Integrating My Love for Writing and Educator Development

As you know, my word for 2026 is INTEGRATE. This month, I'm celebrating another publication milestone and reflecting on why I enjoy writing on topics supporting educators and children. I guess it's safe to say I like to integrate my love for writing with my chosen career in education.

When I first wrote How Flowers Get their Colors, I never imagined the journey it would take me on. This year marks the fourth anniversary of the book’s publication, and reflecting on this milestone brings a deep sense of gratitude and excitement. This book is more than just a story for children; it represents my passion for writing, developing curriculum, and supporting early childhood education through meaningful products. Today, I want to share how this project has shaped my work with educators and families, and why I believe children’s books play a vital role in teacher preparation and early learning.

The Spark Behind Writing for Children

My love for writing began with a simple goal: to create stories that spark curiosity in children. Flowers fascinated me as a child, and I wanted to share that wonder through a story that explains how flowers get their colors in a way that young learners could understand. Writing How Flowers Get their Colors was a chance to combine storytelling with science, making learning fun and accessible.

Creating this book also gave me insight into the challenges authors face in publishing children’s books. From drafting to editing, and then working with illustrators, every step required attention to detail and a clear vision. I learned that writing for children demands clarity, simplicity, and a deep respect for their perspective. This experience has influenced how I approach curriculum development, always keeping the child’s experience at the center.

Connecting Writing with Early Childhood Education

The book’s success showed me how children’s books can be powerful tools in early childhood education. Teachers often look for resources that engage children while supporting learning goals. How Flowers Get their Colors fits perfectly into science lessons, literacy activities, and even art projects. It offers a natural way to introduce concepts like color, nature, classification, counting and observation skills.

Working closely with early educators, I realized that teacher preparation programs benefit greatly from integrating children’s literature into their training. When future teachers understand how to use books effectively, they can create richer learning environments. I have since developed workshops and materials that help educators use How Flowers Get their Colors and similar books to build lesson plans that inspire children’s curiosity and critical thinking.

A fun fact is... When I taught early childhood education at the high school level as a career and technical education instructor, I started each week with a new children's book as our theme. This ritual became one of my students' favorite experiences during each week. They even volunteered, and sometimes argued, over taking turns to read to the class. When this occurred, I knew the idea and approach was a success!

How Flowers Get their Colors

Buy Now

How Flowers Get their Colors: Activity Book & Guide for Children

Buy Now

Supporting the Early Educator Workforce

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been supporting the early educator workforce. Teachers and caregivers are the backbone of early childhood education, yet they often face limited resources and training opportunities. By creating products that combine storytelling with curriculum development, I aim to provide practical tools that make their work easier and more impactful.

For example, I designed activity guides and discussion prompts to accompany this book. These resources help educators engage children in conversations about nature and science, encouraging hands-on exploration. Feedback from teachers has been encouraging. They appreciate having ready-made materials that align with their teaching goals and save them time.

Lessons Learned from Product Development

Publishing How Flowers Get their Colors taught me valuable lessons about the intersection of creativity and education. Here are some key takeaways that might help other authors and educators:

• Focus on the child’s perspective: Children’s books should speak directly to young readers’ interests and experiences. Simple language and engaging visuals make a big difference.

• Collaborate with educators: Teachers provide essential insights into what works in the classroom. Their feedback can shape both the story and the accompanying materials.

• Create versatile products: Books that can be used across subjects and activities offer more value to educators and families.

• Invest in quality publishing: Professional editing, illustration, and printing ensure the book’s message is clear and appealing.

  
  

These lessons have shaped my ongoing work in publishing and curriculum design, helping me create products that truly support early childhood education.

Continuing the Journey

I am grateful to Amy Koch Johnson for her beautiful illustrations and guidance on making my story come to life! As we celebrate four years of How Flowers Get their Colors and the accompanying activity guide, I am excited about the future. I plan to expand the series with new titles that explore other aspects of nature and science. Each book will continue to blend storytelling with educational content, supporting children’s learning and teacher preparation.

I also want to deepen my work with early educators by offering more training and resources. Helping teachers feel confident and equipped benefits children directly. When educators have access to quality children’s books and curriculum tools, they can create learning experiences that last a lifetime.

This anniversary is a moment to appreciate how a single children’s book can connect writing, publishing, and early childhood education in meaningful ways. How Flowers Get their Colors has been a bridge between my passions and a way to support the early educator workforce. For parents and educators reading this, I encourage you to explore children’s books as powerful learning tools. They open doors to discovery, build language skills, and inspire a love of learning in children.

Thank you to all the early learning programs and schools who have purchased How Flowers Get their Colors and invited me to read to your children! It's an honor and a pleasure!