Welcome to the official site of Mary Jane Schoenbaum, author of the Bug Bugs & Friends series. Through her gentle stories, Mary Jane shares a love of family, friendship, music, and imagination, creating sweet moments for children and the people who read with them.
Palisade – Volume 1 plunges readers into a gripping saga of power, survival, and betrayal. As factions collide and hidden forces shape the fate of civilizations, alliances are tested, and loyalties shattered. With relentless action and profound themes of duty and destiny, L. B. Duke weaves a masterful tale that will captivate readers from the first page to the last.
Mary Jane Schoenbaum, lovingly known as Janie, was raised in Rochester, New York, by artistic parents who inspired her lifelong love of music, creativity, and the arts. She studied piano at the Eastman School of Music and spent 16 years dancing with the Mercury Ballet Company.
After college and graduate school, Janie married her husband George, and together they built a deep love for traditional American music. While living in California, they joined a banjo band, where Janie learned to play the washtub bass, and George played banjo. After returning to New York, they founded the Riverbank Banjo Band, which grew into a not-for-profit group with 34 members and, over 28 years in Poughkeepsie, donated more than $500,000 to schools for children with disabilities.
Palisade – Volume 1 plunges readers into a gripping saga of power, survival, and betrayal. As factions collide and hidden forces shape the fate of civilizations, alliances are tested, and loyalties shattered. With relentless action and profound themes of duty and destiny, L. B. Duke weaves a masterful tale that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. This is not just a story-it’s an immersive experience that challenges perceptions and keeps you questioning until the very end.
Book 1 introduces readers to Lady Bug and her two little Bug Bugs, who live together in a cozy mushroom house tucked inside a peaceful forest clearing. Their days are filled with snacks, stories, laughter, and visits from their insect friends. When Lady Bug shares the happy news that two new little Bug Bugs will soon join the family, the children eagerly help get ready by gathering soft green moss for their beds. The story is filled with warmth, love, and a strong sense of home.
It gently celebrates family life, helping others, and the joy of welcoming new beginnings. This first book sets the tone for the sweet, caring, and comforting world of Bug Bugs & Friends for readers.
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Our Father's and Our Mother's Family, and its Influence
My Schooling, and its Influences
Leaving Home, Seeing the World , Without a Net 16
Sewanee , Finding My Own Lane 19
UNEQUAL TREATMENT 22
Belief, Conscience, and the Life I Chose 49
Marriage, Law School, and Becoming a Professional 24
How My Character Was Built 35
Work, Hustle, and Learning to Carry My Own Weight 39
Where There Was a Need 43
Public Service, Leadership, and the Obligation to Reach Back 46
Friendship is one of the first and most important relationships children learn to understand outside the family. It begins in small ways. A shared toy. A walk together. A kind word. A moment of waiting, helping, or listening. For young children, these
Some children’s stories are exciting and fast, while others feel soft, familiar, and deeply comforting. Stories about nature, home, and belonging often fall into that second group. They may seem simple at first, but they leave a lasting impression because they speak
In a world that often feels rushed, loud, and full of distractions, gentle stories still hold a special place in a child’s life. They may seem simple at first, but their value runs deep. For young children, stories do much more than