Author-Illustrator Jena Benton on Oral Storytelling, Jungle Fowl, and More!

Today’s guest is author-illustrator Jena Benton. Talking with her was so inspiring, I had to stop myself from writing down everything she said as a quote to share. Please enjoy her love of language, books, Alaska, community, and creativity. Some Highlights: The impact teachers can have early on, whether to encourage or discourage our creativity. Writing play manuscripts in high school. “Networking is about the friends you make along the way.” Soundproof kid’s corners for loud reading. Book recommendation love and kidlit obsession. Alaskan road systems. The traveling bard revival and why we need more oral storytellers. Cheesecake moments. It is important to have a community to support you through obstacles and let yourself experience the obstacles–be sad–but have a deadline to get back up and keep going. Listening to the music of words.Links Mentioned🔗: Jena’s website Jena on Redbubble Jena on Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Simply7 Interviews Romance Writers of America Sisters in Crime (Mystery Writers) The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) – she is the Illustrator Coordinator for her Alaskan chapter The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge Book Recommendations📚: Kauai’s Call by Jena Benton, illustrated by Kristi Petosa-Sigil only available HERE. Best in Show by David Elliott, illustrated by many people Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Claudia McGehee The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Renata Liwska Interstellar Cinderella Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen Pham A big thank you to Jena for coming on the show and another big thank you to you, listener! Stay tuned for your regularly scheduled podcast later this week with author Emily Dangremond.