Hurray! October is here, and with it comes a month full of excitement and festivities! This edition is packed with fun and spooky surprises to make your Halloween extra special.

As the leaves change color and the air gets cooler, we have a lot to look forward to. From creative Halloween crafts and spooky stories to fun games and delicious recipes, there’s something for everyone in this issue. Whether you’re planning a costume party or just looking for some fun activities to do at home, we’ve got you covered.

We hope you enjoy this edition as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Don’t forget to share your feedback and send us your stories, drawings, and Halloween costume photos. We love hearing from our creative readers!

Happy Halloween

I’m Dr. Letisha Jefferson, a board-certified pediatrician. I reside in Florida with my wonderful husband and loving daughter. Beyond the exam room, I’m also an award-winning children’s book author and passionate advocate for early literacy and child development. I created Learn and Play with Dr. J as a way to combine my love for medicine, education, and storytelling. At the heart of everything I do is the desire to ease children’s anxieties, strengthen families, and give every child the confidence to thrive.

I am a mom of two grown college kiddos and we are a house divided with one attending the University of Texas in Austin and one at Texas A&M, love coaching and playing tennis, traveling and adventure. Once even rappled down the side of a hotel to raise money and awarenss for literacy and the importance of public libraries. I am a Registered Sanitarian and Certified Professional in Food Safety with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, regulatory, and food service. I have spent my career developing and managing programs that protect public health and promote safe food practices.

September is here, and that means one exciting thing—it’s time to head back to school! Whether you’re stepping into a brand-new classroom or returning to familiar hallways, this month marks a fresh start filled with possibilities, friendships, and fun.

Hello! My name is Rebecca Almeida. I am a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, Pre-k Teacher, Children’s Book Author and the owner of the brand and publishing company Mindful Nook. I have practiced both Meditation and Mindfulness in my personal life for the past decade and have brought mindfulness into my classroom for the past 9 years.

Hi, I’m Sophie Jones-Tinsley (also known as Sophie JT). I’m 29, West Yorkshire based and love all things education. I think learning, reading, and developing our minds is the best thing a person can do. A saying I love and live by is “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room!”

I’m originally from Los Angeles, California, and I have a deep love for writing, crafting, and exploring. After the Los Angeles fires, I realized I didn’t want to wait on dreams anymore and decided to actualize them, not only to make myself proud but also to heal old wounds.

As the warmth of summer lingers and little hearts continue to chase dreams under the sunlit sky, we bring you our August edition filled with imagination, inspiration, and the sparkle of young creativity. This month, we dive into stories that celebrate courage, kindness, and the pure joy of discovery—reminders that even the smallest voices can echo with the biggest impact.

I’m a mother of three, an engineer by training, a product leader by profession, and a passionate storyteller who loves weaving faith, family, and adventure into everything I write. I live in Colorado with my husband and kids and find inspiration in everyday moments, childhood wonder, and the hope we have in God.

I’m a wife and mum of two young boys living in Wales, UK. I love being outdoors, especially on rainy days! I believe I’m what’s known as a ‘pluviophile’ (somebody who finds joy in rainy days).