Picture Books by J. Aday Kennedy

J. Aday Kennedy is another one of my online writing friends. I’ve never met her in person. . .yet…but she is so inspiring. She has let NOTHING stand in the way of her dreams or what she believes in. I only tell you this because I want you to see that if you have a dream, do it. Don’t let anything stand in your way. J. Aday Kennedy did not. Here’s her story (from her website): “On a Friday in early March, 1998, Jessica Aday Kennedy awoke with a simple ear ache. It worsened over the weekend, eventually causing her to check into an emergency room where she slid into a nine-day coma. After a brainstem stroke, two resuscitations from heart and respiratory failure, pneumonia, and a
tracheotomy, Kennedy awoke totally paralyzed (a quadriplegic) and unable to speak. Today, she is legally blind, depends upon a ventilator to breathe and has partial use of her left arm and hand. Despite all of the devastation bacterial pneumococcal spinal meningitis caused, Kennedy said she refuses to dwell on her condition.”

So neither will we. . .

On to her books–I am going to share two of them with you today.

Klutzy Kantor By J. Aday Kennedy Illustrated by Jack Foster

In this beautifully illustrated and super cute picture book, Kantor Pegasus is a big klutz. He can’t seem to do anything without falling and tripping. He’s tired of it, and he is trying to figure out a way to become less klutzy. His friend, Agra, tells him about a leprechaun that can grant him a wish IF Kantor can win a riddle duel. Kantor practices for the duel with his friends and gets pretty good at guessing riddles. So he sets off to duel with the leprechaun, who gives him a tricky riddle to solve. Will Kantor solve the riddle and get his wish to not be klutzy anymore?

What children will L-O-V-E about this book are the riddles. It’s what I loved about it, and I tried to figure them out before I read the answers just like kids will, too. The illustrations really bring the text to life–Jack Foster is very talented. The author has also written a teacher’s guide to go with the book, so I won’t repeat a bunch of activities here. But you can find the guide at http://www.jadaykennedy.com/files/TeacherGuideKlutzyKantor.pdf.

Stella, The Fire-Farting Dragon by J. Aday Kennedy Illustrations by Jack Foster
Just the beginning of this book will catch children’s attention and bring smiles to their faces! What an opening. . .

“The Dragon Realms Talent Contest is tomorrow,” Stella Dragon cried. “What am I gonna do?”

Her friend dove behind a rock seconds before fire shot from Stella’s green rear end. The smell of a dozen rotten eggs filled the air.

I love a fun book, and this is what Stella, The Fire-Farting Dragon is! But it is more than just that. Stella is entering a talent contest, and she is nervous. When she’s nervous, she farts. Her friend helps her practice, so that she is great at her talent and won’t fart. So what happens the day of the show? Does the practice pay off? Will Stella keep her gas under control? See, just reading the description probably has you giggling. And once again, Jack Foster has superb illustrations!

You can use this book with kids to help them talk about something they are nervous about, and how to work through their nerves. You can also share a fun book with kids–and some reluctant readers may just discover how fun reading can be!

Both of these books can be purchased on Amazon.com