A writer and communications consultant based near Washington, DC, Dan has dedicated more than 25 years to volunteering with childhood and family literacy programmes. His work reflects a deep understanding of how stories create connection, foster curiosity, and open lifelong pathways to learning.

Susan Josephs has worked in education since 1970. Helping develop teacher and parent resources, she’s been a part of Hoopoe Books since its 1998 inception. Her work as an educator and education consultant utilizes the findings of Dr. Robert Ornstein’s left/right brain hemisphere research. She helps teachers accelerate student learning by offering best practice literacy and social emotional strategies. She has taught in gifted and talented programs, prison schools, Head Starts, Title I schools, and after school programs throughout the USA.

A retired IT specialist from the Washington DC area, Steve has volunteered in childhood literacy programmes since 2000. His work with underperforming young readers has demonstrated the remarkable ability of illustrated Teaching Stories to engage children, unlock confidence, and make reading both rewarding and joyful.

As Head of Mental Health Education at Suffolk Mind and a Human Givens Therapist, Ezra brings a profound understanding of psychological wellbeing to Hoopoe’s mission. His work exploring the links between mental health, learning, and moral development aligns closely with the way Teaching Stories help children build emotional resilience, self-awareness, and thoughtful reflection.

A musician, songwriter, and teacher specialising in storytelling through music for young children, Steve understands the natural connection between rhythm, narrative, and learning. His work helping educators bring music and story into early childhood settings embodies the joyful and imaginative spirit at the heart of Hoopoe’s approach.

Kevan Bowkett is a Winnipeg writer, editor, and researcher. He’s also drafted an International Convention on the Evaluation of New Technologies for the ETC Group, been in the Canadian Reserves, planted trees, washed dishes, sold door-to-door, built and slept in an igloo on the Arctic Circle, worked in a daycare, lectured at universities about the global arms trade, and run for the Canadian Parliament.

Cynthia Standish has worked as a Registered Nurse Educator and Faculty in the hospital setting in the Chicago area for the past 40 years. Her background includes developing patient care programs for specialized Nursing Units, Interdisciplinary Mental Health Care programs and developing and implementing Hospital wide Patient Safety infrastructures and evidence based practices. Retired now she retains her RN license and volunteers and serves the mental health needs of those with depression, anxiety, substance abuse and family members affected by a loved one's addiction. For over 15 years she worked alongside a group of friends supporting the spread of Hoopoe books in the greater Chicagoland and Illinois area. Numerous efforts were developed by the group aimed at reaching out to Librarians, Chicago Public School teachers, Head Start programs and Multicultural Teachers of English-Language Learners. Additionally numerous presentations were held at local schools on the significance to child development of “Parent-Child Reading Together” presented by the late Jay Einhorn, PhD. At these events each child received a book. Cynthia and Jay’s four grown children grew up being read to and lulled to sleep hearing teaching stories. Today the practice continues with five grandchildren being read the Hoopoe Books