About Janet Mclean

I am a children's writer, and a teacher of preschool children. With my husband, renowned illustrator, Andrew McLean, I have published 15 picture books. Our first book, The Riverboat Crew, was published in 1978. Some of books have received awards and appear on Notable book lists. When I was teaching I received a Highly Commended Award for Excellence by a Teacher for my unique story-based approach to learning in the preschool years. I am sharing this appraoch on this blog, with stories by and about children and families.

Pumpkin, peas and carrots for lunch

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Janet Mclean

One day Rory found this photo. He showed it to his Dad, Damon and said, ‘Dad’, tell me the story about this picture when I was a baby.’

‘Well…’, said Damon, ‘…this day I gave you mashed pumpkin, peas and carrots for lunch.You ended up with food in your hair, between your toes, on your eyebrows, up your nose. We had to have a bath! Looks to me like your enjoying yourself’. ‘I am!’ said Rory.

‘Aaaah-aah – ah!’ means ‘Go Rory!’

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Janet Mclean

From their earliest days children are drawn into the chatter and goings-on of everyday family life.

They listen. They watch. They make sounds. They cry. They laugh. They babble and blurt. They squint and scrunch. They wave and nod.

Before long they are using their own sounds and words to let us know what they know, how they feel, and what they want. They are on their way.

Everyday stories

Fraser’s on the inside watching Big Brother

Rory stops kicking the ball to have a chat with Fraser

Bob the Railway Dog – First US edition 2016

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Janet Mclean

Bob the Railway Dog is now published in America by Candlewick Press. Based on a true story, ‘Bob’ is written by Corinne Fenton and illustrated by my husband, Andrew McLean. The story is set in the early days of the Australian railroad. As legend has it Bob took advantage of the the new form of transport by ‘riding the rails’… ‘His favourite spot was on a Yankee engine or on the coal tender…’

Here is a link to a review at Creative Kids Tales

In the outback, before trains and…