Jean Reidy's Blog
November 18, 2025
A Fabulous PW Review for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST!
Hooray for more happy news!
Publishers Weekly calls BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST “emotionally generous.” Don’t you just love that? And they absolutely nail it when they say, “The story’s tidily phrased moral (‘Friends get to know friends’) lands on a truth: genuine curiosity builds connection far more powerfully than self-promotion ever could.”
BOB will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February (from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy Jindra Hodgson and me!). But you can give the book an extra boost (and I’d be SO grateful!) by preordering it now. 
Find out more at https://jeanreidy.com/…/bob-is-the-biggest-strongest…/
Happy Reading!Jean
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October 31, 2025
A Terrific Kirkus Review for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST AND SMARTEST!
Look what arrived last weekend! My very first author’s copy for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST. 
And you know what else arrived? The very first review. It’s always a wee bit nerve-wracking waiting for book reviews to roll in. But when the first one does, and it’s from Kirkus Reviews, and it’s terrific, I not only breathe a little easier … but I walk around all day with a silly smile on my face. Kirkus calls BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST “jaunty” and “vibrant,” and they adore Amy Jindra Hodgson‘s art. (I do too, by the way!) But here is one of my favorite reviewer lines: “Modeling the key to making friends, this gentle tale wields its messaging with a whisper rather than a thump.” Bob will be coming to bookstores and libraries in February from Penguin/Rocky Pond Books, Amy, and me! I can’t wait.
To find out more about BOB or to preorder a copy, check out the book page right here!
Happy Reading!
Jean
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September 3, 2025
A Fun Trio For Your Back-To-School Bookshelf!
Are you looking for fresh reads for your back-to-school bookshelf? Try this trio! This series empowers kids to dream big and be the authors of their own life stories, while growing their social and emotional relationships too. Yes, there’s a lot packed into these sweet, little reads. And check out the FREE curriculum and activity guides for all three. These and more can be found at https://jeanreidy.com/.
Happy Reading!
Jean
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Back to School With TRUMAN!
It’s that back-to-school time of year! And new beginnings take courage. If you have a favorite young reader, teacher or librarian in your life who’s heading back to school, this brave little tortoise, TRUMAN, might be the perfect companion!
The post Back to School With TRUMAN! appeared first on Jean Reidy, Children's Author.
May 27, 2025
Cover Reveal for BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST!
Friends, while it’s still 9 months away from hitting bookstore and library shelves, I couldn’t wait to share with you Amy Jindra Hodgson’s adorable cover for our book BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST. It’s about a braggy bear who, with a little less talking and a lot more listening, discovers how it feels when friends get to know friends. Look for Bob coming from Rocky Pond/Penguin in February 2026! YIPPEE!
You can find out more about BOB IS THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST, AND SMARTEST or preorder your copy right here.
Happy Reading!
Jean
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May 14, 2025
It’s Graduation Season!
Let the Graduation Season Begin!
It’s that graduation time of year! And for all your graduates, young and old, I have the perfect gifts. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? and A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO can be found wherever books are sold. (Or simply click on the book covers to see online purchase options.)
Parents and teachers, check out my FREE Graduation Event Kit for fun home or school celebrations: https://jeanreidy.com/…/upl…/2021/04/WWJDBK-Grad-Kit.pdf.
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
xo
Jean
(To find out more about WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? or A BOOK ABOUT YOU AND ALL THE WORLD TOO, or to purchase a copy, click on their covers to be taken to their book pages.)
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November 18, 2024
“Meet the Author” Recordings on TeachingBooks
Dear Readers,
Those of you familiar with TeachingBooks know of the wealth of resources gathered in this treasure trove of literature and learning. There, members can find read-along audiobook performances, hear authors pronounce their names and explore book trailers, curriculum guides, support assignments and so much more.
I’ve been thrilled to have all my books – along with a host of valuable teaching tools – featured on TeachingBooks. But I was especially excited to participate in their “Meet the Author” recordings. At approximately 3-minutes each, these simple recordings allow teachers and librarians to bring the voices of hundreds of authors – talking about one of their titles – right into their classrooms and libraries.
Check out my “Meet the Author” Recordings for TRUMAN, SYLVIE and A GRAND DAY below.
TRUMAN Meet the Author Recording
SYLVIE Meet the Author Recording
A GRAND DAY Meet the Author Recording
I hope you enjoy them.
And to learn more about these or any of my books, please head over to the “Books” page of my website.
Happy Reading!
Jean
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October 5, 2024
Announcing A New Book Deal!
Friends –
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce this new book deal and I’m beyond excited to be working with the brilliant and thoughtful Lauri Hornik at Penguin Rocky Pond AND the amazing and wonderfully talented Lynnore Bontigao. Check out Lynnor’s website at https://www.lynnorbontigao.com/ and get ready to melt while you browse her adorable art. Thank you Erin Murphy and Caryn Wiseman for putting us all together. What a team! 2027 can’t come soon enough!
Happy Reading!
Jean
The post Announcing A New Book Deal! appeared first on Jean Reidy, Children's Author.
September 12, 2024
A Fun Trio For Your Back-To-School Bookshelf!
Are you looking for fresh reads for your back-to-school bookshelf? Try this trio! This series empowers kids to dream big and be the authors of their own life stories, while growing their social and emotional relationships too. Yes, there’s a lot packed into these sweet, little reads. And check out the FREE curriculum and activity guides for all three. These and more can be found at https://jeanreidy.com/.
Happy Reading!
Jean
The post A Fun Trio For Your Back-To-School Bookshelf! appeared first on Jean Reidy, Children's Author.
August 29, 2024
Back to School With TRUMAN!
It’s that back-to-school time of year! And new beginnings take courage. If you have a favorite young reader, teacher or librarian in your life who’s heading back to school, this brave little tortoise, TRUMAN, might be the perfect companion!
The post Back to School With TRUMAN! appeared first on Jean Reidy, Children's Author.
