Although I missed the book launch for today’s Perfect Picture Book, I was able to obtain a copy in time to feature it now. Enjoy!
Title: Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen’s First Great Story
Written By: Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Illustrated By: Madelyn Goodnight
Publisher/Date: Charlesbridge/2025
Suitable for Ages: 5-8, and older
Themes/Topics: writing, biography, non-fiction, theater, creativity, persistence, imagination
Opening:
The night before play rehearsals began, Janie couldn’t sleep.
She imagined grand sets and soaring music, exciting dances and catchy songs. And most importantly, a great story.
Janie loved a great story.
Brief Synopsis: Based on the true story of Jane Yolen’s first play.
Links to Resources:
· Try writing, and performing, a short skit or play with friends or classmates;
· What is your favorite thing to do? Write a short description of it, reasons others should try it, or instructions on how best to do it;
· Try these theater games and activities.
Why I Like this Book:
For those of us who have read and enjoyed many of Jane Yolen’s 400+ wonderful books for children and adults, today’s Perfect Picture Book is a timely reminder that everyone’s career starts somewhere. I love how Stemple begins this story of a talented and prolific writer by showing young Janie’s imagination in action, her habit of reading stories meant for older children and jotting down words she didn’t understand, and her publication of a newsletter for residents of her apartment building.
Even those few who may not be familiar with Jane’s vast body of work will enjoy this story. Stemple shows readers Janie’s disappointment at the lack of a “rising plot” and “satisfying ending” in the play the class was set to perform. And Stemple shows us how young Janie reacted by staying up late to write a new play that had the essential plot components.
While the focus understandably is on Janie and her determination to write and perform in a great play, I think adult readers will appreciate that Janie’s actions didn’t happen in a vacuum. Her parents encouraged her love of literature. Her mother typed the apartment building’s newsletters, and her brother wrote articles for it. Her teacher “appreciated and supported her students’ work”, so she pivoted and agreed to stage Janie’s play.
Janie’s determination and talent, combined with this support, helped make Janie’s play a success. And as Stemple reminds us at the end, “Janie never stopped loving a great story”, nor did she ever stop writing.
Stemple, as many of us know, is Jane Yolen’s daughter, a renowned and talented writer in her own right. I love how she was able to step back and craft a story about her mother in a way that resonates with kids and adult readers. I especially love how she wove in references to some of Yolen’s notable books and series.
Goodnight furthers Stemple’s references to Yolen’s body of work, especially in the bookcase-filled endpapers. And she surrounds young Janie with swirling text and imaginative images, offering readers a glimpse into writing inspiration and the creative process.
A Note about Craft:
Janie Writes a Play is “based on” an occurrence in the childhood of Jane Yolen. Presumably, the details have long been forgotten. But the essence of the incident remains: hard work, passion, confidence, persistence, and the support of loving adults lead to success, and, in this case, a lifelong career.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 