JMS Students work with Orange Hat Publishing, applying the effects of youth and media to published Children's books

Dr. Alanna Peebles, professor in San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, took her course JMS 545: Media and Youth to new heights this semester.

Peebles introduced a new project that gave undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to apply course content to real published media. She invited her close friend Michael Braun, owner and editor in chief of Orange Hat Publishing, to speak to the class and launch the project.

Peebles and Braun connected students with published children’s book authors from Orange Hat Publishing. Throughout the semester, students collaborated with authors to create book reviews, curriculum guides and marketing materials tailored to each author’s book.

Groups met with their assigned authors to examine the books through the lens of child development and analyze the implications media can have on audiences from adolescence to young adulthood.

“By working in cross-functional teams and collaborating with a published book author, I hope this project helps students build real-world skills they can showcase on their resumes and job applications,” Peebles said. 

One group worked closely with retired elementary school teacher and author Mark Dantzler. Jacquie Husch, Hayley Lawson and Emma Kidger were assigned the children’s book Mr. Fox Sells Pockets, which they immediately recognized as a meaningful story with valuable lessons.

Over the semester, the students collaborated with Dantzler to produce a book review based on Common Sense Media guidelines along with curriculum and marketing materials. The author can now use those assets alongside the book as classroom learning tools.

“I shared a summary of our meeting with Cindy (our resident second grade teacher of 41 years). She loved the pocket activity so much that she is making arrangements with her school for me to do a class reading of Mr. Fox with a follow up pocket creating activity in June!” Dantzler said. 

Through this opportunity, students not only explored how media affects childhood development but also applied their insights to real-world publishing. The collaboration between JMS students and Orange Hat Publishing authors illustrates how media can support positive educational outcomes.

“The opportunity to connect authors—who are looking for new and exciting ways to pitch their books—with students—who are looking for real-world experience—was too amazing to pass up. And the fact that I got to work with my friend Dr. Peebles made the whole experience even more rewarding,” Michael Braun said.