Jane Yolen is one of the most esteemed authors of children’s books. Her dinosaur books are extremely popular and familiar to many.
She turned 86 this week, and I was invited to her birthday party!
In order to tell you about this wonderful party, I have to back up to 1987/1988. It’s a good story.
It happened like this…
I had been teaching for a few years, still a new teacher. Children’s books were the best part of teaching, because good literature opens the door for, well, learning about everything.
Thank goodness I figured that out.
I discovered a wonderful new book back then, Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen. I couldn’t get enough of this book. The children felt the same way. I had to expand on the book. We made paper bag owls, and we went ‘owling’ at school.
At night. In the dark.
A parent brought a spotlight. We practiced owl calls. The area beyond the playground is wooded, so we were silent and hopeful that night. Yes, we heard an owl return our call!
Fast forward thirty years.
Jane and her daughter, Heidi, were presenting at the Eric Carle Museum. I jumped at the chance to meet Jane. In the presentation, Heidi talked about going ‘owling’ with her father. I blurted out, “So it was you! You were the child in the story.” She smiled. Fortunately the audience didn’t glare at me. Perhaps they did and I didn’t notice.
After the presentation, I was able to meet Jane and tell her about going ‘owling’ at school, and how much her Owl Moon meant to me.
Yes, Jane and I we were in a deep conversation.
I asked the museum to send a note to Jane from me, thanking her. This was her reply:
“In the end of course, fame and fortune don’t matter. It’s the child remembering your story with great fondness that is important. Only that.”
Fast forward to the birthday party this week.
One of my students from the ‘owling’ event was attending, so I grabbed her hand and dragged her to meet Jane, so that Jane could see a child who was ‘moved’ by one of her books, many years ago. Jane smiled.
Jane is a storyteller! So was her father. Her daughter, Heidi, heard all those wonderful family stories growing up – especially the story of Jane as a child writing her first great story, a play.
Finally, Heidi turned Jane’s story into a book, Janie Writes a Play.
Heidi read the story aloud with Jane beside her. She warned us that her mom might interrupt and have to tell a story. She was right. Jane had to stop and tell stories. Every story has a back story, right? Jane is just like her father. She told the audience a long and riveting story about her father who was the kite flying champion of the Western Hemisphere, and then became the International kite flying champion. The New York Times was part of the story. You could have heard a pin drop, followed by great laughter.
Jane told about books and reading as a child. Every book in her house was available for her to read. If she didn’t understand a word, she asked her father. He must have been like Auntie Mame. That made me smile.
The stories continued, from the endpapers to the illustrations, adding to this wonderful new book.
Happy Birthday, Jane!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Owl Moon has always been a family favorite. So I was thrilled and moved to read this post today!
Awww… I’m so glad. Such a wonderful book, and to think I connected with the author. Thank you, Barb.
What a delightful post Jennie, and such an honour to attend such a wonderful celebration of a Birthday with Jane.
Thank you for the lovely back stories of your own in this post… Once a story teller, always a story teller.. And While I have not read Janes wonderful books, I can feel just how much love was poured into writing them, by the enthusiasm that you bring.
I hope you have a wonderful week, with lots of more story time with wonderful books..
Much love your way Jennie xx ❤
That’s so nice of you to say, Sue! Thank you. 🥰
😊😘💕
I love owl moon, and so did my students! how very lucky that you were able to come full circle with your connection to Jane and can’t wait to read her new book. your attendance at her party with your former student made her day, I’m sure –
It’s such a great book. I knew you must have read it to your students. Yes, the connection with Jane was amazing, and coming full circle with the former student must have been because of something in the universe. Meant to be, right?
absolutely so –
😀
How marvelous! Thanks for sharing this special memory.
Thank you, Pam. I’m so glad you enjoyed this.
What a wonderful post, Jennie. I’m so happy you were able to connect these important events in such a rich and personal way. I also love hearing about the generations of stories Jane and Heidi had to share. I hope you have a wonderful week. If this comment is duplicated, it’s not my fault.
