Children’s book author Jane Yolen has passed away.  She was a gifted author, and her books are well known.  She made a huge difference in the lives of children – and me.  I want to honor Jane with my memories of her.

I’d only been teaching a few years when Jane Yolen’s book Owl Moon came out.  It was one of the best.  By that time in the mid-80’s I had already become glued to good books, and very picky.  Buying a book was a big deal on a preschool teacher’s salary, but I bought this book.

Children loved the story, and I read it to them over and over again.  It was late in the fall, and I thought, ‘we could go owling, just like in the book’.  We did!  Parents loved it, and we heard an owl answer back.  This was the first nighttime event anyone had done at school.  Can you imagine being close to the woods at night -at school- calling for owls?

I wrote a blog post about going owling.  Jane read the post and replied,

“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.”

Jane was a presenter at the Eric Carle Museum years later.  Hearing her speak was just wonderful.  Better yet, her daughter was also speaking, and when she talked about Owl Moon I blurted out, “It was you!  You were the little girl in the book.”  She smiled.  The audience did, too.  After the presentation I had a chance to meet and talk with Jane Yolen.  I told her all about going owling with my class after reading her book.

Oh, we talked and talked.  Everyone in line to meet her was fascinated.

I’m a huge fan of Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs books.  I think I’ve read every one, and I often give a stuffed dinosaur along with the book as a gift.

I can’t say enough about the dinosaur books.  They are in rhyme, and perfect for 3-8 year-olds. 

Great writers say important words.  Jane Yolen said:

“Writers have ideas.  It’s what they do with them that counts.”

“We need teachers to turn on the lights for us.  It’s hard to read and write in the dark.”

“The author isn’t important.  Their writing is.“

“Don’t write down to children.  They will know and remember the words.”

Last year I was invited to Jane’s birthday party.  Lucky me!

Here’s the best part; a child in my class who went owling came along to the birthday party.  We were there a little early, so I dragged this shy child, now an adult, up to meet Jane Yolen.  She was scared.  I was not!  Jane remembered the story of going owling, and there she was, meeting one of the owling chldren.  It was a full circle moment!

Rest in Peace, Jane.  You have made a difference.

Jennie