Thursday, October 4, 2012

Review by Editor of Sacramento Parent Magazine


Lessons Learned from a Little Boy

By Shelly Bokman
I read through local author Joanne Veeck’s latest children’s book, We Love You Just the Way You Are, and I must admit I had to hunt down a tissue before I could begin to write about it. This true story of a special needs boy named Adam is filled with honest and heart-felt dialogue between both the adults and children in Adam’s life. We are given a glimpse of his struggles and his parents’ inevitable concerns. We see how his family, teachers and classmates are captivated by his sweet spirit and because of Adam; they learn to see people for who they really are. Filled with compassion, this story shows us the extraordinary gifts Adam offers to his family and friends as they grow to know and love him.
Recently, Joanne read We Love You Just the Way You Are to a 4th grade class. When she finished she asked the children to rate her book from one to five stars. Before any of the children had the chance to even raise their hands, one boy shouted out, “SIX!”
In this climate of increased bullying, We Love You Just the Way You Are, is not only a must read for children—but for teachers of all levels and adults alike. For more information or to obtain a copy of any of Joanne’s books, visit jjhappyhour.com

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Rocklin Author "on a roll"


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Rocklin author Joanne Veeck on a roll
Publishes new book, will read at Sacramento kids’ literacy festival
By Krissi Khokhobashvili, Placer Herald editor
Courtesy
Joanne Veeck, Rocklin author, will read her children’s book “Your Leaves Are Pretty” this weekend in Sacramento. “It’s a wonderful book,” Veeck said, “and I can’t wait to read it to the kids Saturday and Sunday.”
Joanne Veeck’s writing runs the gamut from stories about colorful leaves and children with disabilities to co-authoring a motivational book about success with Deepak Chopra, Dr. Denis Waitley and Jack Canfield, author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Her newest book, published in August, is called “We Love You Just the Way You Are.” It is the story of Adam, a wheelchair-bound boy born with special needs who attends school in a classroom full of young students who never encountered someone like Adam. The children learn to embrace Adam’s differences, thus learning an important life lesson about acceptance.

“It shows that no matter who we are, where we come from and what we have or don’t have, we all have so much to offer,” said Veeck, who has a degree in teaching and studied child psychology and development at San Francisco State.

She’s an advocate for anti-bullying and positive psychology who believes that children should be taught from a young age about happiness and acceptance.

“It’s like when we teach a child to read, every single day, slowly but surely, they get it,” she explained. “…If we were to give them the tools and techniques at an early age, how to soothe themselves and how to be happy, they would get it now.”

Before “We Love You Just the Way You Are,” Veeck published “Your Leaves are Pretty,” which takes place in Sacramento’s Capitol Park. It shows the correlation between trees being uprooted and planted in a new environment to children going to school for the first time.

This weekend, Veeck will be at Fairytale Town in Sacramento, where she’s a featured author for the ScholarShare Children’s Book Festival. The two-day event features dozens of community organizations doing hands-on literacy activities with kids, including learning about Braille and how to use the library. Featured authors will give readings throughout the event on the Mother Goose Stage, including Veeck, who will read “Your Leaves are Pretty.”

“This year, the theme is ‘Fall into Books,’ so Joanne’s book was just perfect because it’s about leaves,” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of FairyTale Town.
Those colorful leaves were illustrated by Alta artist Laurie Barrows, who also did the illustrations for “We Love You Just the Way You Are.”

“I enjoyed doing the trees,” said Barrows, who works in water-based media and also runs the Arts Can Heal program out of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital. “I enjoyed working with a local author, because most of my authors are all across the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, so it was really refreshing to work with somebody local.”

Veeck said she didn’t start writing until she was in her 30s, when out of the blue she decided to dust off some old positive psychology books her father had given her. She started reading them, and soon was reading every inspirational and motivational book she could get her hands on.

That passion has translated into a career as a motivational speaker who presents at schools and colleges. In addition to writing three children’s books, she co-authored “Stepping Stones to Success,” in which she writes about how even though happiness is sought after world-wide, few people reach it, and how happiness is something that can be taught.

