Meet Julie Jupiter | Children’s Book Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Jupiter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always felt my best when I am creating. I have taken many turns, loop-arounds, and rabbit trails along my career path, and I have picked up an eclectic array of skills that have now come together to equip me to write the books I am currently creating. I have always wanted to be a writer. The design skills I use to illustrate my books are rooted in my education and work experience in photography. I am able to integrate my writing and visual skills, as well as the skills I have picked up as a counselor and as an educator, to create unique books for educators, therapists, or parents who want to strengthen their child’s communication through the experience of reading a book.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I write children’s books that connect ALL the kids. When I was a special education teacher, my students had a tough time being a real part of the school community because their social and communication skills were different. I had such a variety of students in class, and they needed materials that met their communication needs and were fun to read. I adapted books constantly, and I saw other teachers and speech therapists spending so much time and energy adapting books too. So I had the idea to create books that were fun to look through and read, and that were already adapted for educators, therapists, and parents. I am excited that my books can connect kids who are early readers, English language learners, and kids with special communication needs.

It has taken a lot of hustle to create the books and to independently publish them. They are a great resource, and getting the word out there takes time. I have spoken at educational conferences to spread the word about visual communication, and I am coming up with new ideas and writing new books every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love going to the Bishop Arts district, and I meet with my book club each month for brunch at Oddfellows. I might grab something sweet on the way home at Emporium Pies or the Salty Donut. I love to take a peek inside Talking Out of Turn as well to see if they have any colorful new items to make home and work more fun and stylish.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to Fred Rogers. During the pandemic, it was a rough time to be in education. It took so much problem solving to figure out how to reach students and connect with them in a meaningful way through their screens. I looked at the example Mister Rogers gave us, and I took it as a blueprint to connect with children through a screen. His interactions with children, especially children with special needs, were inspirational in how pure and direct they were. He took his connections with people seriously, calling the space between two people a “hallowed ground.” I treat the shared reading experience with the same care. I believe that sharing a book together can be a meaningful, even sacred, experience.

Website: www.juliejupiterbookclub.com

Instagram: @juliejupiterbookclub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-robles-2a3548238/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085312552272

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieJupiterBookClub

Image Credits
Julie Robles