We met at the Bar where an enormous Larry Poons perched above. I saw her enter – a petite, elegant and young woman perfectly at ease. We were at Four Twenty Five, the latest incarnation of Jean Georges. We climbed up the lushly carpeted staircase to the main dining room. The restaurant is reminiscent of The Grill in The Seagram’s building with its fluttering, diaphanous curtain wall softening the glare of the avenue below. What should we start with I asked? We both like New American cuisine so we ordered the sesame crusted Bay scallops to get the appetite going.
Jenny Kurani has written a series of award-winning children’s books – A Big Birthday Hug, The Great Adventure and Feeling Special (1st place in the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Awards, Gold Medal Winner in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, 1st Place in the Bookfest Awards). Her 3D Animated film Feeling Special has also been the recipient of many awards. All three books have the same underlying theme of acceptance and coming to terms with yourself, developing your inner confidence and being grateful for where you are. These books have been well received among both parents and children. Jenny has had a brief stint with Scholastic Education where she created educational content for children/parents/teachers.
But what attracted her to children issues in the first place? Children are very impressionable at an early stage and face challenges of their very own. These challenges progress as they grow older. Jenny feels that children’s fiction is one of the most important forms of writing. It helps provide the much needed emotional intelligence and creativity, exposes the world around them while introducing them to new ideas and reinforcing moral issues.
This naturally brought up the subject of FOMO (fear of missing out)- an existential social media phenomenon which starts at an early stage creating the psychological havoc well into your mature years. The concept is an old one – I recognized the emotion when I had first read Maupassant’s The Necklace. But social media has made it ubiquitous. I scanned the room wondering aloud as to who was immune from this modern-day affliction.
Jonathan Benno of Per Se fame is the force behind Four Twenty Five. So naturally, we ordered the lumache and the seared wagyu tenderloin. I asked Jenny: The focus is on the children, however the message can apply equally to the parents reading to the child. Her answer was that the inspiration came from her own personal life and also the people she encounters among her daily activities. The main protagonist is the Turtle whose feelings exemplify all ages who can learn and grow together. These simplified stories share a broader message for those who care to understand. But does everyone understand? As the Poet said everyone has experiences but quite often miss the meaning.
Why Turtle as the main character? According to Jenny, turtles are quiet and shy creatures, yet intelligent. They possess a hard carapace and represent endurance and persistence. Also a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. It’s her way of simplifying the message. I couldn’t help but think that Jenny embodies some of these attributes, wise beyond her years.
What makes you write and why do so when your life is full of NY social activities – obviously it’s not the monetary benefit nor the attendant fame? It’s her way of expressing herself and letting people know who she is and what she’s all about. Jenny has had many public readings ranging from inner city schools, book events and charity events. How do the children react to her stories when she reads to them? They see it as a gift being given to them and thus feel special.
It was time for dessert and the chestnut and hazelnut dacquoise we coveted. I couldn’t help but muse if there was some of Jenny in these stories, a form of subtle catharsis? Of course, I couldn’t write this without feeling some of it. Do the parents and her readers truly understand the message? Do they realize the message that rings so loud and clear is not only for the children but rings for them also. What’s next for Jenny? Her new title Ooops is coming out soon. Children and parents alike are looking forward to her message again. So am I and maybe another lunch with Jenny.
Jaswant Lalwani is a global real estate advisor and lifestyle connoisseur in New York City and the Greater Miami Area. He is also an avid writer and globetrotter. To read more of his work visit jlalwani.com
