Meet The Team

Jennifer Wilder, MSW

I have worked to restore hope in the hearts and homes of hundreds of families in both affluent and at risk communities in the Greater Hartford area in nearly 20 years of work in social services.

While developing family centered policies and programs I picked up a few useful tools to support the families I served. Those tools have been turned into a series of short stories that address what happens when children are exposed to life without important protective factors in place.

Little Red Bird

My little red bird is my grandmother, Isabel Mendes Blake. She was mother to eleven, sister to six, cousin to dozens and Mema to 89 grandchildren and counting. Mema's red house was small but it had many rooms. It was a beacon of hope for people who dreamed of change.

As a leader for the mother's of Hartford, CT and an advocate for the voiceless she was an inspiration to many. The work I do is in honor of her. I believe that she is watching me every step of the way.

Who is your little red bird?

Christina & Courtenay

Christina R. Jackson is an actress, freedom fighter, and author. Christina's first project, Look at Me, I Can Write Poetry has helped her define her passion and purpose. Christina has a passion for words and for people. She is currently working to hone her skills as a public speaker while developing the content for her first motivational speaking tour. Stay tuned...

Courtenay S. Jackson II (Deuce) is an entrepreneur and ascending freshman at Elizabeth City State University. He is a critical part of the daily operations team for Big Red Bird.

(I just love this picture,2015)

Big Red Bird, LLC

Big Red Bird, LLC is home to a series of books, blogs and tools designed to support the hearts of children and the minds of parents, teachers, counselors, early childhood and family workers. From birth to age 8 children are at a critical stage in their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. These short picture books encourage courageous conversations around difficult concepts. Unaddressed death, divorce, developmental delays, abuse and neglect can have lasting effects. In these stories you will find opportunity to meet these issues head on with hope and helpful tools for healing.

Author Visit

Jennifer is available to visit classrooms to share in an awesome literacy experience. Visits are created in partnership with educators/program coordinators to ensure activities conducted supplement current learning goals.

General meet and greets
Read-a-long with question/answer sessions
Arts & Crafts sessions
FREE Downloadable Coloring Pages
Character Development Workshops
Peer Mentor Workshops
Customized Interactive Activities

Book Truck Booking

The mobile bookstore is a new venture of the flagship business developed in response to the need to shift the narrative to a more accurate account of the availability and abundance of literature written from the perspective of an author or protagonist of color. The team at Big Red Book Truck has a regular weekly schedule through the streets of Hartford and is available to book for special events.