Journey to the
Heart’s Garden
Interactive Author Experiences for Schools and Communities
Help students build emotional vocabulary, strengthen friendship skills, and practice healthy relationship behaviors through a story-based relational learning framework designed to grow with students over time.
What students experience
Experience an interactive read-aloud featuring animated, projected illustrations so every student can see and follow the story.
Practice selected relationship and emotional skills, such as honesty, forgiveness, respect, empathy, and healthy responses to big feelings.
Participate in guided discussion, reflection, and age-appropriate activities.
Close with a reflection and personal seed commitment.
More Than a Read-Aloud
Engaging Storytelling
A live, expressive author-led read-aloud that brings the story and illustrations to life.
Interactive Conversation
Age-appropriate conversation connecting story moments to feelings, friendships, choices, everyday relationships
Skill Practice
Age-appropriate conversation connecting story moments to feelings, friendships, choices, everyday relationships
Personal Commitment
Closes with children identifying a "seed" to practice afterward
Designed for Young Learners, Adaptable Across Settings
Primary experiences: Pre-K–Grade 3, ages 5–9, with developmental adjustments by age/group/setting. Also adaptable for libraries, early learning centers, youth-serving nonprofits, counseling practices, community/faith-based orgs, conferences, family events, and select retreat settings.
Interactive School Experiences
Every School Experience Includes: live expressive author-led read-aloud; guided story discussion and reflection; age-appropriate emotional/relationship skill-building; brief regulation or reflection activity.
Program Planning Note: School/host provides space and supervision. Projected illustrations preferred when AV is available, but not required. Travel quoted separately.
Early Literacy • Emotional Literacy • Friendship and Relationship Skills • Belonging and Positive School Climate • Family Engagement
Early Literacy • Emotional Literacy • Friendship and Relationship Skills • Belonging and Positive School Climate • Family Engagement
Additional Author & Community Experiences
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expressive read-aloud + conversation + brief activity; for literacy programs, youth programs, bookstores, libraries, community gatherings
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seasonal story-based experiences
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reinforcing emotional language, accountability, regulation, communication, connection at home
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joint storytelling/reflection activities
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professional learning for emotional literacy, relationship skills, regulation, classroom practices
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adaptable for literacy initiatives, family conferences, youth events, community celebrations
Extend the Experience Beyond the Event
Organizations often pair programming with book copies so kids/educators/families can keep reinforcing the story's themes — extending into classrooms, homes, counseling/youth programs, summer learning, family engagement, community literacy. Books and programming may be coordinated through a single organizational quote or invoice.
About Dr. Keneca Boyce
Dr. Keneca Boyce is a licensed therapist, Relational Intelligence Specialist, author, trainer, and speaker with 20+ years supporting individuals, children, families, educators, and communities. Her work brings together trauma-informed insight, emotional development, storytelling, and relationship-centered education. Through Journey to the Heart's Garden, she introduces children to foundational emotional/relationship skills through story and reflection. Available for select in-person engagements throughout the U.S., plus virtual programs domestically and internationally.
Bring Dr. Boyce to your school, library, or organization
Tell us about your audience and goals, and our team will follow up with availability, program details, and next steps.
Bring Journey to the Heart's Garden to Your School or Community. Tell us about your organization, audience, preferred dates, program interests, and anticipated book needs. After review, you'll receive next-step info on availability, planning, and purchasing. →
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pre-K–Grade 3, ages 5–9; adjusted by age/group/setting
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generally up to ~60/session; larger audiences discussed during planning
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No, preferred when available but not required
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Yes, per selected format; additional books can be ordered
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Approved orgs may request institutional invoicing/PO coordination
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Yes, select in-person U.S. engagements based on location/scope/scheduling; virtual available domestically and internationally