That’s so nice of you to say, Dan. So many connections, generations, and stories here. Lucky me! Many thanks, and you did not have a duplicate comment.
How special to have met and chatted with this awesome author and then to attend her 86th birthday party!
Yes, indeed! 😀
How does a Dinosaur say goodnight has been a favorite with my grandsons for years and years.
Happy Birthday, Jane!
It’s one of her best books! I’m so glad it’s been a favorite with your grandsons!
as you say Jennie that’s a lovely post…. And the look on your face says it all you look so proud and happy 😊😊😊😊
Thanks so much, Willow. Yes, you can tell. 😀
Happy Birthday to Jane! My two daughters looooved “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night.” Probably like tons of other kids 🙂
Yes, a zillion kids love all the Dinosaur books…thank goodness!
My heart is full! Thank you for sharing, Jennie. 🥰💕😊
I’m so glad, Vicki. Thank you! 🥰
Xo! 🥰
What a wonderful post, Jennie! Jane Yolen has a marvelous gift to delight readers, young and old, with her books.
A beautiful story, Jennie. Thank you.
Thanks so much, John.
😊
Oh, Jennie! I can’t tell you enough how this touched my heart today! Jane Yolen’s books have been some of my favorites–particularly, “Owl Moon”! The backstory, your connection, her daughter’s book,….and then you and a student attending the party! My heart is about to explode! Happy birthday, Jane! Way to go, Jennie! Two inspirations indeed! Much love and hugs! ❣️❣️💚💚
Karla, I’m so glad this touched your heart. For a lover of “Owl Moon”, this is a full circle story over many decades. What a treat it was to be there at her birthday party! There were so many stories here, my heart nearly exploded, too. 😍
❣️❣️❣️🤗
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You’re so lucky to meet wonderful authors like Jane Yolen. I loved her book, “Owl Moon.”
Yes, I was very lucky. I’m so glad you loved “Owl Moon”, too.
By all means, Happy Birthday to Jane! ❤
😀
Sweet, Jennie.
Happy Birthday, Jane
Thank you, Don.
Oh, this story about stories has put such a big smile on my face!
I’m so glad, Liz!
Wow, that is so awesome. I love stories about reading and books. We had Jane’s dinosaur books, my son was a dinosaur fanatic. I think I still have at least one or two on the bookshelf in my basement. I will have to look and read them to my grandkids when I get home. Thanks for sharing this awesome story, Jennie.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this story, Carla. What an amazing adventure with an author over decades. I hope you find those dinosaur books to read to your grandson.
This so lovely the life of a story through the ages….Happy Birthday to Jane x
I love your words, Carol, ‘the life of a story through the ages’. Many thanks!
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I smile about every story has a back story. It’s wonderful to celebrate Jane’s 86th birthday. Wonderful share, Jennie!
Thank you, Miriam. I love backstories, too. I’m glad this made you smile.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I wrote the back story at the end of my children’s book also.
😀
My favorite book by Jane Yolen is The Emperor and the Kite. Must have read it to my kids a hundred times.
Yes! I love that book. I’m glad the post brought back memories for you.
They look like cool books! I wanna be a kid again. Ha ha!
They are terrific! You can definitely be a kid again. 😀
How fun it must have been to learn that the author was the little girl in the story. I remember lots of kids checking out Jane’s dinosaur books.
I vividly remember that ah-ha moment. She is such a great writer. Every year our school has a big auction, and I always donate a signed dinosaur book along with a plush dinosaur. Very popular!
Beautiful and excellent post Jennie. So nice to meet your friend and children love these stories so much 💕
Yes, and yes! Thank you, Kamal.
Such a delightful, feel-good story, Jennie. That is definitely your kind of birthday party!
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, it is! You know me well. Thank you, Pete.
Great books
Yes! And thank you.
You are the most Jennie 💖
Sorry you are always welcome
🙂
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Amazing!
Yes! Thank you.