Kelly Lenihan

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About Kelly Lenihan
Kelly Lenihan grew up with a pen in her hand. As a child – pretty much all the way through college – she was forever making up stories. The imagination is a wondrous thing and Kelly was often lost in hers, her head filled with fanciful characters’ adventures in magical lands. Over the years, as Kelly turned to other interests, her writing evolved into essays on multicultural arts and crafts or exploring gardening and nature through science and art, including hands-on projects. These days, tapping into her background as an avowed foodie, she has been sharing original recipes smattered with the occasional food legend or how-to for nature-inspired table settings, on her food blog. Sadly, Kelly's childhood stories were long-forgotten, both on paper and in her imagination. Until she had children. Reading aloud to her two sons every night at bedtime reminded Kelly of her own childhood delight in the power of stories. As a stalling tactic, once she finished reading a bedtime book, her younger son would beg for “one more story”. He’d look at his mom, his big brown eyes filled with hope, placing his tiny hand on hers – how could she refuse? So she started making up stories right there, in the moment. Some of these stories delighted her son so much, he would have her tell them again, night after night, especially the ones he starred in. Thankfully, Kelly wrote some of the stories down. Even though it's taken her a few years to publish some of them (her son is now grown), they remain beloved family favorites. Kelly is thrilled to share her precious stories with children everywhere.
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Author Updates
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Blog postHOLIDAY GIFT IDEA FOR KIDS: This charming 2022 picture book calender follows the adventures of Pig and Mouse as they meet for the fist time and share a wonder-filled day on a nature treasure hunt. BONUS: Each month features fun nature activities for you and your littles to have your own adventures. Purchase by November […]
The post Pig & Mouse 2022 Picture Book Calendar first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.6 months ago Read more -
Blog postPicture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November. Picture books are valuable resources for engaging readers of all ages, at home and in the classroom. They can help students develop their close reading skills, as every word is carefully chosen. Pictures and words work together to […]
The post November is #PictureBookMonth first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.7 months ago Read more -
Blog postHeart is what enables children to learn and practice empathy and kindness. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Children’s Book Week (May 3-9), the following books have been specially selected for their “heart moments”. Support these authors by checking out their beautiful picture books. Available here: https://bookshop.org/…/picture-books-with-heart-from… #ChildrensBookWeek #booksforkids #kidsread #picturebooks
The post Picture Books With Heart first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books1 year ago Read more -
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Blog postEven though it’s barely March and still fairly cold outside, flowers are poking their heads out, spring birds are showing up, and I, for one, am ready to get outside! Since it’s too early to garden outdoors yet, I have a cure for combating spring fever. Following are a few suggestions to bring a little […]
The post Bringing Spring Indoors first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.1 year ago Read more -
Blog postSome countries have a beautiful tradition of encouraging kindness to birds during the holidays. Listen as John and Brian from WBU explore different traditions from around the world that showcase our backyard friends.
The post Birds and Holiday Traditions first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.1 year ago Read more -
Blog postIf you have littles you are shopping for this holiday season, consider the gift of books and support an author. amazon.com/author/kellylenihan
The post Gift a Child a Book This Holiday Season first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.2 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy children’s picture book, Adventures of Pig and Mouse: An Unusual Friendship, is now available as a 2021 calendar. Each month features an illustration and text from the story book. THE STORY: Pig isn’t like most pigs. She doesn’t like to roll in the mud or get dirty. She likes to watch birds and butterflies. […]
The post Pig and Mouse 2021 Calendar first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.2 years ago Read more -
Blog postI am honored to be part of the creative team for ‘Choice: A field guide for navigating the polarization of our world and living interdependently‘. This small book is packed with thought-provoking reflections inviting the reader to explore choices and philosophical perspectives that go beyond right and wrong and into the realm of interdependent relationship. […]
The post Happy Clients Say It Best first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.2 years ago Read more -
Blog postSheltering-in-place has forced me to slow down, relax, and better enjoy my home environment. Given the choice, I can clean out the clutter (ugh), or spend time in my yard planting native plants for the birds and flowers for the hummingbirds and me (yea)! Guess what choice I made? Fortunately, I also have neighbors who […]
The post Flower Power first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.2 years ago Read more -
Blog postDuring this time of social distancing and spending pretty much all my time time at home, I’ve been happily noticing more birds than ever before. I am fortunate to live in a place that, even though it is urban, is next to a greenbelt with plenty of trees and shrubs providing habitat for a variety […]
The post Birding in My Yard first appeared on Kelly Lenihan Books.2 years ago Read more
Titles By Kelly Lenihan
Nick is an ordinary little boy fervently yearning for something extraordinary to happen. One day, on a family outing, his dream comes true in a rather unusual way. When Nick's wishful thinking finally pays off, could it be that he ends up with a special memento to remind him of his extraordinary day.
Pig and Mouse formed an unusual friendship, but maybe it's not unusal at all. If you've ever witnessed a connection between two species, say, a dog and a cat, or a cat and a bird, you already know animals are capable of feeling love and empathy just like we can. Pig and Mouse's friendship highlights the value of empathy and that differences in size and appearance do not matter. The author invites you to share the story of Pig and Mouse with your children as the touchstone to an important conversation about diversity, empathy, and what's truly important.
The inspiration for Pig and Mouse's first adventure was author Kelly Lenihan's own childhood love of collecting treasures from nature: rocks, seed pods, leaf skeletons, feathers, abandoned bird nests, shells, etc. Often, these collections were started on the fly during a trip to the beach or a hike in the woods. Her kids even contributed to her "science museum" throughout their own childhoods. Now that they're grown, the collections have been condensed into a large curio cabinet in the author's living room. She still adds the occasional rock, seed pod or feather -- her eyes never stop seeking. To this day, Kelly enjoys examining her collections and showing visitors her latest acquisitions -- the thrill never truly goes away!
Like Kelly, kids are drawn to natural items and collecting is a great activity that will help your child to develop important life skills, expand their horizons, and learn about categorizing, sorting and observing. Encouraging collecting -- or enjoying your child's collecting impulse -- can be fun forthe whole family. Did you have a collection as a child? Maybe it's time to start that up again!