About Junior Storyteller
“You didn’t write that book because all authors are old white men with glasses.” Those words struck Rae Chesny’s ears after one of her first school readings as a children’s author in 2015. The young Metro Detroit student didn’t know it, but he was changing Rae’s life and the lives of the children she would serve around the world.
Founded in 2017, Rae developed the Junior Storyteller Program to respond to that student’s assertion. After researching the limited diversity in the children’s book industry, Rae’s goal became to diversify the publishing world by exposing historically underrepresented children to the story development process and writing as a career. Junior Storyteller’s build-upon curriculum moves participants from the ideation to the book production phase. Finalized Junior Storyteller stories are professionally illustrated and turned into a keepsake book.
By transforming Junior Storytellers into authors, interest in reading, writing, academic achievement, and soft skill development naturally occurs. The innovative social education program serves children in school, home, and community settings. By offering children a chance to tell their stories, Junior Storyteller naturally unlocks skills that will support participants’ lifelong success.
The Junior Storyteller Program has sparked the magic of storytelling in children from Detroit to Central Region Ghana. Junior Storyteller is Common Core Aligned from K-7th grade.
The Junior Storyteller Program starts with Rae’s newest titles, Zora’s Garden and Maya and the Magic Glasses. Each book allows readers a fun journey into basic storytelling and contains fun imagination activities.
Zora’s Garden
In the Florida town of Eatonville, Zora experiences magic ...
With the loving wisdom of her mother, Lucy, Zora learns the perfect recipe for creating the stories and growing gardens. Join in the fun as Zora learns about the power of storytelling and the delight of gardening.
This heartfelt adventure honors the real Zora Neale Hurston with the perfect mix of fact and fiction crafted by Zora Scholar Rae Chesny.
Maya and the Magic Glasses
The snow outside almost ruins Maya's Day until...
She remembers the magic glasses that she was gifted by a storyteller who visited her school. When Maya slides the glasses on her face, her imagination comes alive. What adventures will Maya go on now that she has a pair of magic glasses?
Bring your imagination and your magic glasses for a wonderful adventure with Maya.
Pre-orders start Fall 2023. Stay tuned for more information.
Junior Storyteller Quiz
Next, children are encouraged to take the Junior Storyteller Quiz to find the workbook that best supports them in beginning their Junior Storyteller journey. There are 5 levels of Junior Storyteller Workbooks. Each workbook is designed in a build upon curriculum. As Junior Storytellers acquire more storytelling abilities, they are able to move onto the next level.
Junior Storyteller Workbooks
“Rae’s Junior Storyteller Workbook lays out the foundation of story development. It is engaging, specific, and speaks to all learning styles. Children will have fun learning, developing their voice, and seeing their creativity and artistry as their stories are written and developed.
There is nothing like seeing the spark in a child’s eye when they realize and see that they created something great. With this workbook, students will see their growth, learn story structure, and have something to hold on and refer back to for years to come.”
Junior Storyteller Course
For an interactive experience, Junior Storytellers can enjoy the Official Junior Storyteller Course with Rae. With the appropriate Junior Storyteller Workbook for their current abilities, Rae guides them through the creation of their own stories. Participants are able to enjoy this hands-on story creation course from the comfort of home. Click here to begin the Junior Storyteller Course today!
Junior Storyteller 1-on-1 Mentoring Program
Further the experience with the Junior Storyteller VIP Program. Participants receive 6 coaching sessions, a bonus illustration session, and a professionally illustrated keepsake copy of their book. Participants will also receive all print ready files for their story. Give your child this once-in-a-lifetime experience to create their amazing story using their imagination and creativity in the Junior Storyteller VIP Program.
Self-publishing consultation available upon request for an additional fee.
“My KayLynn is a product of this program. The ancillary benefits have been tremendous and we appreciate Rae and this program for shining a light on literacy and lighting a fire with my daughter.... She is not only reading better...she is excelling in ELA as her writing has drastically improved. I believe this program has shown her how capable she is and boosted her overall confidence. Kakes (as I call her) went from a struggling elementary student to a thriving , all A’s middle schooler. Support this wonderful woman of color, this children of color centered program and literacy in children over all!”
““We received the book over the weekend and were blown away. We were not expecting such a nice product. Zayden’s eyes lit up as he opened the package and saw his name and face on the cover of his book. Children can gain so much from your program…” ”