Welcome to the Jungle: A New Adventure Begins!

Dr. T.
May 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 14

Eye-level view of a playful jungle scene filled with vibrant green foliage — A colorful jungle scene with vivid tropical plants.

Stories, Speech, and Imagination—From the Heart of Dr. T

Hello, explorers! 👋 I’m so glad you’re here.

Welcome to the official home of Sammy’s Jungle Day, companion resources, and a growing world of stories designed to spark curiosity and joyful learning.

I’m Dr. Chelsea Thompson—but around here, I go by Dr. T! I’m a children’s author, illustrator, and speech-language pathologist with a doctorate in educational leadership.

My mission is simple:

✨ Create stories that make kids wonder,

✨ Illustrations that make them giggle, and

✨ Language-rich moments that make learning stick.

📖 A Journey into the World of Imagination

Every adventure begins with a single story.

Since I was little—crayon in hand and stories buzzing in my brain—I knew storytelling would shape my life. Today, that love of creativity meets research-based practice, helping me build books that are as meaningful as they are magical.

In a world where children now average 7+ hours of screen time a day, we need stories more than ever. Reading activates imagination, encourages emotional connection, and supports lifelong learning.

Just 15 minutes of reading a day can make a significant difference in vocabulary growth, school readiness, and future academic success. My books are built with those goals in mind—designed to be fun and functional tools for parents, educators, and speech therapists alike.

🐾 What You’ll Find on This Blog

This space is more than a jungle—it's a learning ecosystem! Here’s what to expect as we grow:

✏️ Behind the Scenes

Get a peek into how my books come to life—from first sketch to final page. I’ll share the why behind my creative choices, the process of illustrating with Procreate, and fun tidbits like how long it took me to get Sammy’s smile just right!

🧠 Educator + SLP Resources

Expect printable activities, companion guides, and learning ideas designed for home, classroom, or therapy sessions. Whether you're targeting WH-questions, sequencing, descriptive language, or just want a story time boost—there’s something for you here.

💬 Language Tips That Make Learning Fun

Want to build a rich language environment? I’ll share play-based strategies for building vocabulary, narrative skills, and early literacy—all backed by research and grounded in joy.

🔍 Sneak Peeks + New Adventures

Stay tuned for previews of upcoming books, new jungle friends like Finn the Fruit Bat, and fresh ideas straight from my studio. The next adventure is always on the horizon!

🌱 A Community That Grows Together

This isn’t just my blog—it’s ours. I’d love to connect with readers, educators, parents, and fellow creatives. Whether you’re looking for publishing insight, language strategies, or book recommendations, your voice matters here.

💌 Let’s Build This Jungle Together

Do you have questions you’d love answered—about publishing, language development, or illustration techniques? I’d love to hear them!

Drop a comment below, or connect with me on Instagram @ReadWithDrT. Your feedback helps shape the direction of this blog and keeps it rooted in what matters most: supporting children through playful, purposeful stories.