Veeck’s books are for sale on Amazon.com and through her website, www.jjhappyhour.com.
Her next project will be a young adult novel based on true events.
At the Children’s Book Festival, Veeck will have a booth where she’ll talk to parents and children about compassion, in addition to giving readings.
“It really is a great event,” Fleming said. “It’s really fun just to see people excited about reading, and in pretty much every corner of the park you’ll see little kids with their grownups reading books. It really is exciting.”

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Largest Early Childhood Literacy Event in Sacramento

September 29 at 10:00am until September 30 at 4:00pm

Join Fairytale Town and several local organizations for the largest early childhood literacy event in our region! 

The ScholarShare Children’s Book Festival features ongoing author and illustrator performances on the outdoor Mother Goose stage, free hands on literacy activities, a book fair and multiple booths from local literacy and arts organizations. 

This year's featured children's book authors and illustrators include: Bob Barner, Felipe Davalos, Dorina Lazo Gilmore, Sandy Lynne Holman, Heather Leigh, Michael Slack, Kenneth Spengler, Bethany Telles, Joanne Je ffers Veeck and Dawn Wynne. Hope to see you there!

Press Release - We Love You Just the Way You Are


                    For Immediate Release
                    tan book cover02.jpg

                Joanne Veeck’s latest children’s book:

                 We Love You Just the Way You Are

Filled with compassion, We Love You Just the Way You Are, a new children’s book, written by Joanne Veeck (author of Your Leaves Are Pretty, The Greatest Gift of All and co-author of Stepping Stones to Success), is not only a must read for children but for teachers of all levels/credentials and adults alike.  This true story is centered on Adam, a special boy from northern California, who was born with rare disabilities and the profound effect he and his life has had on an entire community.  With so few cases of Adam’s exact medical condition and special needs, worldwide, no one, including Adam’s doctors, was completely sure of what to expect. The love and care Adam has been given over the years is remarkable; but you’ll find the gifts Adam has offered to his family and friends to be truly extraordinary!

Joanne Veeck is an author, educator and keynote speaker. With over 17 years of research, she specializes in the topic of Positive Psychology. Joanne has proven that, when given the proper tools and techniques, happiness and overall well-being is completely attainable and should no longer be perceived as a lifelong goal. She is passionate about helping people of all ages, and her books are proof!

Recently Joanne read We Love You Just the Way You Are to a 4th grade class. When she finished she asked the children to rate her book from one to five stars. Before any of the children had the chance to even raise their hands, one boy shouted out, “SIX!” Read and feel the difference one woman can make!

For more information or to obtain a copy of any of Joanne’s books, visit:
www.jjhappyhour.com or email her at joanne@jjhappyhour.com.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Saturday, Feb. 4th - Reading of New Children's Book

I will be holding an author's signing event and reading my new children's book, Your Leaves Are Pretty, at Avid Reader, in Sacramento, on Saturday, Feb. 4th, at approximately 2:00 p.m. This heart-warming story is for children, ages 4-9 and is based on actual events surrounding the developments of the Capitol Park in Sacramento. It's filled with fun facts, has an invaluable message for both children and adults and the audience will be sure to fall in love with the characters! For more information, visit my website: www.jjhappyhour.com. It will be a lot of fun and there might be a surprise for each child that attends. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Children's book ~ Your Leaves Are Pretty

Hello Friends,
I am happy to tell you that my second children's book, Your Leaves Are Pretty has recently been published and is now available, if you're interested in obtaining a copy. It is a fictional, heart-warming and inspiring story. The setting is the Capitol Park in Sacramento and the story is based on the trees that were brought in from all over the world and their challenges of being re-planted in a foreign land. It is based on actual events, has some fun facts and a valuable message to both children and adults. I worked closely with a local children's illustrator, Laurie Barrows and a great editor, Tracy Johnson. Reading ages are 5-10. To purchase a copy or for more information, contact me, joanne@jjhappyhour.com or go directly to Createspace.com/3748800 or Amazon.com. (I've heard the shipping and handling is less through Createspace. )The cost is $10.95.
I will also keep you posted on my third children's book, We Love You Just the Way You Are, scheduled to be released in March of 2012.
As always, thanks for your interest and support!
Have a very happy new year!
Joanne