Jennifer Lampreda, a teacher in the Los Banos Unified School District, is preparing to release her first children’s book, “The Perfect Pair,” on Feb. 14.
Lampreda has taught in the district for 32 years and currently teaches third grade at Grasslands Elementary School. Throughout her career, she has taught a wide range of grade levels, from first grade through high school, and even served as an assistant principal when Lorena Falasco Elementary first opened.
Despite administrative opportunities, she said teaching always pulled her back.
“I pretty much knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl,” said Lampreda.
Raised in Merced, Lampreda grew up with two godmothers who were kindergarten teachers. They were both incredibly special and influential to her, which initially sparked her own passion for teaching.
A profoundly positive experience with her sixth-grade teacher later solidified the career path she would pursue.
While Lampreda now teaches elementary school, the push to publish “The Perfect Pair” came during her time teaching English Language Development at Los Banos High School. During a class discussion about future goals, her students turned the question back to her.
“They asked me what my goals were, and I told them one of my dreams was to publish my book,” Lampreda said. “They asked what I was doing about it, and they really held me accountable.”
Lampreda originally wrote “The Perfect Pair”more than 20 years ago while she was teaching fourth grade to model a writing assignment for her students. The positive reception and praise from her fourth graders fueled her desire to publish it one day.
The encouragement from her high school students to pursue this goal gave her the confidence to eventually submit her manuscript to a publisher.
After a three-and-a-half-year process that included editing and working with an illustrator, the book was accepted for publication.
“The Perfect Pair” is a fairy tale about a princess who agrees to marry only a prince who can bring her a perfect pair of shoes. The book is intended primarily for children ages five to seven, though Lampreda said it can be enjoyed by all ages.
Lampreda described herself as a lifelong reader, though writing has not always come easily to her.
She said completing the book was a challenging yet meaningful experience, particularly because of the encouragement she received from her students. The book is dedicated to them.
Following the book’s release, Lampreda will make a few local appearances.
She will be a guest reader at Mercy Springs Elementary School on March 4 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. as part of Read Across America Week.
She will also host a book signing at the Jerry O’Banion Library in Dos Palos on March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Additional appearances, including a potential event in Los Banos, are expected to be announced later.
