Kirjahaku

It may seem that children born with severe physical handicaps cannot learn and grow like others. Little Lauren proved that misconception wrong. Especially the day she took a field trip with her schoolmates to the fair. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair and could not talk like other children, she conveyed her love for others through her smile and her bright, enthusiastic eyes. She was a little anxious the day her teacher rolled Lauren's wheelchair on the bus for the trip to the fair. There was so much noise and excited laughter coming from the other children on the bus. But the bus driver, another one of Lauren's many fans, comforted her. Once at the fair, Lauren's smile and excitement somehow drew the attention and affection of a special new friend. Everyone surrounding Lauren somehow picked up on the wonderful theme of her young life. This little book is the product of the teacher who took Lauren to the fair, Kimberly Stringer. Kimberly collaborated with another longtime educator, Lila Bartel, who also happens to be a watercolor artist.

It may seem that children born with severe physical handicaps cannot learn and grow like others. Little Lauren proved that misconception wrong. Especially the day she took a field trip with her schoolmates to the fair. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair and could not talk like other children, she conveyed her love for others through her smile and her bright, enthusiastic eyes. She was a little anxious the day her teacher rolled Lauren's wheelchair on the bus for the trip to the fair. There was so much noise and excited laughter coming from the other children on the bus. But the bus driver, another one of Lauren's many fans, comforted her. Once at the fair, Lauren's smile and excitement somehow drew the attention and affection of a special new friend. Everyone surrounding Lauren somehow picked up on the wonderful theme of her young life. This little book is the product of the teacher who took Lauren to the fair, Kimberly Stringer. Kimberly collaborated with another longtime educator, Lila Bartel, who also happens to be a watercolor artist.

What to do about a little boy who loves rocks so much he takes home half the pre-school rock garden in his pockets?Not to worry, says his teacher, "Mrs. Kim," as her students call her. She comes from a long line of rock lovers herself. Besides, she can make a great book about her former student's fascination with rocks of every shape and size.And that's just what Kimberly Stringer has done in "Rocks in My Pocket," her second book. She has more books written and ready to be published. They will all show the wonder, fascination and fun she gets to witness every day in her pre-school in Wichita, KS. Her hands-on curriculum is largely devoted to having students outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and nature. Just like Kim's mother taught her and like Kim has tried to teach her own daughter, (who always seems to find the heart-shaped rocks.)

Every March, as St. Patrick's Day nears, the owner and teacher of a pre-school in Wichita, KS can hardly wait to introduce her students to Leonard the Leprechaun. The imaginary little fellow just wants to have friends, so Author/Illustrator Kimberly Stringer takes her students on a hunt for Leonard through her outdoor classroom. They find messages in balloons while learning the color green. But mostly, they have golden pots full of fun. Their teacher, "Mrs. Kim" (as the world knows her) uses this creative adventure to teach all about kindness to the children. As they tiptoe through the gardens, (because leprechauns have very tiny ears and we wouldn't want to hurt them) the children learn about the reasons for loving all people regardless of size, shape or color. They also learn the value of sharing and of using their imaginations to go on a magical adventure. Leonard the Leprechaun is the first story in the Leonard the Leprechaun Series. As a bonus for parents and teachers, the back of the book contains a suggested week-long curriculum and activities for young students.

What to do about a little boy who loves rocks so much he takes home half the pre-school rock garden in his pockets? Not to worry, says his teacher, "Mrs. Kim," as her students call her. She comes from a long line of rock lovers herself. Besides, she can make a great book about her former student's fascination with rocks of every shape and size.And that's just what Kimberly Stringer has done in "Rocks in My Pocket," her second book. She has more books written and ready to be published. They will all show the wonder, fascination and fun she gets to witness every day in her pre-school in Wichita, KS. Her hands-on curriculum is largely devoted to having students outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and nature. Just like Kim's mother taught her and like Kim has tried to teach her own daughter, (who always seems to find the heart-shaped rocks.)

Author Kimberly Stringer has been following Christian singer Kathy Troccoli since the 1980s. She has attended Troccoli's concerts, conferences, and cruises. While attending one of the early events with the popular singer, Kimberly's twin sister Kara, a speech and language therapist, volunteered to do the sign language for the song, Go Light Your World. That began a personal relationship between the women, the singer, and her staff. As the owner of Kreative Kids Academy in Wichita, Kimberly had always wanted to do a children's book based on the inspiring lyrics to Go Light Your World. After obtaining permission from Troccoli, Kimberly wrote her own "lyrics" aimed at the children in her classrooms. They had already been schooled in the academy's motto, "Never hurt anyone on the inside or the outside." They will already be familiar with the message of this latest children's book by Stringer, beautifully illustrated by Debbie Fleck. In November of 2021, as Kimberly and her husband attended another Kathy Troccoli event in Destin, Florida, the down-to-earth singer and her crew sang Go Light Your World to the Kreative Kids students on FaceTime. They were thrilled and excited. Just like all young readers will be with this book. It should make them eager to carry their own marvelous lights out into a world that longs for kindness and love.