Jean Baur's Blog

It may seem like a small thing, but being read to is powerful. It’s a bond between the reader and the child, and a journey into the world of the book. Even a simple board book like my “What Do Toes Do?” is an invitation to relax, enjoy, be together. As I like to say, this little book is making a big difference. It’s being given to mothers at a workshop on parenting and literacy, and today, I’m dropping off 30 copies for Alliance for Family Support. They do amazing work–here’s a quote from their website:

“We are a collaboration of established Home Visiting Programs that have served our community for many years. Our focus is to provide the support needed by families in Eastern Connecticut. Locally and nationwide, home visiting professionals have helped parents and other caregivers cope, learn, grow, and thrive in the most important role they have ever had.”

If you’re in the Mystic area, please come to my book event at Bank Square Books. All details are included in this link:

Lastly, here’s my library director and her son having a blast with “Toes!”

My new board book, “What Do Toes Do?” is getting around. Last week it showed up at an event run by The Elks–a Community Baby Shower. And here’s a photo of the director of my local library reading my book to her son.

And it’s now for sale at several more places, including my hair salon, Salon Nevieve in Mystic, Seaside Pharmacy in Dunn’s Corner (Westerly), and 401 Fitness also in Westerly.

Highlight of the week–my son sent my book to his best friend from childhood–he and his wife just had their first baby–and they sent me a photo of the baby in his crib with “Toes” right by his side. Does it get any better than that?

Yesterday I stopped by my local library, and as the staff and I chatted about my book, the director asked me if I knew about the Community Baby Shower sponsored by The Elks. Here’s what they write about it on their website:

“Access to books is an important factor in children’s literacy, yet in many of the same low-income areas where diaper need is high, so is the need for books. One study shows that in low-income communities, there is an average of one book per 300 children. This is in stark contrast to middle-income communities, where, on average, there are thirteen books in a single home.” (https://www.elks.org/SharedElksOrg/enf/files/CommunityBabyShower.pdf)

The Elk’s Community Baby Shower in my area is in early November, and my wonderful library is going to buy several of my books to donate to them. I told them I’d match whatever they donate and would also volunteer for the event to do story time or sign copies or whatever they need. 

I’ve only got two weeks to go on my Kickstarter Campaign, so if you’re thinking about it, and if you’re able, I’d love your support. Stay tuned for a video of me reading “What Do Toes Do?” to my two dogs!

My pallet of books which weighs 215 pounds is on its way. It doesn’t look exactly like this, but you get the idea. The books are coming! I started working on “What Do Toes Do?” back in the late winter, and now, about 7 months later, the books will arrive. How exciting is that? 

Why do I hope you’ll support my campaign? Giving away books is a privilege and no matter what happens I will do it. I’ve already committed to giving books to all the libraries in my state, to a NICU in Springfield, MA, and to Read to Grow–a wonderful nonprofit that gets books to families who can’t afford them. And I’m sending books to my talented illustrator in Indonesia, and giving others to those who helped me along the way including several staff members of my local library. 

I will sell some of my books, too, at my local bookstore and at craft fairs, story times, etc. Between those sales and my Kickstarter Campaign, I will be able to afford to begin work on the next book in the series, which might be “What Does Your Nose Do?” I will, of course, use the same illustrator–she is wonderful. So if you can, please think about being part of something special and your generosity will live on in all the babies and toddlers who receive the books. 

I am surprised. I’ve been teaching workshops for library staff for almost ten years and I didn’t see this coming. An organization that I often work for asked me if I’d like to have them get a copy of my book into every library in my state. I said Yes! So part of my donations will go to libraries, as I’m also comitted to giving the book to hospitals–especially those with a NICU–and literary organizations that serve families who want books but can’t afford them. All I have to do is to deliver about 150-180 books (once they arrive) and they’ll ship them out. Now that is a gift and a wonderful example of how one thing (I said I’d give away half my print run) leads to another (their generosity.) Thanks to all who have already pledged to my campaign. It means so much!

I always find it a bit startling when Daylight Savings ends and it starts to get dark around 4:30 in the afternoon. So to help myself, and hopefully a few others, here are ten things to consider.

1. Dark can be peaceful, even restful. Don’t fight it.
2. The mornings are bright and welcoming.
3. It could be time to get out those cozy blankets and throws.
4. Notice one thing that you like about dusk.
5. If you’re feeling sad about less outdoors time, start an indoor project.
6. Make soup–this almost always works for me–and share some with a neighbor.
7. Learn from animals–this photo of my dog, Rudy, says it all.
8. I know this sounds like a cliche, but light a candle and put on music you like.
9. Read a good book. If this hasn’t been something you’re already doing, visit your local library.
10. Hibernate–yes, I know we can’t really do that, but let your body adjust to a different time.

Maybe “harvest” is too grand a word for my little garden, but here we are in mid-September and my very long string beans and my cherry tomatoes have given me another wonderful bounty. I’ve come to think of the way I garden as “benign neglect”, meaning that I plant things, care for them, but then step aside and let them do what they want to do. It’s a little like raising children. Or writing a book. Effort and then no effort. Waiting. Thinking of other things. And the best part is that it’s always surprising. For example, a few weeks ago I realized that nasty vines were invading my roses. I put on my gardening gloves, yanked out as many as I could reach, got stuck by the thorns in the process, but now have two rose bushes that are so full of blooms I can’t keep up with them.

Patience is not one of my best qualities, but my fall harvest tells me wait, keep an open mind, and maybe, just maybe if I’m lucky, something unexpected will show up.