Janet Heller - a podcast by Unknown

Celebrate Moon Day with Award-Winning Illustrated Children?s Book

(GRAND RAPIDS) Storytellers for centuries have told exciting and imaginative stories of the moon from ancient tales to space exploration and aliens attacking from the unknown, which is why people landing on the moon for the first time was such a monumental moment for all of mankind. Moon day is celebrated every year on July 20 to commemorate this exciting event. For many cultures the stars, moon and planets play an important role in their day-to-day lives. Thousands of Native American stories have been written about the moon, including many that cover relevant topics that exist today like bullying. Nearly 75 percent of U.S. students will eventually fall victim to bullying done by acquaintances, classmates, or even kids from across the country, but no matter where they are from they can seriously damage the victims? self-confidence.

An award-winning illustrated children?s storybook by Janet Heller, How the Moon Regained Her Shape (Sylvan Dell Publishing), is a tool that allows parents and educators to discuss bullying with children. Influenced by Native American legends, Heller?s story portrays a full moon who shrinks due to bullying. Through the book, bullied children learn how to rebuild their self-esteem.

How the Moon Regained Its Shape is a favorite in the children?s fiction category, having recently won a Children?s Choices award for 2007 as well as the 2007 Benjamin Franklin Award in the category of Interior Design--Children's/Young Adult. Most recently, the book won a Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Children's Book Award competition for a Picture Book for 4- to 8-Year-Old Children.

Janet Heller was born and raised in Milwaukee and currently teaches for the English and Women?s Studies Departments at Western Michigan University. Heller has a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. Many media outlets have published Heller?s works that include 2 books, 38 literary articles, 150 poems and numerous reviews. She is a member of the Society of Children?s Book Writers and Illustrators and is President of the Michigan College English Association. How the Moon Regained Her Shape also won a Book Sense Pick in 2006.

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