At 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, children toddled between the bookshelves of Dotters Books while guests browsed a spread of picture books and novels, the author, Jessica Schoettle, just a few paces away, ready to sign copies and chat.
Jessica Schoettle, author of seven novels and 26 children’s books, aims to guide parents to peace and purpose and cultivate a softer, kinder world for “our tiny humans,” according to her website.
However, the medium for her mission has not always been writing.
In 2009, after her in-home family daycare grew out of its capacity, Schoettle founded Altoona Family Child Care Center, a center rooted in creative play and learning, which evolved into six different locations.
“All of the parents and all of the children and all the stories … they grew into books,” Schoettle said.
She said that working at a daycare center introduced her to children from all walks of life, some of whom needed a little extra help developing socially and emotionally. That is where her newest children’s series, “Big Feelings, Brave Hearts,” comes in.
“Big Feelings, Brave Hearts,” an alphabetized collection of picture books, each with its own animal and associated emotion, strives to promote emotional awareness and healthy communication through relatable characters, according to its description.
“[Social emotional health] is not something that you can just fix. It’s not something you can change,” Schoettle said. “It’s something you have to mold, you have to guide.”
With that principle in mind, each book features lessons, affirmations and a section that guides parents through dialogue with their children.
This series, however, constitutes a later addition to Schoettle’s already established literary presence. Her initial exposure in publishing sprang from something more personal. One day, Schoettle and her husband unexpectedly became foster parents to a nine week-old baby.
Three and a half years later, the baby’s biological father was released from jail and, in accordance with the county’s reunification policy, reclaimed custody of his son.
According to Schoettle, the abrupt change in family dynamic was traumatic and heartbreaking for her family. She had lost a toddler who called her Mama, whose first steps and words had been by her side.
“So, how did I get to become an author? Well, therapy,” Schoettle said.
Following her doctor’s advice, Schoettle channeled her emotions into spoken word.
“At 2 o’clock in the morning, when I would have a mental breakdown, I would start talking into my phone,” Schoettle said.
Eventually, her early morning monologues transformed into speeches on parenting, friendship, identity and motherhood. Those speeches, compiled in her notes app, turned into books.
“I’m not perfect,” Schoettle said. “So my books aren’t perfect. And I left them like that. I think that’s how you get to know me on a real, personal level.”
Event attendees got the rare opportunity to know Schoettle both through her novels and face-to-face conversation, connecting through the mutual experiences of motherhood.
An employee at Dotters Books sees author visits as invaluable for providing a glimpse into authors’ writing process and offering a space for community members to congregate. The motivation for continuing these visits, she said, is simple.
“I think we frankly just need more opportunities to bring the community together around books,” she said.
Schoettle’s books are available for purchase at Dotters Books, her website, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Riddle can be contacted at [email protected].
