Over 500 recreational and educational experiences for every season and region of the Sunshine State. Expand your family's appreciation of nature, history, science, art, and culture.
Jan Godown Annino ( 1952- ) grew up in Hunterdon County, New Jersey the youngest of her father's three children. Born in 1903, her father was an observant and robust child on an area tennant farm, attending a one-room school house, commanded by his beloved Miss Jenny. Jan grew up in the woods, hearing his fabulous stories. Her mother, who was a weekly newspaper editor, also told amazing stories, put on marionette plays & brought Jan into the office of the other weekly newspaper, where her mother was now a contributing writer & Jan spent time corloring on copy paper. Jan's father retired and brought the family to Sarasota County, Florida, where Jan promptly began writing for her school newspapers through the university level. During her career in community newspapers she gravitated to features. When Jan began her own family she began writing geotourism guides (as Jan Godown or Jan Godown Annino) for The Globe Pequot Press.
At an American Indian festival, Jan recognized Betty Mae Tiger Jumper because of a newspaper clipping her mother had saved & given to her years before. Mrs. Jumper & Jan stayed in touch, with Jan bringing her young daughter to meet Mrs. Jumper. Mrs. Jumper later authorized Jan to bring her story, SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader, to young readers.
This collaboration with artist Lisa Desimini is Jan's first picture book. She continues her education studying children's literature at the graduate level. Jan lives with her family in Leon County, Florida
