Behind the Books: My Chat with Small Towns, Big Dreams

I recently had the chance to sit down with Beki Waples on her podcast Small Towns, Big Dreams, and if you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Amabel Books—or what it’s really like trying to build something from scratch in a small town—you might enjoy this episode.

Listen here:
Small Towns, Big Dreams: Jenny Lee Learn

We talked about how Amabel Books began—not as a grand plan, but out of frustration, love, and a deep desire to help my daughters enjoy reading. I share how the idea of alternating simple and complex text came to be, and how it slowly turned into a series of books that I now bring to classrooms, markets, and homes.

But more than that, we talked about what it really takes to keep a small business going:
The tangled parts—like uncertainty, long nights, and second-guessing yourself
The growing parts—learning as you go, asking for help, and celebrating small wins
And the good parts—like the joy of seeing a child read a book you wrote

Running a small business from a rural community while raising kids, helping on the fami;y farm, and working other jobs is... a lot. But I keep going because it matters—because stories matter, because readers matter, and because creating something meaningful (even slowly) is worth it.

If you're someone who's dreaming of starting something of your own—or already knee-deep in something that feels a little messy—I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone.

A Little About Me (If You're New Here)

I’m Jenny Lee Learn—mom, digital marketer, author, teacher, illustrator, baker, framer and market vendor. I run Amabel Books, where I create children’s books that help make reading more accessible and less overwhelming. My books use alternating text to support both beginner and confident readers, so families can share stories side by side.

You can find me at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market on Saturdays in the spring with books and our family’s maple syrup. Or right here on AmabelBooks.com, where I quietly cheer on young readers (and their grown-ups).

Thanks for reading. And if this post or podcast helps you in any small way, I’d love to hear from you.

Keep smiling, 

Jenny Lee