Youth Alert! Help Jesse Fight the Climate Monster
Well, my faithful readers, author Tom Medeiros has sparked “the sparkle light in my eyes.” Not only did he know I like to feature local authors in my Bookshelf Writers column, but he reached out to request I consider featuring his debut children’s book, “Jessie and the Climate Monster.”
Are you a parent, grandparent, big brother or sister or an elementary school teacher? Do you know a student in a summer reading club? Might you be a member of an organization curious what simple actions could help save our environment for future generations? If so, I recommend you earmark some cash or use your library card or order a digital reader then spend 30-minutes checking out Tom’s storytelling skills?
In a nutshell Charlie, the family Golden Lab, shares three magical powers, aka “action items,” with Jesse to show him how to make a big difference in the battle against a very scary climate change monster. Note: Puzzle–solving is required to unlock the magical power-words. Your children will solve the puzzle instantly! Adults, not-to-worry! Medeiros is savvy enough to provide a hint later in the book’s generous notes that remind us how to solve most of life’s challenges: Look at each word (or challenge) in a different way.
I analyzed why I was so excited about this version of another story about climate change. Number one, the cover was an instant teaser for me featuring a child, a dog, and an amorphous monster in the shape of a tornado. Haven’t we had enough tornados – waterspouts – to scare our children lately? Two: Jesse is excited about his discovery and trusts to enlist help from a parent. Three: This short read has 100 pages with 50 pages featured side-by-side translated into Spanish — bright multi-colored pages with the scary climate change monster lurking in the background. Four: The magic is believable, and the solutions child-play giving Jesse the power and courage to invite others to join his efforts. Five: In our interview Tom referred to Jesse as she. I envisioned Jessie as male. By design the author wanted the reader to befriend Jesse no matter the gender. In fact, shouldn’t we all be equal when working to solve this challenge? And 6: A glossary of 36 science-based terms in both languages is provided, plus links for more readings and activities for youth and adults that can be easily completed and fun for all.
Tom Medeiros is a retired Santa Cruz elementary and middle school science teacher, who also taught at UC Santa Cruz. Since retirement, he and wife, Paula, have lived in different communities where they’ll buy a home needing tender-loving care. Tom enjoys doing the work himself. From Santa Cruz they moved to Los Osos, then Hawaii, then nearer family in San Diego and now have returned to Los Osos – to the same neighborhood they enjoyed the first time around.
The Jesse series was sparked when Tom and Paula learned about their first grandchild while visiting son Kai and daughter-in-law Barbara in San Diego. Kai suggested Tom would enjoy retelling his “great stories” to his new grandchild. And then 2020 shuttered the grandparents in Hawaii. Paula insisted Tom needed to do something-anything! He started writing and invited neighborhood children to join him on their long porch and listen to his book. When he would see “the sparkle light their eyes” he knew it was something he needed to keep. Barbara and her mother translated the text to Spanish, and A&M Publishing suggested the multi-colored pages and designed the images.
Tom enjoys offering readings to classrooms, libraries and civic groups. His goal is to bring everyone into the conversation. As of this writing he has presented to Los Osos Rotary Club and is in contact with Del Mar Elementary School. Reach Tom at tommedeiros717@gmail.com.
Tom is working on his next books as he finishes his Los Osos remodeling. In one book Jesse and Charlie are challenged during a recycling competition. Another is set in Puerto Rico where Kai was once caught in a devastating hurricane and Barbara was able to provide some simple support to those in need.
“Jesse and the Climate Monster” is available at Volumes of Pleasure in Los Osos, Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay and Barnes & Noble SLO and Oceanside (near Kai’s family). A digital version is also available online.
