Lori J. Thompson turns decades of early childhood experience into gentle, joyful storybooks for young learners.
Early learning shapes not just academic habits but comfort, curiosity, and trust. For young children, learning works best when it feels safe and familiar. Lori J. Thompson has spent her life building that kind of space, first in classrooms, and now, on the pages of children’s books read at bedtime.
Lori J. Thompson: Teacher Turned Author
Lori J. Thompson is a retired Early Childhood Educator with over thirty years of experience. She owned and operated a large preschool for fourteen years. She served as head teacher and Licensee. This offered her a glimpse of daily family life. Parents trusted her with their children during the formative years. Toddlers, in particular, became her focus. She speaks about them with warmth and respect. She sees their intelligence early and enjoys their humor. She understands their need for structure and play.
Her journey has not been simple. Lori J. lived and worked in New Zealand for many years. She raised five children. She homeschooled them on a hobby farm. She ran a bed and breakfast. She later returned to formal study in early childhood education at age fifty. After health challenges and recovery, she returned to Canada in 2017. Writing entered her life during a period of healing, and stories became a way forward.
“I have a passion to see young parents and caregivers have good success with navigating through parenting young children,” says Lori J. She often adds humor to that truth. “Funny that we don’t get a handbook or an instruction book when we leave the hospital with our newborn baby.”
A Life Shaped by Early Childhood Spaces
During her time teaching, Lori focused on toddler development and daily routines. She thinks that parenting support should feel kind. That’s why she doesn’t position herself as someone who tells parents what to do. Her tone stays supportive. She offers ideas, not rules. She believes parenting is personal. Homes should feel comfortable, and learning should feel fun. These values guided her classroom decisions for years. They now guide her writing.
She understands how children learn through observation and repetition. She knows that stories stick when they reflect familiar moments. Small adventures matter. A squirrel outside a window can become a lesson. A family visit can become a story about care and responsibility.
Turning Classroom Wisdom Into Storytelling
- Stories inspired by daily life and family moments.
- Learning themes woven through gentle plots.
- Characters shaped by nature and relationships.
- Language suited for young listeners and early readers.
Lori J. is the creator of the Squeak the Squirrel series, published under her business name, AuthorLoriJ. The stories center on a little grey squirrel named Squeak. He lives in a tree near Great Gramma’s home in Canada. He is mischievous, makes messes, and returns every day. Children visiting from New Zealand notice him. Questions follow, and curiosity grows.
In the second story, the children discover that Squeak has a family. A baby squirrel falls from the nest. The children want to help. With Great Gramma’s guidance, they learn how care works in the natural world. The lessons are gentle and focus on actions and outcomes.
Lori J. also created Squeak’s Colouring Book. It invites children to engage with the story again, this time through creativity. Coloring becomes another entry point to learning. Fine motor skills develop quietly. Attention spans stretch without pressure.
Her writing style is warm, humorous, and friendly. The stories suit bedtime reading and classroom sharing. They reflect experiences with her own grandchildren.
AuthorLoriJ and a Gentle Learning Mission
Lori J. also welcomes opportunities to speak with parent groups and caregivers. She enjoys sharing insights gained through years of hands-on experience. She speaks from lived moments, not theory alone. She believes learning environments should feel safe and joyful because children thrive when adults stay calm and curious alongside them.
Her future plans include more Squeak stories, audio editions, and additional coloring books. Writing continues to offer purpose and connection and keeps her close to the families she has always served.
Conclusion
Lori J. Thompson has carried early learning from classrooms into storybooks with purpose. Her work reflects years of listening to children and parents alike. Through AuthorLoriJ and the Squeak the Squirrel series, she offers families stories that feel familiar, comforting, and thoughtful. Her books return learning to simple things like a shared story, a quiet laugh, and a gentle lesson before sleep.
