Author releases sixth children’s book
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PARKERSBURG - A retired teacher and writer from New Martinsville has released her sixth children's book.
Jan Thornton Jones' "Summer Is Calling" is the companion to "Autumn Is Calling" published in 2024. The books are about a young girl who lives in Appalachia and learns about its history and culture.
Children need to be both entertained and educated by a book, Jones said.
"I love this area of West Virginia with its rich history and beautiful seasons," Jones said. "I think it's important that we teach our children about the rich history and arts that are found in the Appalachian region."
"Summer Is Calling," released in September, is the story of Katie and her cousin Tommy who visit their grandparents on their farm where grandma reminisced about growing up. Katie and Tommy decide to do some of the same things and embark on an adventure chasing butterflies in the meadow, playing on a tire swing, catching crawdads and watching fireflies at night.
Along the way they learn about the first settlers and things about the crawdads and the fireflies.
"Summer is Calling" won first place Children's Book at the Paris Book Festival this year. "Autumn is Calling" has also received awards including Honorable Mention in the 2024 Paris Book Festival and in 2025 at the London and Los Angeles book festivals.
Katerina Boyer Case of Weston illustrated both books.
Jones was an early childhood teacher and continues to read and discuss her books with students.
"Angel In the City Park," her first, is a faith-based book about a child trying to help the homeless people in her community. It is suitable for preschool through 4th grade, she said.
"Last Letter To Gettysburg" is a middle-grade reader about Levi, a young man who lives in Gettysburg during the Civil War. Levi meets President Lincoln when he comes into Gettysburg to dedicate the cemetery.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and excerpts of Levi's late father's letter are referenced in the book to show why men fought in the war.
"Why Me?" is an early childhood book about an active and impetuous boy who gets in trouble and learns his actions have consequences and to stop and think before he jumps into a situation that can cause a problem.
"Super Helper to the Rescue" is a rhyming book for early childhood. A young boy decides he would like to be a super hero, but cannot fly or fight bad guys like other super heroes.
He decides that he can be a super helper and learns he can be a helper at home and at school. The book also is illustrated by Case.
Jones' books are available at The Book Store in New Martinsville, The Cellar Door in Sardis. Amazon.com or at janjonesbooks.com. The 32-page hardback published by Headline Books is $15.65 on Amazon.