Bryan, Jennifer

Personal

Has lived with partner since 1990; children: two. Education: Princeton University, B.A., 1983; Teachers College, M.A. (psychological counseling), 1987, Ph.D. (counseling psychology), 1992.

Addresses

Home—Northampton, MA. E-mail—jbryan@jenniferbryanphd.com.

Career

Psychologist, educator, consultant, and children's book author. Licensed psychologist, 1994—. Smith College, Northampton, MA, lecturer in social work, 1995-2006. Consultant to elementary and secondary schools about GLBTQ issues as they relate to school life.

Member

American Psychological Association, Independent School Health Association, American Group Psychotherapy Association, Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy, National Association of Multicultural Education.

Writings

The Different Dragon, illustrated by Danamarie Hosler, Two Lives Publishing (Ridley Park, PA), 2006.

Sidelights

"I hope families of all kinds will add this book to their collections," Jennifer Bryan noted of her picture book The Different Dragon. "And I really hope it makes it into elementary school classrooms, not just for the natural and normalizing reflection of a gay family but because Noah's message to the dragon is a good one for all of us who feel bound and hampered by others' expectations.

"GLSEN (the Gay Lesbian Educators Network) recently created a lesson plan titled "Respecting All Families Nurtures Everyone!" It is written primarily for teachers working with Pre-K through third-grade students and based on The Different Dragon. The goal of the lesson is to help students learn about respect and about the importance of listening and hearing stories about different types of families. These all help young people build the capacity to respect one another for similarities as well as for their differences."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Children's Bookwatch, February, 2007, review of The Different Dragon.

Kirkus Review, October 15, 2006, review of The Different Dragon, p. 1066.

ONLINE

Gay & Lesbian Educators Network Web site,http://www.glsen.org/ (June 15, 2008), "Respecting All Families Nurtures Everyone!" (lesson plan based on The Different Dragon).

Jennifer Bryan Home Page,http://www.jenniferbryanphd.com (May 30, 2008).

Princeton University Class of 1983 Web site,http://www.princeton83.org/ (May 30, 2008).