Meet the Author
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler was raised in West Point, a small town in the Tidewater region of Virginia. From the moment she submitted her first short story to a young author’s contest in second grade, Rebecca knew she wanted to be a writer. Her love of writing led her to earn a BA in English and an MEd in English education. She spent several years as a high school teacher, during which she also developed a passion for mental health advocacy. Rebecca completed an MA in professional counseling and now works in the school-based mental health field and as a college adjunct psychology instructor.
Rebecca also teaches yoga for the young and the young at heart, and she likes to infuse yoga and breathwork in her counseling practice wherever she can. She believes the most valuable use of her time is teaching youth how to love and care for each other and the world around them. Her stories share her focus on positive relationships and a love of nature. Rebecca now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and two spoiled Siamese cats. When Mama Grows with Me is her second yoga-inspired picture book. Her first is When Daddy Shows Me the Sky. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccawwheeler_author and www.rebeccawwheeler.com.
Details
Format: Paperback, Hardcover
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-958754-65-8
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-958754-64-1
Pages: 32
Release date: 9/19/2023
Endorsements
“This lovely book is a testament to the power of simple, mindful acts. When Mama Grows with Me plants a seed and helps children grow more attuned to themselves and the rhythms and beauty of the natural world.”
—Mary Quattlebaum, author of Jo MacDonald Had a Garden and Brother, Sister, Me and You
“A beautifully descriptive read. Including interesting gardening facts for children, this book is designed in an interactive way that will be loved by all members of the family. Poignant and thought provoking—a real winner!”
—Shelly Mack, author of The Turtle and the Spider and Landis
“This book brings the natural world to life through the seasons. The characters nurture plants from seeds to flowers, and there are playful connections with insects and animals as the characters emulate the world they see through yoga! As the story unfolds, readers learn about being connected to nature, and themselves, with patience.”
—Jeana Myers, PhD soil science, gardener, and extension educator
“Rebecca is masterful at recognizing the connection yoga grows among family members. When Mama Grows with Me incorporates a kind respect for nature, utilizes yoga poses to maintain a healthy mind and body, and recognizes the importance of delaying gratification. There is genuine love, honor, and compassion on each page. The family using the text will be blessed physically, socially, and emotionally with each read. My children and I grew by utilizing her first book, and I cannot wait to continue that growth with Rebecca’s second book!”
—Fred Hoffmann, public educator, YogaFit master trainer
“I really loved reading When Mama Grows with Me, a brightly colored picture book full of beautiful illustrations and wonderful lessons for little ones. There is so much to be learned from nature, and Rebecca Wheeler shares many interesting facts through a loving story of a child gardening with Mama. Along the way, there are also excellent lessons on emotional health as well as relaxation techniques learned through fun yoga poses. In a world where children have so much screen time every day, a book like this one is extremely valuable and important as it encourages outside time, a love of beauty and nature, and spending time with family. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves and interacts with children!”
—Stacey Bartlett, author of Free Sings the Sea
“Rebecca Wheeler’s When Mama Grows with Me is a thought-provoking story about character growth in combination with growth in the garden. This beautiful story will help a child to understand the delicate balance of nature as it correlates to the delicate balance of inner growth in little minds. The lovely illustrations by Katherine Jordan bring this story to life through her artful beauty of nature. This is a fun read for children and adults.”
—Lori Keating, author of The Memory Quilt
Meet the illustrator
Kate Jordan has done just about everything that has to do with art: drawing, painting, weaving, ceramics . . . even ink printing and bookbinding! But if you ask her what her favorite out of the bunch is, she’ll easily say digital drawing. Brought up in a military family that moved around a lot, Kate lived an exciting childhood full of new places, new people, and new things. Now that she’s older and out of school, she finds that she prefers a quieter life at home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her family. She hopes one day to write her own picture book to give to her children, but for now, she enjoys helping other people tell their stories with her beautiful, colorful art. She’s happiest when she’s drawing and listening to music, especially when she’s nice and cozy under a mountain of blankets on a rainy day. You can see more of Kate’s art in her DeviantArt gallery at www.deviantart.com/rahkshi-miraka.
