J A Ruth

Jim Ruth, PhD, is a life coach, children’s author, and emotional-wellness advocate who believes that every child deserves to feel seen, understood, and supported. As a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and years of experience helping adults manage stress, regulate emotions, build confidence, and build successful careers, Jim brings those same powerful principles to the stories he creates for children.

After guiding thousands of professionals through emotional growth, Jim began imagining how early these tools could empower children—especially those just beginning to understand big emotions like happiness, sadness, frustration, and courage. That vision became Glowberry Woods, a magical place where young readers learn to pause, breathe, and explore their feelings through the gentle adventures of Benny Bear and his woodland friends.

Jim’s stories are written with two hopes in mind:

✨ For children:

To help them realize that big feelings are nothing to fear — they are simply part of being human. Through playful storytelling and soothing rhythms, Jim inspires kids to find calm, confidence, and clarity inside themselves.

✨ For parents, educators, and caregivers:

To offer simple emotional-regulation tools they can model at home, such as pausing, breathing, naming emotions, and returning to calm together. Jim believes that every reading moment is an opportunity to build connection and security.

When he’s not writing or coaching, Jim enjoys his career as a Director of IT Digital, traveling to experience different cultures, spending time with his family including 2 grandchildren, and dreaming up new Glowberry Woods adventures. His mission is simple:

To help families grow stronger, braver, and more emotionally connected—one story at a time.