When You Just have To Roar!

Written by Rachel Roberston | Illustrated by Priscilla Prentice | Art Direction Jim Handrigan | Published by Redleaf Press

In every classroom, there is a person who cares about the way children learn, grow, and feel—you, the teacher! The affirming verses and fanciful illustrations in A Teacher’s Promise express what all teachers wish for the children they teach—that they develop self-confidence, perseverance, curiosity, and an enjoyment of learning. A Teacher’s Promise can help ease fears children might have about joining a new classroom or child care setting. The book can help reassure children about the ways adults will guide and teach them, help them when they make mistakes, lead them to discover and imagine, and help them make friends.

Age focus: 3-6. Hardcover, 32 pgs.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Not the exploration of emotions the title might indicate but instead a look at classroom expectations for those just starting school.

“It was just one of those days in Ms. Mya’s classroom.” Those who work with young children may smile at the mischief these kids get up to—from jumping on a chair and playing catch with a stuffie to running and drumming, these kids are loud and boisterous. But luckily, Ms. Mya has her “I need your attention right now” and her “I’m making an important announcement” voices to help her get the students’ attention and explain what her expectations are. Together, the class makes a list of positively stated expectations that they will all follow, and at the end of the day, Ms. Mya, in her “I have something special to tell you” voice, presents a list of expectations for herself. A note to adult readers in the backmatter explains that children cannot know they are misbehaving if they do not know what is expected of them. Prentice’s brightly colored illustrations capture the exuberance and innocence of these ethnically diverse children wonderfully—they are not being naughty; they are just exploring and being kids, and once the expectations are explained, they abide by them.

A reassuring explanation of both expectations in general and the behaviors expected of students in school. (Picture book. 3-6)

Purchase

little boy roaring from cover of children's book, When You Just Have to Roar! - Illustration by Priscilla Prentice

Teacher’s Promise

Written by Rachel Roberston | Illustrated by Priscilla Prentice | Art Direction Jim Handrigan | Published by Redleaf Press

In every classroom, there is a person who cares about the way children learn, grow, and feel—you, the teacher! The affirming verses and fanciful illustrations in A Teacher’s Promise express what all teachers wish for the children they teach—that they develop self-confidence, perseverance, curiosity, and an enjoyment of learning. A Teacher’s Promise can help ease fears children might have about joining a new classroom or child care setting. The book can help reassure children about the ways adults will guide and teach them, help them when they make mistakes, lead them to discover and imagine, and help them make friends.

Age focus: 3-6. Hardcover, 32 pgs.

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Recommendations

As Director of Strategy and Investor Relations at TaxCloud, I worked closely with Priscilla in her capacity as Director of UX/UI Design. Her mandate was to simplify the design of the user interface and experience so that online retailers could understand and file their own state sales tax with ease and confidence... 

While she excels in her skill and knowledge sets, it is her ability to simplify challenging and complex concepts to transform them into an accessible and enjoyable experience for end users that really sets Priscilla apart...Read More

Susan Leigh Babcock - Former Director of Business Strategy and Investor Relations/ TaxCloud

Artist... Web Designer... Illustrator... Priscilla is a visionary who brings life to your visions. She is self-directed, generous of spirit, and amazingly gifted at capturing the essence of her client's work.

Deborah Rundlett -Director of The Meetinghouse

I worked with Priscilla at Adrenium Games. She was originally hired as an environment artist where she did terrific work on our Xbox launch title. More amazingly was later when we were doing prototype work for our Samurai Jack game: she modeled, rigged and animated some tests of Jack which we showed to Cartoon Network to secure the deal. She is a multi-faceted artist and I would be happy to work with her again.

Stephen Clarke-Willson - Programmer, Producer, Executive

I had the pleasure of working with Priscilla on two children's picture books published by Redleaf Lane, an imprint of Redleaf Press. Priscilla is not only a gifted illustrator who worked with me on Redleaf Lane's best selling picture book, she stuck with us as we completely rewrote the illustration story three or four times! She showed tenacity, determination, and a huge amount of patience with us and I would recommend her to anyone! Thanks, Priscilla!

Jim Handrigan - Freelance Art Director

If you've read either of my children's books, or even simply viewed the covers, then you can see for yourself just how talented Priscilla is. She is a master at making a story come to life with illustrations equally appealing to adults and children. I was fortunate to work with her and would recommend her to other authors/publishers.

Rachel Robertson - Vice President, Education & Development at Bright Horizons

When we need custom drawn art, Priscilla is our go-to illustrator. The fruit she drew for Torie & Howard Organic Candies made the packaging and marketing materials complete. Priscilla took our vision and made it reality. The fruit is bright and inviting and looks so natural at the same time. Our Brazilian beverage client, Drink Zavu, originally wanted photography, but the fruits were so hard to find locally. Through references online, Priscilla elevated the brand with attractive drawings of cupuacu, acerola and caju fruits. Impressive. Priscilla is wonderful to work with. She presents comprehensive sketches that translate spot-on to the final art. She brings her own flair and style to each composition.

Donna Bonato - Creative Director at Silver Creative Group

Although it was some time ago, the iconography Priscilla designed for Green Map System is still in use on hundreds of maps made locally around the world. Her dedication and thoughtful creativity were evident in all aspects of her work, even then, and today, she has a remarkable portfolio of completed projects. I highly recommend working with this talented individual.

Wendy Brawer - Eco designer and founder of Green Map System

Web designers working on sketches

UX/UI Design

Graphic Designer Desk from the website of Priscilla Prentice

Graphic Design

Blue watercolor painted background from the website of Illustrator Priscilla Prentice

Illustration

Painting