Over the Garden Gate Press

About Leslie

Leslie Jurgensmeyer is a children's author, lifelong storyteller, and former high school English teacher with nearly 30 years in the classroom.

Her love of story began with her students and deepened as she began writing for her own family — especially her grandson, who continues to inspire many of her books. From her home in Rogers, Arkansas, Leslie writes gentle, heartfelt stories that reflect the beauty of everyday life, the importance of relationships, and the quiet lessons that shape who we become.

Inspired by family, everyday moments, and the real animals she watches from her front porch in the Ozarks, Leslie creates meaningful stories that help children navigate big feelings, relationships, and the world around them. Buddy, the curious Bernese Mountain puppy at the heart of The Homewoods Series, was born from these quiet mornings of watching and listening.

As a former English teacher, Leslie brings deep instincts for language, pacing, and the way a story lands in a young reader's heart. She thinks carefully about how text and illustration work together — never redundant, always purposeful.

Leslie is the founder of Over the Garden Gate Press, where stories are always waiting to bloom. She publishes through Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

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