About Author - JH & KH's Magical Picture Word 1

Author, Junghwa Jung Choi

Junghwa was born in South Korea. She received a Library & Information Science B.S. and worked as an ESL teacher in Korea and finished a Master's Degree for Childhood Education at Sage Graduate School (NY) in 2004. Since 2001, Junghwa has actively participated in a variety of programs in public schools. The goal was focused on observing, knowing, learning, and experiencing the curriculum and getting along with children and educators in the regular school system in the USA.

After graduation, she worked as a bilingual instruction coordinator, as well as the director of a company-owned learning center, and a specialist in the education franchise business in New Jersey and the Northeast area. A belief she has always held in her heart is that “Learning must be linked to daily life.” She believes that effective learning is relevant to success, and should become a lifelong skill. Coming to the USA for the first time in her life, on the airplane above the JFK airport in 2001, she made herself a promise to serve God’s children and help them aspire to have dreams of their own through their knowledge.

Today, with almost 30 years of experience in the education field, she continues to follow her mission and expand children’s visions. As a quote from the author: “I wholeheartedly aspire to channel the depths of my love, hope, vision, and profound sense of responsibility, directing these sentiments towards the well-being of every precious child in the world.” Presently, Junghwa has been working as a preschool teacher and lives with her husband and daughter in the South Bay region of California. At her preschool, she loves singing and playing with the children in the middle of all the laughter and happiness. She thinks that a love and trust-based relationship is important when being with children. Her favorite hobbies are reading fiction books and listening to jazz music. She loves being with her family, and spending time with her amazing daughter, and funny husband, both who light up her life.

Letter From the Author, Junghwa Jung Choi

"I wholeheartedly aspire to channel the depths of my love, hope, vision, and profound sense of responsibility, directing these sentiments towards the well-being of every precious child in the world.

I am filled with immeasurable gratitude for the profound love and guidance bestowed upon me by my revered grandmother, Jungoak Park, my cherished mothers, Youngja and Kyungja, my loving husband Yongbae, and my dearest daughter, Katherine.

I extend my special thanks to Abigail, Joanna, Gabby, Julianne, and Fany for their invaluable assistance in the creation of this book."

Spanish Translator, Gabriela Figueroa

Gabriela Figueroa is a Los Angeles native, born from Mexican parents who immigrated to provide a better life to their family. She was raised in a native Spanish speaking home and is a fluent English and Spanish speaker. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and went on to teach children ages 3-5 for 4 years. She later pursued her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology and now services elementary school students in the Los Angeles area. Her passion is to work alongside children and values all modes of communication. She prides herself on being able to service children in different languages and believes bilingualism is a great skill to foster in young children.

Special Art Works & Content Contributor: Katherine H. Jung

It’s been a really fun and exciting time working with my mom on this project and I want to point out all the hard work and dedication that she has put into the making of this. The artwork shown in these books are all creations I made when I was younger. Me and my mom spent a lot of time collaborating and sharing ideas, piecing them together to make one big thing: this book series!

Ashely Mills Monaghan, a former preschool educator and children’s music writer, began releasing music in 2002. She has since won international songwriting awards, including ‘Global Artist of the Year’ by Funky Kids Radio. Her debut album, Good Times, has received rave reviews and recognition from educators, parents, and online journals, with comparisons to Laurie Berkner and Natalie Merchant. Monaghan has been featured in popular playlists. She continues to create music for young children while managing her roles as a mom and music educator. Monaghan is a member of the Children’s Music Network, ASCAP, and the Recording Academy.

Narrator (Ashely)

https://www.ashleymillsmonaghan.com