A retired Suffolk County elementary school teacher and mother of two has made it her mission to continue making a difference in children’s lives through her own engaging children’s books.
Jess Gold has a growing collection of children’s titles, additional works of fiction, and time dedicated to developing her own screenplay; it’s clear she has turned her spare time into something remarkably productive.
What makes Gold stand out is that while her children’s books are fun and engaging, each one carries an underlying message. Through relatable situations and meaningful learning moments, her stories offer lessons that children can easily connect with and understand. Drawing on 25 years of teaching experience and lessons from her own children, she has found inspiration to continue educating and impacting young readers beyond the classroom.
Gold has always had a deep love for writing and books, recalling fond memories of frequent trips to the library as a child. She credits much of that passion to her mother, who encouraged her love for reading and writing and made education a priority in her children’s lives. After spending years freelancing as a writer, Gold eventually wanted to challenge herself creatively, prompting her to embark on a new journey to turn her writing into art.
She started with her first published work, a young adult novel titled Perception. After its release, her publisher approached her about the possibility of writing children’s books, since she was still teaching at the time. Gold said she would be thrilled to do so, despite having no experience with illustrating. Without hesitation, her publisher assured her that the illustration side would be handled, allowing Gold to focus solely on the writing. From there, she quickly began bringing her children’s stories to life.
Seven children’s books later, and Gold is still driving to make a difference in our youth. Gold told The Messenger, “I wrote them basically because as a teacher, I knew what I wanted to see in a classroom, I wanted to see an end to bullying, acceptance, family values, getting along, being the best you can be.”
One of Gold’s personal favorites is her book The Winner at Being Me, which explores the importance of self-confidence. The story follows a boy from an athletic family who, no matter what sport he tries, struggles to succeed. As the story unfolds, he discovers that his strengths lie elsewhere, and while those talents may not be athletic, they are just as valuable. The book highlights the idea that everyone has their own unique abilities and encourages children to take pride in who they are.
She has written many other books with meaningful messages aimed at making a lasting impact on children. I Can’t Think of Anything to Write!, Nobody Ever Picks Me!, and The Treehouse Story are just a few of her works that encourage creativity, confidence, and emotional growth. Her most recent work is a young adult book called Ice Storm, a story that explores how a sudden winter storm becomes a turning point for its characters, forcing them to face personal struggles and difficult truths. The story focuses on themes of identity, resilience, and growth, showing how moments of crisis can lead to self-discovery.
“Most of my concepts come from what I want to see in children and young adults. My whole purpose is to get people to enjoy reading, hearing a story, and escaping into it,” Gold noted.
Gold also remains actively involved in the community, frequently attending events, hosting book readings, and leading workshops. She participates in question-and-answer discussions with readers, offering hands-on learning experiences and meaningful opportunities for connection.
Through her books, community involvement, and lifelong passion for education, Jess Gold continues to make a meaningful impact on children both in and out of the classroom. While she may be retired from teaching, her lessons live on through the stories she shares. With a newly released book, ongoing screenplay projects, and several exciting endeavors currently in the works, Gold shows no signs of slowing down, even as many future projects remain under wraps.
You can find any of Jess Gold’s books on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and on her website www.jessicagoldbooks.com.
