My name is Jessica and I am a passionate adventurer with a heart anchored in the great outdoors. I have wandered through diverse terrains, collecting stories and memories along the way.

Nature’s vast expanse is not all that calls out to me; the eager eyes and inquisitive minds of young learners also have a special place in my heart. The classroom has been a part of my life since becoming a teacher in 1997. It is much like the outdoors, a space of discovery, where every question leads to an adventure and every answer, to a new horizon.

In the early 2000s, with four young boys at home, we learned that our family dog, a spirited boxer named Roxy, mirrored my zeal for exploration. Anytime someone opened the front door, she was off — leading the way, tail wagging, ready to uncover the next secret of the great wide open.

It wasn’t just Roxy’s legacy of wanderlust that inspired me. My sons, each with adventure in their DNA, became the co-authors of countless escapades and adventures.

From this blend of personal explorations, the vibrancy of my classroom, and the shared journeys with my family, the concept of "Barlow the Boxer" was born. I wrote what became more than just a book. It grew into an invitation for young learners. The accompanying stuffed animal, travel journal, backpack, pencil, and crayon pack were not just items — they were keys to unlock the magic of adventures for other young adventurers.

For me, the thrill isn’t just in the exploration; it’s in the sharing. And with Barlow the Boxer, I extend my hand to every child, beckoning them to join in the dance of discovery. The thought of children stepping out, journals in hand, eyes wide with wonder, ready to pen down their own adventures, fills my heart with immeasurable joy. Because in the end, every child deserves to know that the world outside is a grand, beautiful story, waiting to be read, one adventure at a time.