Orinda Author Jim Roethe Releases Bird-Filled Children’s Book Inspired by His Grandchildren

Twelve illustrated read-aloud stories blend animals, birds, poetry, and gentle lessons for children ages 4–10.

ORINDA, CA, UNITED STATES, September 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ —
Jim Roethe, a retired attorney, poet, lifelong birder, and grandfather, announces the release of his newest book, Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids, an illustrated collection of twelve original stories for children ages 4–10. The book is now available through Amazon and local bookstores. ISBN: 979-8234120861.

Unlike Roethe’s previous books, Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids was written especially for young readers. The stories began in London, where Roethe created them for his two 10-year-old grandchildren after they had grown tired of hearing new variations on familiar fairy tales. They would suggest animals, and Roethe, who has spent the last 40 to 50 years birding, decided that every story should include at least one bird.

The result is a warm, imaginative collection that combines the pleasure of old-fashioned storytelling with a gentle introduction to birds, animals, poetry, and nature.

“My hope was simple: to tell stories children would enjoy, while also teaching them a little something about birds and, perhaps, encouraging an interest in birds, nature, and the world around them,” said Roethe.

Each story in Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids includes animal characters, a bird, a short poem, and a gentle lesson. The book is designed to be read aloud by parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers, while also appealing to older children who are ready to read the stories on their own.

The collection is illustrated by Michael Gilmore, a friend of Roethe’s whose original drawings bring warmth, color, and character to the book. Gilmore’s illustrations capture the spirit of each tale while giving young readers a visual doorway into Roethe’s imagined world of animals, birds, and curious children.

While the book is intended for children, its appeal also reaches parents, grandparents, bird lovers, educators, and anyone who values intergenerational storytelling. Part fable, part read-aloud collection, and part invitation into the natural world, Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids offers a literary and heartfelt alternative to fast-paced children’s entertainment.

Roethe hopes the book will encourage children not only to enjoy the stories, but to look more closely at the birds and animals around them.

About the Author
Jim Roethe is a retired attorney, poet, traveler, grandfather, and lifelong bird enthusiast based in Orinda, California. He has written several books, including works inspired by family, travel, and birds. His newest book, Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids, grew out of stories he first told to his grandchildren in London and reflects his long-standing love of birds, nature, poetry, and storytelling.

About the Illustrator
Michael Gilmore is the illustrator of Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids. A friend of Roethe’s, Gilmore created the original drawings that accompany the book’s twelve stories, bringing the characters, birds, and imaginative settings to life.

Book Information
Title: Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids
Author: Jim Roethe
Illustrator: Michael Gilmore
Publication Date: September 10, 2026
ISBN: 979-8234120861
Audience: Children ages 4–10; parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, and young readers
Availability: Amazon and local bookstores

Jian Huang
pH Collective
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