Author: Deborah Sherrell
Grade Level: K to 2
Presentations: I’m flexible and will perform as many
sessions as needed
Group size: any size group
Equipment needed: Small table and chair. For large groups
only: Microphone and a screen or blank wall for viewing slides.
Email: healingtreearts@yahoo.com
Other Info: AUTHOR WILL BRING HER BOOKS – also from www.amazon.com
From The Author:
Children delight in how I make Baby Lauren and Theodore come alive during my
engaging book reading sessions! Students are given an opportunity to hear the
story in a fun and educational manner as I involve them in an interactive way. The
story, inspired by my daughter Lauren, is based in part on true life events. Most
notable are the vibrant colors of blue and green, which provide an artistic backdrop
for the important life lessons which are imparted to the reader. Being a story about
friendship, love, loss and renewed hope, Baby Lauren and Theodore has been
described as a classic tale that is both heartwarming and instructional.
Meeting an author in person may have a profoundly positive impact on children and
should be encouraged. I believe firmly that “Knowledge is Power,” and that the
only way we as a society can heal social ills is through education. That is why my
personal goal is “to write books that heal, instruct and inspire.” I also believe that
a good foundation is established when learning is fun. As such, playful and
creative elements have been woven into the story. Being careful not to talk down
to my three daughters while raising them, this book is illustrative of that fact
featuring a free thinking main character-- Baby Lauren.
About My Program:
For younger children, immediately following the story, I generally bring seed pods, seeds
and a germinating tree complete with a root system to illustrate how trees regenerate on a
kid-friendly level. Often schools prefer to schedule an additional activity around my book,
such as an optional art project I created that cements the concepts of the three R’s: reduce,
reuse, and recycle. Each book reading session is between 15-20 minutes. Additional time is
required for the art project, if desired.
For older audiences, some of the underlying messages and concepts of the book may be
discussed. A question and answer period is encouraged. I always impart my enthusiasm for
writing and promote journaling and reading, as I realize many students may want to become
a future author. I also speak about different modes of publishing a book, when asked.
Book:
Baby Lauren and Theodore
Baby Lauren has a tree friend she named Theodore, which is
growing in her next door neighbor’s yard. She visits him
every day after school, reading a book with stories about
trees, showing him why his presence is important in our
daily lives. Baby Lauren and her friends playfully enjoy every
season for a year with Theodore until tragedy--in the form of
a thunder storm-- reveals that in life, there is always hope
for a new beginning.
Synopsis: The four seasons are presented through the life cycle of the sugar maple tree to
teach children the valuable role trees play in the environment.
Audience: Ages 2-8
Baby Lauren and Theodore features the following:
-Meets California teaching standards for science, grade one
-Instills a love for nature
-Shows compassion for others and the environment
-Multicultural diversity
-Seemingly simple book with very important and positive messages
-A beautiful narrative about overcoming obstacles
-Perfect for “Green” activities like Earth Day and may be used as supplemental
reading for lesson plans on trees
-Used by Family Therapists for sessions with children
-Placed on a “Recommended Reading List” for United Through Reading
Reviews:
Belma Johnson, HGTV host, producer, and author of an environmental book for adults,
“Easy Green.”
In her literary debut, author Deborah Sherrell has triumphed. She has
full of innocence and heart, mystery and tragedy, and one walloping
readers talking…Like all good children’s books, there’s more to it than
love a child and would like to encourage that child to love nature, this is
crafted a touching love story,
twist that will certainly have
meets the child’s eye…If you
an excellent reader to buy.
Elizabeth Saas, Editor of the Southern Sierran
This prescient and beautiful book…will awaken children to the importance of nature and taking care of
the Earth.
Kathy Carey, Co-editor of Montessori Life, Issue 3, 2008
Theodore is the tree next door…and an excellent example of a sugar maple…The information is
effectively adapted to a young preschooler’s level of understanding.
Adele Marie Luttrell, Family Therapist/Author of the children’s books “Why Me?” and “What
is Wrong With Our Mom?
Baby Lauren and Theodore inspires us to respect and embrace an ever changing life and encourages
us to live in harmony with all living things. This delightful story is sure to touch your heart and speak
to you in a very special way.
Deborah Turner, Publisher—Natural Awakenings Rockland and Orange
Just like a tree has many rings, this book has many layers…It took fifteen years for this book to
germinate and it was worth the wait. I highly recommend this book for children ages 4-12.
Biography:
Deborah Sherrell is a freelance writer and a native of California. She holds a Bachelor of
Science degree from UCLA in a premed major, and has completed post-baccalaureate
studies in medical microbiology, art, and real estate. Motivated by a lifelong love of the
environment, Deborah Sherrell wanted to ensure her book Baby Lauren and Theodore was
printed using chlorine-free, recycled materials. In order to realize this goal, she founded
Healing Tree Arts in 2006, a publishing company committed to creating environmentallyfriendly books that heal, instruct and inspire. Since Baby Lauren and Theodore’s publication,
Deborah has performed fun and educational book readings with children on both coasts.
Deborah plans to publish several more children's books and is currently in the process of
writing two novels which have been inspired by true life events.
© 2015 by The Friends of the Children’s Library; Huntington Beach, CA