I am an author and illustrator of children's books based on the character, Eliza the Mouse™, who resides in Grammy's House. I have self-published 12 of my 13 titles, and I am currently working on the title Eliza Visits the Ballet 

slated for release, late summer.

That's what I tell folks, when they ask what I do. 

And this is a photo that shows me doing just that….

But THIS is what I live for…

Getting dressed in a pretty frock (there had been a wonderful

sale

)

and slipping on some girlie

slippers

….

climbing into the passenger seat (husband/Big Daddy at the wheel)

…my menagerie of characters…

mousie tales…

and coloring books 

all tucked in baskets in the back seat...

making our way to Story Hour.

THIS is why I do what I do.

It happened to be story hour at this wonderfully charming 

Public Library…

in Martin, Tennessee (not far from UT Martin)

The reminder was there…the flag flying half-mast…

those lives lost in Orlando…

But for a little while…we would help these children forget the tragedies…the fear…

just for an afternoon, they wouldn't have to overhear the news broadcasts, the conversations…

they wouldn't have to be afraid.

I was greeted by the most wonderfully welcoming staff.

I was introduced to the bright-eyed Jenny Claiborne (Youth and Children's Services Director)

and she quickly introduced me to her daughter, Sadie…an ambitious young lady…looking forward to 5th grade …and adamantly pursuing information on how to publish her book. 

Yes. She's written a book.

I was impressed with her passion.

We were taken to the conference room and she helped with the arranging of my books.. and tiny mousie belongings…and Mrs. Beasley was loved on and positioned on the table alongside the book for summer…

Eliza Meets Ella Grace Louise

Sadie then asked if I would like a tour of the children's section of the library,

and down the elevator we went.

I quickly spied the most fantastic antique rocking chair.

It was calling my name.

I sat down into its cushion, and as I rocked, it made the most comforting creaking sounds.

When I mentioned this to Librarian Jenny (Sadie's mother)

she asked, "Would you like us to take it upstairs for you?"

Would I!

And here it is….

and when I found my perch, there, the children began to gather...

I introduced them to Eliza…

I had introduced them to Mrs. Beasley…

my favorite doll from my childhood….that I had received on my 10th birthday, 

when I was in 5th grade, in 1971.

They started doing the math and figured out my age,

and quite a conversation ensued.

Can you see Sadie, sitting 'neath the table, there, inspecting Mrs. Beasley. 

I let them take turns holding the doll and Eliza and John Jacob. 

John Jacob still smelled like coffee, according to Logan. 

He and his older brother Nathan, were two of the most inquisitive little boys…

filled with questions and comments and humor. 

Gosh, we need more Logan's and Nathan's in the world.

This darling girl, fell in love with Eliza...

Children continued to trickle in, find their best friend, squeeze in.... 

I held up the book for summer.

I opened it to the doily page and read…

"There is no such thing as a child who doesn't like to read, 

only those who have not found the right book."

I told them, "Eliza isn't like a cartoon character with thoughts above her head in a bubble..

Her thoughts float above her head in a doily, because she's an old-fashioned girlie mouse."

(I'm quite animated…and talk with my hands…a…lot…)

(and you'll see, Mrs. Beasley is now having a turn with Sadie's best friend)

I begin to read the story…

and then we find out there's a little girl named Ella..

sitting right in front of me…she's Nathan and Logan's sister..

and I say, "Wait just a minute…Your name is ELLA?"

She grins and says shyly, "Yes."

and I ask…

"What is your middle name?"

grinning, she responds, "Grace."

We just had to take a moment to take it all in…

She has strawberry blonde hair…and a few little freckles upon her nose.

She is 8.

What a special moment.

So the story continued…

and every time I said, "Ella…"

They responded in chorus..

"Grace Louise"

We had the most fun.

And here is this little Ella Grace…

and here is smart little Sadie…

I showed the children my scrapbook/journal/diary from Martha's Vineyard

and then the actual book, along with my Nantucket basket purse filled with mementos …

and then, to show them one of the stages of the process of book writing/illustrating,

I opened my portfolio of watercolor illustrations and handwritten calligraphy text 

and read from my work in progress, 

Eliza Visits the Ballet.

I came to a line in the story, referring to the ballerina posing, 

and I asked, "Is there anyone who takes ballet?"

Littlest girlie raises her hand. 

She's 4. 

She's brave and too young to be intimidated or self-conscious.

...and she poses

(Did you notice the eye contact she's making with Eliza?)

Precious girl.

And then this young lady finds her courage and comes to me saying..

"I've just finished my 5th year in dance!"

And I ask, "Would you like to show us a pose?"

She doesn't hesitate.

So proud for the opportunity to show her skill and her poise.

Oh, to have the self-confidence of that 4 year old. 

When do we lose it? 

Is it somewhere between 4 and 10?

and then it doesn't return until we're 54 and a half?

This. THIS is why I do what I do.

Why I work on writing…editing..re-writing…

trying not to deliberate too long over the words, knowing that God gives me just the right ones

…and usually it's around 3 or 4 in the morning..

when my mind is at rest from all the distractions and noise..

when He can whisper the ones that are the most important.

THiS is why I work diligently at that little oak table out there in my Storybook Studio

swishing that brush…playing with those watercolors…

following His inspiration to create illustrations that will help interpret the message of the story.

It is all for the purpose of having an opportunity like this... 

to come to Story Hour

in this lovely old Library that once housed the Post Office..

in this small university town of Martin, Tennessee.

...To be able to tell these children that it is okay to dream,

and that it is okay to love a little mouse,

and dollies,

and ballerina slippers,

and twirly dresses…

even when you get to be 54 and a half.

Me and my Mousie girl…

we will keep dreaming and sharing and loving...

and we are forever grateful for your support and encouragement along the way.

Blessings, friends.