The Genesis
of Scampering
Meadows
MEET THE AUTHORS: JONATHAN & CHARLENE BOWEN
Scampering Meadows is a heartfelt passion project that was born from husband and wife, Jonathan and Charlene. It is because of their love of working with children and their desire to inspire the next generation through engaging tales.
Their grandchildren know them as “Papa” and “Yaya,” nicknames their first grandson gave them, and it has stayed with them ever since. With Charlene’s nurturing touch and Jonathan’s artistic flair, they breathed life into unforgettable characters and created this labor of love: The Scampering Meadows.
Jonathan has taught youth groups of all ages around the world. Charlene studied Early Childhood Education. She was a homeschool mom until Jonathan and Charlene started a private Christian School with a team of interested parents. Charlene taught Kindergarten through Grade One at the school for ten years.
Every book aims to educate, entertain, and kindle the creativity in every young reader’s heart.
STORIES ROOTED IN PRINCIPLES
At Scampering Meadows, we aim to create stories that nurture young minds with meaningful principles. Each story is thoughtfully infused with values drawn from the “fruit of the spirit,” characteristics that God seeks to grow within His children.
As the Mouse Family decides on everyday adventures, they face challenges with these virtues, helping children understand how to apply them in their own lives.
As fruit must be cultivated with care, these virtues need care too. That’s why we’ve included a special “Principles for Parents to Highlight” section at the start of each story.
This feature will help parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts with tools to explore key lessons and discuss their relevance to their child’s unique experiences.
Our stories aim to strengthen family relationships with themes that value togetherness and shared experiences.
On the Road
In 2023, we said goodbye to our home and began an adventure of living on the move. From Canada to the USA and everywhere in between, we’ve traveled far and wide, connecting with family and friends and exploring places, constantly gathering fresh ideas for stories.
As we’ve explored North America, we’ve collected unique antiques, turning them into props for our Mouse Family’s miniature world. No matter where our travels take us, each stop adds a new treasure to spark future tales.
The mice have been our faithful companions on these journeys, joining us on story shoots in the breathtaking prairies, towering Rocky Mountains, serene lakes of Muskoka, scenic rivers, open fields, and even winter’s snow-covered landscapes.
And we’re excited to keep taking them along, gathering more inspiration to create stories that capture children’s imaginations everywhere.
MICE SPY ADVENTURE!
Every story is packed with a delightful “mice spy” activity that will have children eagerly flipping back through the pages, uncovering hidden treasures in the book.
It’s an interactive journey where the search for secrets becomes just as exciting as the tale itself!
BUILDING THE MOUSE WORLD
Sometimes, we couldn’t find the perfect piece for our mouse-sized world, so we used our creativity to create tiny furniture like cozy beds, dainty vanities, tiny tables, and even miniature ladders.
Our nieces, with their talented and crafty minds, also helped us by making bedspreads, adorable clothing, hats, and charming accessories, all adding magic to the stories.
Phebe Penny, Illustrator
Phebe’s artistic journey began at Sheridan, where she learned the essentials of art, but her passion for illustration led her to teach herself, honing her skills along the way.
Her artwork has become the perfect finishing touch to our stories. As a child, I remember being enchanted by the tiny bears in Rupert the Bear books, their little faces peering out from each page.
This memory inspired us to bring a similar essence to our stories, so we contacted Phebe to join our project. She agreed, and her beautiful illustrations are now on every page, bringing the Scampering Meadows to life and reflecting the emotions of our tiny mice as they venture through their magical world.
