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Paloma and Wings: An Herbal Comic – the Book is here!

Boxes of books!

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to announce that my new book, Paloma and Wings: An Herbal Comic — ten years in the making — is finally in print and available for purchase.

Here’s what the book is about:

“Paloma loves plants and herbal medicine making. Wings is a small dragon who follows Paloma on her herbal adventures. Enter the enchanted world of plants and discover their special relationship with us! A mix of comics and prose, this fun and informative book is for kids and kids at heart.”

I’m honored that these herbalists — from whom I’ve learned so much, and who I greatly admire and adore — have the following to say about it:

“Written and illustrated with children in mind, this thoroughly original and delightful book contains a wealth of information about plants, healing and nature. In a joyous and light manner Paloma and Wings guide children on a journey into the plant world with instructions on how to gather and harvest plants, make simple herbal recipes and remedies, and, perhaps most importantly, how to develop lasting relationships with plants and the natural world.”
—ROSEMARY GLADSTAR, Herbalist and Author

The first section lays down foundations for working with plants, including safety and mindful harvesting considerations and practices

“Paloma and Wings: An Herbal Comic is a wonderful contribution to the herbal genre for children! Part comic book, part recipe book, and part herbal, this whimsical tome teaches children the wonders and usefulness of herbs through stories, songs, and down-to-earth facts. From how to help friends and family when they are sick to how to handle an insect sting, Paloma and Wings will empower children to help themselves and others with the natural healing power of the plants.”
—KRISTINE BROWN, RH (AHG), Author and Illustrator of Herbal Roots zine LLC herbalrootszine.org

Comics accompany each chapter.

“An enchanting, conscientious and deeply charming guide to the earth’s natural medicines and the wonder of the animate world. A delightful and intelligent read for the herbally curious child and those who are still young at heart.”
—ASIA SULER, Founder of One Willow Apothecaries and Author of Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self Healing from the Living World

Chapters introduce plants and herbal ideas. Recipes and activities are sprinkled throughout the pages.

Full color, 120 pages long, perfect bound 8″x10.5″ book – $24

For December only you can add a copy of Wintergift CD by Debra Knodel and myself at a discounted price of $8 to your order of the book (more details about the CD below).

Purchase Your Book (or Book+CD)

Purchase Paloma and Wings Book $24 and (optional) Wintergift CD $8 -for shipping in the U. S.

Purchase Paloma and Wings Book $24 and (optional) Wintergift CD $8 – local pick up

If you wish your book signed , please indicate when you pay or leave a message with me here.  If you have any questions, contact me as well.

Note: To those of you living outside the U. S.
I haven’t been able to figure out yet what to charge for mailing outside of the US. However, if you’re interested in purchasing a book, please contact me and give me some of your shipping information (town/city, country, zip code). I’ll figure out what shipping costs would be and let you know.

Wintergift – mostly harp with some tracks with vocals – Debra Knodel and Jane Valencia

WINTERGIFT by Spookytree (Deb Knodel & Jane Valencia ) is a celebration of the beauty, magic, and mystery of winter, with some sweet surprises of who and what you might discover in a snowy landscape or by the hearth fire. This album is a compilation of our most beloved winter season tracks from across our albums, plus five brand new never-before-heard tracks. Cozy up by a warm fire, and enjoy a musical wander into enchantment!

Over an hour’s worth of music. You can preview the music here, but please come back to this page to make your purchase and get your discount.

Jane, the book, and Wings!

 

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New “Learn Elf Owl Harp” video series

I’ve launched a video series devoted to teaching elements of harp with storytelling, poetry, spoken word and song. If you are a harper, I invite you to check them out. If you have questions in this area, please ask! I hope to answer questions in future videos.

I know many (all?) of you love the beauty, fun, and magic of language and word. If you don’t play harp, I invite you to check out the beginning of the first video, “What is Elf Owl Harp?” There I perform a short poem written by a youth in Forest Halls. Come join me in the woods to experience it!

Enjoy the first video here

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Elf Owl Harp for Storytelling, Poetry and the Spoken Word

Do you love poetry and yearn to put harp to such words? Have you dreamed of telling stories with the harp? Do you wish to bring your listeners more fully into the world of your music? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this class may be for you!

We have two classes from which to choose, one that meets on Sundays, and one on Tuesdays.

Photo by Dawn Stief https://dawnstiefphotographyblog.wordpress.com/ taken at the Vashon Wilderness Program Storytelling Festival

Elf Owl Harp: Harp for Storytelling, Poetry, and the Spoken Word.
Your teacher and guide: Jane Valencia

Two class sessions! Pick the one that best suits your schedule.

Sunday Elf Owl Harp Class. Starts May 23. 2-4pm Eastern Time.
Dates: 5/23, 6/6, 6/13, 6/27 on Zoom [Note that we are skipping 5/30 Memorial Day weekend and 6/20 Father’s Day]. Class is full. Enrollment is closed.

Tuesday Elf Owl Harp Class. Starts May 25. 7-9pm Pacific Time.
Dates: 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15 on Zoom. Register here. Still a few spaces available!

Telling stories or sharing poems brings listeners into other worlds. When we add our harp to our spoken word we add layers to the experience, and magnify the wonder and magic! Join us in a four-session class devoted to weaving enchantment with harp and language.

We’ll use small tales, short poems, descriptive passages, blessings,  narrative,  sacred text, ancient wisdom, folklore, and more to explore techniques, material, and ideas for crafting unique and captivating pieces that can either stand on their own or take flight into larger storytelling and spoken expressions. You’ll have assignments (elf owl size) each week, and the opportunity to share your work in a supportive, kind environment.

Grow your skills with harp and storytelling, poetry, and other spoken word in this fun four-session class on Zoom.

Whether you dream of performing story,  poetry, or other spoken word for others, offering them in myriad settings (church, therapeutic, organization, with kids or seniors, and more),  playing them for yourself (say, as a contemplative or magical practice), this class is intended to cultivate and support your joyful expression.

Topics include:

  • Openings and Closing: Framing and mood, the art of introduction and endings
  • Respecting and Honoring Sources
  • Choosing Material and working with different forms
  • Creating Stories and Poems
  • Working with Sound Effects, Chord Progressions, Tunes and Songs, Improvisation, and Modes
  • Storytelling, Poetry, and Spoken Word performance skills
  • Practices for Centering Oneself and for Connecting with your Listeners
  • Weaving Larger Pieces: Taking your Elf Owl skills to the next level

Who: Harpers of all levels, including complete beginners, are welcome. If you can strike strings, you can use a harp with spoken word!

Cost: $125

Register here for Elf Owl Harp – Sunday Class

Register here for Elf Owl Harp – Tuesday Class

Materials and information will be emailed to you before class begins. Sessions will be recorded.

Do you have questions or need more info? Please ask!

To whit – to whoo! (or, in Elf Owl language: pew-pew-pew!). We hope to see you in the grove!