Hello there.

Welcome to my blog! My name is Janelle and I am excited to share this little spot on the world wide web with you! I'm hoping to create an interesting, lively site for kids and their parents, especially those who love books, having fun, and dreaming big.


For many years now, one of my big dreams has been to write for kids. I've written stories, poems, articles, and more ~ a few have even been published in magazines. Recently, I realized that a blog like this would be another way for me to write for... and to... kids.


Now, if you've looked at my profile picture over there on the right-hand side of this page, you can tell that I am NOT a kid. I'm a grown-up. (I do like to believe that I am young at heart, however.)


You may be wondering: Janelle, what could you possibly know about kids? Are you an expert on kids, or what? Well, let me tell you a little about my experience with kids, and I'll let you decide whether I could be called an expert or not.


First of all, I am a mom. I have a daughter named Emmalie (15) and two sons, Nick (12), and Benjamin (5-1/2... You know I have to add that half a year ~ it's a big deal to him!). I am home with them full-time, and it's a rare day when they don't teach me something or other about kids.

Me and my kiddos, 2010

Before I had kids of my own, I worked with children and teens for six years. I was a counselor. I helped kids who had been through some very tough times. I taught them things like how to cope with problems they were having and how to express their feelings in appropriate ways. In the process of teaching them, I learned many, many things from those kids. Especially patience.

Before that, I took several classes about kids, in high school and in college, classes like "Growth & Development of a Young Child" and "Child Psychology". As part of my social work courses in college, I spent about 4 months observing and learning at a child psychiatry hospital. I volunteered at a women's shelter where I was in charge of coming up with fun activities for the kids living there. I also worked at a day care center for several months, and did a lot of babysitting, too.

And before that... many, many years ago now... I was a kid myself. Yep, it's true! I really was. :) Back then, I spent my days reading, writing, climbing trees, riding my bicycle, teasing my little sister, and playing with my friends.

Me and my bike in 1975 (I hated my short hair!)

Yes, I am a grown up. But I do know at least a little bit about kids, and I hope you will enjoy the writing I plan to share with you here. Most of it should be a lot more interesting than all this background information. I promise. Once I get all the necessary explanations out of the way, we'll get to the fun stuff! :)