, visualize it, continue writing, visualize that, and so on. By the time I’ve finished writing the story, I have completely illustrated it in my mind. So one of the challenges in working with an illustrator is that their images, no matter how gorgeous, often contradict what’s already in your mind!

It takes surrendering your own ideas, and trusting someone else to imagine your story. And what a wonderful job Stella did on that. And the Beagley-boy is such a perfect touch.

“Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?” – 2nd Edition is now available on Amazon.