It's almost spring!

Jennifer Reed

on February 16, 2009 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As the cold days of winter draw to an end, I am eagerly looking forward to those first signs of spring. In my own backyard, it means anxiously anticipating the blooming of three Japanese flowering cherry trees we planted a few years ago. Their bright, pink blossoms dance in the air as the winds change direction from the north, northwest to south, south west. When The Falling Flowers first came out, I would sit under the trees with book in hand and read to my kids.

This year, I hope to visit Washington D.C. (we live just 2 hours away!) and take in all the beauty of the cherry trees in the city. I also plan on giving some books away for Easter presents (good idea huh?) Another good idea- plant a cherry tree or two in your back yard, or at your school, church or place of business. Cherry trees are beautiful year round!

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"The simple, elegant text by Jennifer Reed is perfectly showcased with Dick Cole's watercolors giving this original story a timeless and universal appeal."

-Children's Bookwatch

Jennifer Reed lived in Japan for three years and was inspired to write, The Falling Flowers after her first spring there. She was in awe of the flowering cherry trees, and the strong bond so often found between Japanese grandmothers and their grandchildren. This relationship reminded her of her own bond with her grandmothers. Today, Jennifer writes children’s books, edits and is a professor of children’s literature, teaching others how to take their inspiration and create lasting stories. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. Several cherry trees grow in her back yard.

Dick Cole is an illustrator and watercolorist with over 30 years of experience. A graduate of UCLA and the Art Center College of Design, Dick has worked as graphic designer, art director, and illustrator in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He has garnered awards from the three cities’ Art Director’s Clubs as well as the San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York Societies of Illustrators.

Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.

Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.