Meet the Heart of My Story: My Grandmother

As I get closer to publishing my next children’s book, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to the characters who bring my story to life. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a little peek behind the scenes, one character at a time.

And who is better to start with than my grandmother?

My new book takes place in the 1950s at our family cottage, a place filled with laughter, fun and the kind of childhood memories that never leave you. At the center of it all was my grandmother, who had a remarkable way of turning very little into more than enough. I still smile when I picture her standing in the tiny cottage kitchen, trying to figure out how to feed hungry children with hardly anything in the refrigerator. Luckily for us she had survived the depression and was employed as an elementary school cafeteria cook. She was used to taking food and making it stretch. Nothing ever went to waste.

Not only is my grandmother the inspiration for this story, but she is also the inspiration behind my publishing company. Blueberry Pancake Publishing is named in her honor because so much of who I am today, and the path I’m walking as an author, was shaped by her quiet strength, creativity and love. Every time I sit down to write, I hope I’m creating something she would be proud of.

This story is written in rhyme and full of the kind of charm that makes me think of her. My hope is that as you meet each character in the weeks to come, you’ll feel the same warmth and joy I felt growing up surrounded by them.

So, here’s to beginnings, to family and to the little cottage that holds so many big memories.

Stay tuned, next week I’ll be sharing another character who makes this story so special.