Mary Munson

Where wonder and words work intertwine

Photos courtesy of Amy Geiger Photography

Mary Munson, MA, MS.

As featured on:

Hello Everyone! Thank you for popping in! I am an early childhood teacher and picture book author.

I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with children and the world, through books that educate and support social-emotional learning.

Let's spread some LOVE!

Welcome

WRCH FM Radio

Mike & Mary's

Morning Show

April 4, 2023

Gnome Road Publishing

Available on:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com

Something About Mary

With a love of teaching and a degree in English, Mary began her classroom teaching in a preschool classroom in 1998. She added two master's degrees in Early Childhood Development and Early Childhood Special Education and has served children with and without special needs for over two decades. With years of teaching and her passion for writing, Mary organically embeds early childhood concepts into playful stories for children. When Mary is not in the classroom, she is in the school's greenhouse serving as the Nutritional Science Liaison for the farm-to-table program. She developed and hosted "Friday Try-Days" for all students to learn about the benefits of growing and eating healthy foods. When Mary is not in the classroom or the greenhouse, she is in the mountains, on a beach with her family, or her yoga mat. Mary is an active member of SCBWI and Julie Hedlund's 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. She has won awards for her creative writing and has been published in local newspapers and magazines for children over the years. Her debut picture book, LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND (Gnome Road Publishing, 2023), is an excellent example of how Mary combines her creative writing with her love of teaching.

Photos courtesy of Amy Geiger Photography

Mary Munson, MA, MS.

How it All Began

The 2023 Valentiny Contest WINNERS!!!

March 8, 2023

I want to tell you a story.

Once upon a time, long, long ago in February 2020 when we didn’t even know the pandemic was mere weeks away, a writer entered the 5th Annual Valentiny Writing Contest.

The prompt that year was curiosity.

She wrote a lovely story called The Upside-Down Heart.

It was nicely written, creative, kid-friendly – in short, the judges really liked it!

But…

(you knew there was a but coming, right?)

…alas and alack, she did not make the finals because her story did not feel curious enough, and that was the point the stories were supposed to be getting across.

Now, I know you’re feeling sad for this poor writer who tried so hard and wrote a wonderful story that didn’t make the cut. We all know that heartache too well. But…

(I hope you felt that another but was coming because you know I like to tell stories with happy endings 😊)

wipe your tears, my pretties, because this is what became of that story! ❤️😊😊😊😊😊❤️

Mary

Not Mary

THE BOOK: Love Will Turn You Around

Voted Number One in Children's Math Fiction on Amazon

"An inspiring story about identity and processing emotions all while exploring various shapes. Children will relate to Heart who wakes up one morning feeling all wrong. Heart’s friends recognize that he is not himself and they include him in their fun, but no matter what Heart does, he doesn’t seem to fit quite right. Finally, Heart realizes his true identity—to feel and express love. In the end, Heart takes what he’s learned and helps another friend who is feeling lost."

Foundational math, Shapes and properties
Primary and Secondary Colors
Social-Emotional Development
Problem-solving
Friendship and Teamwork

FUNDRAISING

We raised enough money to donate 70 Love Bundles!

Donations Made to:

International Women's Day 2023

Sweet Lilly

@brittykitty

Thank

you!

Famous Friends!

Nicky and Gabe

https://www.instagram.com/nicksafier/#

Juneteenth 2023

Heart Plushie

Kick-Off!

Celebrating Juneteenth!

PLUSHIES that TEACH

Here is an exciting opportunity to help children identify and express their emotions. Children as young as 2 years old know when they are happy, sad or angry. When children can identify their own feelings and express them to adults the adults can help children cope, understand and regulate their emotions.

This is a tremendously important skill in life for all humans!

The double-sided Heart plushie can help even the youngest and nonverbal child show how they feel.

It can also comfort a child through those emotions as a huggable reliable friend.