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Welcome: Kids, Parents, and Educators!

Please stay a while and see some exciting things on my pages.

Click here for the Zoom program contract

Recommendations:

Avast ye landlubbers, it’s Jan Peck in the last week of May! We celebrate the last days of school with a pirate-themed treasure hunt that’ll make even Blackbeard jealous. The kids love it so much, they’re starting to talk like pirates. Arrr, matey!

But wait, there’s more! We use Jan’s books to teach those fancy Texas state benchmarks for literature. The kids get so inspired, they’re putting on puppet shows and writing their own plays.

And let me tell you, having Jan visit on Zoom is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. It’s a treasure for the kids and a real treat for me. I highly recommend Jan Peck’s visits. She’s an educational treasure that’ll make your classroom curriculum shine brighter than a chest full of doubloons.–Mrs. Moon, Librarian for Hazle Elementary School Texas.

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My class celebrated Jan Peck week in May each year. Her books lend themselves well to teaching/learning the Oregon state benchmarks for literature for kindergarten and elementary. We would end the week with a Zoom visit from Ms. Peck.

The Way Down Deep program inspired students to reenact the story in our puppet theater and use their newly developed writing skills to create original shows to perform. This program also served as a kick-off event for our animal research projects.

And, the students were delighted with the opportunity to play pirates with their favorite author during the Pirate Treasure Hunt program. It was a real treasure for me to hear the children saying Aaaarrrreading and, later, overhearing a request from one to another, “Say it like a real pirate, like Jan Peck.” I can’t recommend Jan Peck’s visits enough.

She is an engaging educator and an enriching asset to the classroom curriculum.  -Diana Fitzer, Kindergarten teacher, Retired

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“Jan Peck’s virtual visit was a highlight of our school year! The kids loved the interactive reading and activities.” – Ms. Smith, 2nd Grade Teacher.

*****************************************************************************An Unforgettable Zoom Visit with Jan Peck!

As your school librarian, I am thrilled to share our amazing experience with author Jan Peck!

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea The students were captivated by Jan’s vibrant, interactive, enchanting underwater adventure. This book truly brought the ocean to life, sparking curiosity and imagination in every child as they acted out the story!

Pirate Treasure Hunt Jan’s lively and interactive reading had everyone on the edge of their seats. The students loved dressing up like pirates and the swashbuckling quest for treasure, and it was a fantastic way to engage their adventurous spirits!

Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul: The heartwarming story Jan shared touched everyone. This true story of kindness and resilience was perfect for fostering empathy and inspiring our young readers.

I highly recommend booking a Zoom visit with Jan Peck. Her dynamic presentations and delightful stories are a wonderful addition to any school program!  – Christy Hanson, Librarian Kentucky.

Videos from my YouTube Channel:

 

This is a technique I’ve used first with my own son. He learned to read before he was three, then I also used it with my grandson who also learned to read before age three.  It’s based on how the brain works and Mr. Jim (Dr. James Thomas) taught this in his early childhood literacy classes.

This is a song I learned from Mr. Jim, an early childhood educator.  It works like a charm. I used it on my grandson, and it would put him right to sleep.  As he got older, he would try to stop me from singing it, saying, “Stop, Grandma,” but then he would fall asleep immediately as I sang the song.  Here’s Mr. Jim singing the song with the heartbeat pat.

Thank you, Joshua!  Such a fun and hilarious reading by a very smart, exuberant boy and his patient, loving father!

Literacy Day at the Dallas Zoo

Educational First Steps “Literacy Day” at the The Dallas Zoo. We had such a great time sharing the importance of literacy to parents and children as we gave away books to every child. Special thanks to Gustavo E Monsante, who took wonderful photos of the whole event!

Jan is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the past Regional Advisor for the North Texas Chapter, and a former freelance editor for Boys’ Life Magazine. Jan has won awards for her books, including The Green Prize for children’s poetry for THE GREEN MOTHER GOOSE.

Jan is in big demand for her dynamic presentations, featuring her books and getting kids excited about reading and writing their own amazing stories.

 

 

Jan aims to have the most interactive, encouraging, and inspiring program you’ve ever experienced!

She resides in Fort Worth and cares for “The Nest,” a writing retreat for authors, storytellers, musicians, artists, and kids!

Books by Jan Peck:

  • Giant Peach Yodel (Pelican Publishing Company)
  • The Green Mother Goose, written by David R. Davis (Sterling Publishing Company)
  • Way Out West on My Little Pony (Pelican Publishing Company)
  • Pirate Treasure Hunt! (Pelican Publishing Company).
  • Way Far Away on a Wild Safari (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
  • Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
  • Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
  • The Giant Carrot (Dial Books for Young Readers)
  • The Ballerina Princess (About You! Books)
  • The First Christmas (About You! Books)
  • The Time Travelers (About You! Books)
  • “The Perfect Dog” in the best-selling anthology Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul.
  • Also, stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Boys’ Life, Humpty Dumpty, and Turtle magazines.
  • Short stories in the anthologies Distant Lights and The Neighborhood Nine, published by Boyds Mills Press.
I first started writing in
3rd Grade!

I wrote about my pet turtle, Peppy, who escaped from his bowl and was lost in our house for a month.  My mother found him when she opened the door and cracked his shell.  But his shell was like a fingernail and grew back.  Whew!  We were so glad Peppy remained peppy and ready for more adventures!

Write and tell me about your super powers!  They can be things like taking care of pets or playing an instrument.  Or even being a good listener!