sisters + friends
Johanna
Johanna “Jojo” Spath is an Early Childhood Education Specialist with an MA in Early Childhood and over 12 years of experience managing early childhood centers and teaching young children. Her love of storytelling began in 1st grade when a real-life storyteller visited her school and performed “The Hundred Dresses,” by Eleanor Estes. Captivated by the story and in awe of the magic the woman possessed, Johanna became hooked on books. Throughout her life, she has been compelled to work for children as their advocate and a facilitator in their learning. She attributes many of her most powerful life lessons to the children she has worked with; talking with them and listening to their stories.
In her graduate work, Johanna worked with Dr. Vivian Vasquez of American University, who taught her to look beyond the surface of a book’s story and to read it with a critical eye as a message about the larger world. Dr. Vasquez inspired her to teach that skill to others; “Let your practice be your advocacy and your advocacy be your practice.”
Taking that advice to heart, Johanna began this organization with her friend and sister, Lauren Spath Luhring. Together, they hope to ignite the same spark in children (and adults) that Johanna felt so many years ago. Aside from storytelling wherever and whenever she can, Johanna is also an avid gardener, mom of two awesome kids (and a dog named Jeff), wife to an incredible partner, and a PreK teacher to the coolest kids in Washington, DC.
Lauren
Lauren “Lolo” Spath Luhring has been a book lover all her life. Now a mom of two young boys, she loves sharing the joy of reading and books with her kids and is thrilled to be a part of Jojo’s Book Club, helping to share thought (and conversation!) -provoking children’s books with kids and adults all over.
Lauren believes that representation matters, books are magic, and that kids are capable of more empathy and understanding than we adults can imagine. She has a Matster’s degree in Public Administration and writes code for a living. Lauren and her family live in Colorado.