Detroit Lakes Teacher Celebrates Launch of Children’s Book

Language arts teacher Jackie Jenson has authored a new children’s book titled “A Cat Named Taco,” which she recently celebrated with a book signing at La Barista in Detroit Lakes. This publication marks a significant milestone for Jenson, who has dedicated her career to inspiring young minds in the classroom.

From Classroom to Publisher

Jenson, who has been teaching sixth to eighth graders at Holy Rosary School for eight years, crafted this book as a personal challenge. “I challenged myself to write it all in poetry, because I challenged my class to do that,” she explained. Utilizing the traditional Japanese poetic form of haiku, Jenson’s book reflects her love for language and creativity.

A graduate of Detroit Lakes High School, Jenson earned her bachelor’s degree in English writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Before returning to her hometown, she gained experience working for Target in the Twin Cities and various locations, including Chicago and Fargo. Her early career also included several years as a writer for Detroit Lakes Newspapers.

Jenson has deep roots in the community. She and her husband, Bob Jenson, raised three daughters in Detroit Lakes. While their daughter Jess continues her studies at the University of Minnesota, Alexis resides in California and Casey in Colorado.

A Decade in the Making

Although “A Cat Named Taco” was released in 2023, the concept has been developing for over a decade. “I first had the idea about 10 years ago,” Jenson shared, noting her lifelong passion for writing. “I have always written things down in journals since I was five, probably.” The inspiration to write children’s books came from the bedtime stories she created for her daughters when they were young. “I ran out of books to read, so I would just come up with a story in my head,” she said.

This latest work marks Jenson’s third book, with two previous publications to her name. The first, “Jon and the Soggy Leaf,” was released in 2012 by Beavers Pond Press and features illustrations by local artist Megan Hagel. Her second book, “Sharp Bites and Other Pesky Poems,” came out in 2017 and included contributions from her two oldest daughters, who served as editor and illustrator.

“A Cat Named Taco” features illustrations by Jenson’s niece, Haylee Hovanec. All three of her books are available for purchase on her website, byjackiejenson.com, as well as at Bluebird Books in downtown Detroit Lakes. Jenson hinted at the possibility of future publications, expressing her continued commitment to storytelling. Her journey exemplifies the intersection of teaching and creativity, inspiring both her students and readers alike.