Jennifer Piercy\u2019s adventures as a children\u2019s book author first began at the 海角直播.<\/p>\n
Piercy, an elementary education major, was assigned to write and illustrate a children\u2019s book for an elementary mathematics-education class. The book, Ellie\u2019s Math Adventure<\/em>, focused on a young elephant that longs for an expensive new bicycle.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the story, you take the journey with her and see how determination and hard work help her toward her goal of buying the bike of her dreams,\u201d said Piercy. \u201cThe book was designed not only to help children learn a math lesson, but also to provide life lessons that would make it captivating for readers of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n Gina Gresham, an associate professor in the College of Education, was so impressed after grading Piercy\u2019s assignment that she encouraged her to have the book published.<\/p>\n After Piercy graduated from UCF in 2009, the book continued to receive support from family members, especially her grandfather. In fact, it was her grandfather who pursued the publication process when Piercy was working as a teacher full time.<\/p>\n \u201cMy grandfather was not only a huge part of the publication process, but more importantly he was a positive influence on my life,\u201d said Piercy. \u201cHe was the one that pushed me the most to have this book published, and began the publication process when I was teaching and didn\u2019t have much time on my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n The book was published in February, but Piercy\u2019s grandfather passed away before the publication process was completed.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see my book on the Barnes & Noble website was one of the most thrilling experiences I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d said Piercy. \u201cI remember laughing and crying at the same time, because I was happy that I had finally done it, but sad at the same time that my Papa wasn\u2019t there to celebrate with me in person. I definitely think he was jumping up and down from above with excitement and joy for all that I\u2019d accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n Piercy will embark on a book tour this summer and hopes that the book will be incorporated in classrooms across the country as a tool to teach money and addition lessons.<\/p>\n