Janet Ruth Heller's Books
May.21.2012
Folk Concert: Changing Times concerns the journey of becoming a woman during difficult times. Themes include feminism, love relationships, college teaching, nature, psychotherapy, travel, the anti-Vietnam War movement, family, the life of an artist/entertainer/writer, and music.
Aug.03.2011
Traffic Stop contains some of my best poems written from the 1970s to 2009. Themes include being an assertive nontraditional woman, having close relationships, teaching college English and women's studies, loving nature, traveling, being involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement, mourning my father's death, being an artist/entertainer/writer, and experiencing folk music at...
Jun.04.1990
Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, and the Reader of Drama is a re‑evaluation of British drama criticism of the nineteenth century. I demonstrate that the British Romantics' bias against the staging of Shakespearean tragedy is rooted in an established and intellectually justifiable tradition in Western drama criticism. I also focus on the misconception that the Romantics were not...
In my award-winning fiction picture book How the Moon Regained Her Shape (Sylvan Dell, hardback 2006, paperback 2007), the sun bullies the moon, and the moon's feelings are so badly hurt that she shrinks. The moon turns to a comet and her friends on earth, who comfort her, and she regains her full shape and self-esteem. Influenced by Native American legends and rituals, How the...
Heller uses a storytelling voice with modern, accessible language. Her well-written prose moves the reader forward as she creates reader empathy for the moon, and makes readers want to know what the moon will do to overcome the sun's bullying. The text never feels too long, but sings with a lyrical storytelling rhythm. Heller has obvious insight into how it feels to be bullied or emotionally abused, and the way hurtful words can impact on one. . . . How the Moon Regained Her Shape is both entertaining and a great tool on how to deal with the impact of bullying or emotional abuse, and how to build self esteem and confidence and belief in oneself. It encourages readers not to hold onto negative comments, but instead to seek out their friends, to seek out positive messages about themselves and to listen to them, and to build up their self esteem and hold onto their self worth. This book can spark positive discussion and bring about a greater understanding of bullying or emotional abuse and its impact. If you've ever experienced bullying, emotional abuse, or felt put-down, or know someone who has, pick up this book. You won't regret it. Highly recommended.”
—Cheryl Rainfield on www.cherylrainfield.com--Picture Book Reviews
About Janet
Janet Ruth Heller is a poet, literary critic, college professor, essayist, playwright, and fiction writer. I am a past president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature, and I am currently president of the Michigan College English Association....
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Causes Janet Heller Supports
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nature Conservancy, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Autism Speaks,









