Schuylkill Haven author set to release debut children's picture book, 'In the Palm of My Hand'

Feb. 15—In her new book, "In the Palm of My Hand," Jennifer Raudenbush depicts a world of "infinite possibilities" in simple, poetic language.

Raudenbush's love of nature and the outdoors, along with the beginning of a William Blake poem, formed the basis of the story for her debut children's picture book, which will be released March 14.

The 32-page book tells the story of a young boy who, while walking outside, discovers the connectivity of the natural world, along with the limitless potential found in everyday phenomena.

"It's a child taking a journey in nature and realizing that really small things — like a wildflower or an acorn — hold big possibilities, big potential, just like he does," said Raudenbush, a former speech-language pathologist who resides in Schuylkill Haven.

The author will hold a book launch party at 1 p.m. March 18 at the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library. The event will feature an interactive storytime, crafts and a book-signing session.

Raudenbush completed the first draft of her book in 2019 and, after conducting critique groups and revisions, she submitted it for publication.

The book will be published by Running Press Kids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

A lifelong reader and writer, Raudenbush rekindled an interest in picture books several years ago when she fell into the habit of reading to her son at night.

She eventually began working on a series of manuscripts — including one that would become "In the Palm of My Hand" — and is currently working on other projects which she plans on submitting for publication.

"In the Palm of My Hand" was illustrated by Italian artist Isabella Conti, who lives in Milan. Although she and Raudenbush worked on the book under editorial supervision, and with little communication, Raudenbush was "blown away" by the completed work.

"Her illustrations, the landscapes — it's just magical," Raudenbush said.

She cites one particular spread, near the end of the story, as her favorite in the entire book. The drawing depicts the narrator and his family sitting around a campfire, while ashes from the fire float away to form the shape of a heart.

While the target audience for the book is 4- to 8-year-old children, Raudenbush said that her text, combined with the simplicity of Conti's art, makes the story appealing to all ages.

As inspiration for the book, Raudenbush used the opening lines of Blake's "Auguries of Innocence": "To see a World in a Grain of Sand / And a Heaven in a Wild Flower / Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand / And Eternity in an hour."

"The story touches on the connectivity with nature, the potential inside of everybody, self-esteem and (science), because it has to do with the life cycle of the butterfly and the water cycle," Raudenbush said.

The book is currently available for preorder at Aaronsbooks.com. It will also be available online at most major booksellers, including Barnes & Noble.

Raudenbush is working on bringing "In the Palm of My Hand" to bookstores near Schuylkill County, and has scheduled a series of book signings and other events where she will promote her work.

She said that, so far, her book has received an enthusiastic response from friends, family and fellow writers who have read it.

"I hope that the book does well, because I would love to publish more," she said. "But I've already had so much hometown support. I'm so grateful."

Raudenbush, a Minersville native, now writes books full time. She is currently in the process of publishing a middle-grade novel, as well as another children's picture book.

She hopes "In the Palm of My Hand" will be the first of many works in her career as a published author.

"My hope with this book is for readers to fall in love with the beauty of nature and the beauty of words," she said.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085