Living on the opposite side of the world to your grandchild can be pretty tough at times, particularly given they grow so fast. As a result, I set my mind to creating a series of picture books for her to read that introduce her to her family, and talk about the places she’s travelled in her first years.
With one published, and two more in the works, I figure I’ll share them here, and hopefully grow the library along the way!
My Grandad’s An Outback Trucker by Emmy-Lou James
Join Rosella on a captivating journey across the globe in ‘My Grandad’s an Outback Trucker.’
Discover the extraordinary adventures of Grandad, who drives a super-long road train through the wild Outback of Australia.
As Nana comes to stay, she weaves enchanting tales of Kangaroos, Dingoes, and desert landscapes, filling Rosella’s imagination with the wonders of her grandad’s life on the opposite side of the world. With every story, Rosella gets to know her Grandad, and proves that no distance is too great for the warmth of family bonds.
This delightful picture book, adorned with vibrant illustrations, is a celebration of love, adventure, and the special connection that spans across continents.
Look Out Of The Window, What Do I See? by Emmy-Lou James & Mai Gonzalez
Join little Rosella on a journey through her first year of life, exploring the vibrant sights and sounds of Vancouver, Seattle, Mexico, Toronto, Quebec, Lake Lilouette, Cultus, Whistler, and Vancouver Island. As she travels with her mom and dad, nana and tata, uncle, and great-grandparents, Rosella looks out of the window, marveling at the world around her. This charming picture book celebrates the joy of family, adventure, and the wonder of discovering new places through the eyes of a beloved granddaughter.
The Bunny Who Found His Rosella by Emmy-Lou James & Kathy Woodford
“The Bunny Who Found His Rosella” tells the heartwarming tale of a toyshop bunny with a dream to fly. When a kind lady buys him and takes him from Australia to Canada, Bunny is thrilled to hear he’ll meet Rosella, imagining the colorful birds he adores. Upon arrival, Bunny discovers Rosella is a little girl, named after those very birds. To his delight, he finds that this Rosella is just as lovely and vibrant as the birds he loves. Join Bunny on his exciting journey to a new home and a new friend in this enchanting story of love and adventure.
JEM Family Publications
Late last year, we decided to explore how our family could create a legacy through books. With a deep love for travel, exploring new places, and immersing ourselves in different cultures, we felt inspired to share our passion. Since then, we have created a variety of pocket journals for travelers, pocket sudoku and other puzzle books, and notebooks. Our goal was to craft meaningful gifts that could be sold through Amazon. However, we haven’t marketed them yet as we are still deciding the best way to move forward. It seems a shame for them to sit unrecognized.
JEM Family Publications represents the creative efforts of our entire family—our kids, my husband, and myself—working together under one umbrella. We hope you enjoy these creations as much as we do.
Close Your Eyes, Memorize (Emmy-Lou James & Mai Gonzalez)
Carrying a journal while traveling can be problematic, especially for those who prefer to travel light. Lugging around a heavy book that you only use at the end of the day can be inconvenient.
The Close Your Eyes, Memorize Sensory Pocket Notebook is the perfect solution. Designed to fit in your pocket, it’s easy to carry and ideal for travellers worldwide. This notebook isn’t about traditional journaling—it’s about taking a moment to pause wherever you are, closing your eyes (as long as you’re in safe surroundings), and immersing yourself in the sounds, smells, tastes, feels, and ambiance. By simply listing these sensory experiences, you can later revisit those fundamental memories when you’re ready to write your journal.
Our senses play a powerful role in reinforcing memories. How often have you heard a song that transports you back to a moment from years earlier, or walked into a restaurant that reminds you of a place you’ve been before? The Close Your Eyes, Memorize Pocket Notebook is designed to capture these sensory details, ensuring your travels are unforgettable.
Also available in Green.
Cultus Lake Notebook (Emmy-Lou James)
Located 100km east of Vancouver, Cultus Lake is a beautiful place to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy the water, the hiking trails, fishing, camping, quite time, or family adventures.
This simple notebook celebrates this beautiful part of British Columbia, whilst offering a blank canvas to journal, list, or simply write your thoughts or plans.
If you’ve been there, you’ll know the beauty it offers, if not, then it’s definitely a place to add to the bucket list. Enjoy your scribblings, and if you’re in the BC neck of the woods, make sure to check it out. It’s stunning
Passion Pages (Emmy-Lou James)
Crafted with love, this notebook is a sanctuary for your imagination.
With its elegant design, and ample space, it invites your characters to dance across its sheets, your plots to unfold seamlessly, and your ideas to bloom into enchanting tales of love.
From scribbled first drafts, to refined chapters, this notebook is where your romantic worlds find their first home, ignite your passion, and guide your pen toward creating your next unforgettable love story.
52 Weeks, 52 Books: My Annual Reading Challenge Journal (Emmy-Lou James)
Embark on a literary journey with our Reading Journal tailored for the Fifty-Two Book Challenge. Log your reads, track progress, and savor the joy of completing each captivating chapter.
Includes fifty two spaces for:
Prompts
Book Title
Author Name
Outline
Review
Rating
The perfect gift for a bookworm, or for somebody trying to build a reading habit.
52 Weeks, 52 Books: My Annual Reading Challenge Journal (Emmy-Lou James)
Embark on a literary journey with our Reading Journal tailored for the Fifty-Two Book Challenge. Log your reads, track progress, and savor the joy of completing each captivating chapter.
Includes fifty two spaces for:
Prompts
Book Title
Author Name
Outline
Review
Rating