A Gift to Veterans
The cover for ‘Orange’s Favorite Things’. (Courtesy photo)
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
We all need a magical journey now and then. For Jennifer Anderson of Moultonborough, the world around us is magical. She shares her happiness and all it encompasses with children in her first book called “Orange’s Favorite Things.”
If anyone had told Jennifer years ago, during the height of her career in the military, that she would fulfill a dream of writing a children’s book, she might have been skeptical.
However, that is just what she has done with her book launching in November titled “Orange’s Favorite Things.” The book is a gift to veterans, and Jennifer explains, “I will be partnering with K9’s for Warriors and donating a portion of my proceeds from the launch day to this amazing charity.”
The partnership is a wonderful gift to those benefitting from the K9’s for Warriors program. (Readers can order the book on November 11 - not before - with proceeds going for sales only on November 11.)
The book is geared for ages 3 to 8 and is centered around a cute little ball of energy, a girl named Orange. “She is patterned after me,” Jennifer says with a twinkle in her eye.
Jennifer has always been positive, energetic and enjoys adventure. She explains, “I grew up in Maryland with my parents and my sister. I have always wanted to fly since I was a child. My dad was a big history buff. He would take us to all the battlefields, air shows, and the Naval Academy. When we would visit the Naval Academy, he would say to me I would one day go there. I fell in love with the Navy and the idea of flying through my dad. He was drafted into the Army during Vietnam and did his initial time and got out.
“My dad was the inspiration for me attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I attended from July 1991 and graduated in May 1995. I was a member of the proud class of 1995; we just celebrated our 30th reunion last weekend.”
Jennifer Anderson. (Courtesy photo)
That in itself would be a big accomplishment, but talking with Jennifer, it quickly becomes apparent that she does not let big obstacles get her down. Entering a field that was historically “male territory” never stopped her. (Much like the spunk and determination in the character of Orange.)
Jennifer’s military background is impressive. She explains, “I was a surface warfare officer first and completed my training in Newport, RI from September of 1995 until March 1996. I was assigned to the USS Wasp (LHD1) in Norfolk, VA. I was selected to transfer to the aviation community and started flight school in Pensacola, FL in October 1996. I completed flight training in 1998. (I was taught fixed wing and helicopter flight.)
“My follow-on was in HC-3 Packrats for initial h-46 Sea Knight training (North Island, CA) and I completed training in 1999. I was then assigned to my first 9 squadron, HC-11 Gunbearers (h-46 Sea knight (aka PHROG) in North Island, CA.”
She continues, “I was deployed twice as a Search and Rescue Helicopter pilot to the Middle East with the Gunbearers Det 4 on the USS Bon Homme Richard (BHR)(LHD6). The inaugural deployment for the BHR was in 2000 and again right after 9/11 in 2001 as a helicopter aircraft commander and XO of my det (det 4). We were one of the first on-scene in the Middle East after 9/11. Upon completion of my second deployment, I transferred to HMT303 (Marine Light Attack Training Squadron) located in Camp Pendleton, CA. I was a UH-1 Huey flight instructor for both Navy and Marine newly graduated flight school pilots.”
After her retirement, Jennifer (and her husband) moved to Moultonborough and Eleanor (Jennifer’s mother), relocated nearby. Jennifer and Eleanor are best buddies and share happy memories and stories. Perhaps it was growing up with a storytelling Mom that influenced Jennifer to write her book.
Jennifer says her mother always made up stories to tell her daughters. It created a world of magic for Jennifer, and she never forgot those childhood tales of children, animals and adventures. “My mother was truly the inspiration for the book,” Jennifer says.
Writing a children’s book is not an easy task, but Jennifer got help when she attended the Miriam Laundry Believe 2024 (September 2024) in Niagara at Lake Canada.
Jennifer Anderson and her mother. Jennifer’s new children’s book is set to launch in November. (Courtesy photo)
“It was an interactive experience to help develop the author mindset and a kickstart to creating. It was two days of speakers, coaching and workshops. Once I completed the conference, I started their publishing course in January of 2025 with about 20 other authors. We have monthly calls and an online course from the smallest kernel of a story to completion at the end of one year. My book will launch at the 11-month mark on November 11,” Jennifer says.
The character of Orange is a spunky, creative and vibrant child and her personality echoes that of Jennifer…and also her mother.
The story is about Orange’s favorite things, from feeding ducks and swimming with friends, filling the pages with delightful surprises and whimsical moments. Publicity for the book tells us that the book is “a heartwarming celebration of gratitude, joy and the little things that make life so magical.”
Another main character in the book is Orange’s dog, who accompanies the little girl on her adventures. “Everything in the book is taken from my life,” Jennifer explains. “It includes my parents and my sister, Heather. When I started writing the book last January, I knew I wanted it to be fun, joyful and colorful.”
Along with the fun of writing the book and it being a thank-you to her parents, Jennifer stresses, “I definitely want to give back to veterans.”
Every veteran will appreciate the message that encompasses little Orange: to have fun, not be negative but instead vibrant. “She is definitely a happy-go-lucky girl,” Jennifer adds. (One can see Orange’s personality on the book’s cover, illustrated by Amanda Porter.)
Along with writing her first children’s book, Jennifer also makes jewelry and is part of such organizations as the Moultonborough Women’s Club. She also spends a lot of time with her mother, traveling around the area and just having fun together. Additionally, Jennifer is an animal lover and says, “My mom told me many animal stories when I was growing up; we always loved to read books as well.”
All this is a world away from Jennifer’s life in the military, but she has not forgotten her fellow veterans. After the positive experience of writing her first book, Jennifer is now working on her second book. With a smile, she says she does not want to give out too much about the plot of the book. “Let’s just say it is about a squirrel!” she laughs.
The next book is sure to be as delightful as the first and will be awaited with anticipation by children (and adults) who love a good read into the magical journey of make-believe.
Discover information on where to order the book at ReadingwithGidget on Facebook and Reading_with_Gidget on Instagram.