***
Today, it’s my pleasure to welcome the author of the
“Grammy’s Gang” books, Flo Barnett. She’s a wonderful, warm-hearted
individual who so obviously cares about children that she’s gone and done
something about it. Entertaining the youngsters is so very important today –
the right type of entertainment. And the Grammy’s books are sooo right – modern and
delightful.
“Grammy’s Gang” books, Flo Barnett. She’s a wonderful, warm-hearted
individual who so obviously cares about children that she’s gone and done
something about it. Entertaining the youngsters is so very important today –
the right type of entertainment. And the Grammy’s books are sooo right – modern and
delightful.
***
When I retired in 2000 I was “grandchildless.” Then, miracle of miracles, my daughter sent me a beautiful
flower arrangement with a small note attached.
It read, “I can’t wait to meet you.
See you in January. Lots of Love,
your first grandchild. P.S. Do Not Tell
Anyone Yet!” Needless to say, I, along
with my hubby, were walking on air!
flower arrangement with a small note attached.
It read, “I can’t wait to meet you.
See you in January. Lots of Love,
your first grandchild. P.S. Do Not Tell
Anyone Yet!” Needless to say, I, along
with my hubby, were walking on air!
Shortly afterwards, it donned on me that I wanted to
leave this baby, as well as any others that would hopefully follow, a
meaningful legacy he or she would treasure forever. Since I’d always fancied
myself somewhat of a decent storyteller, I decided I would write something that
spoke to what it was that made him or her unique.
leave this baby, as well as any others that would hopefully follow, a
meaningful legacy he or she would treasure forever. Since I’d always fancied
myself somewhat of a decent storyteller, I decided I would write something that
spoke to what it was that made him or her unique.
Fast-forward to 2013. I now have seven grandchildren, six of which
are boys and one gorgeous princess girl. The legacy I envisioned for each one
of them has expanded exponentially into the “Grammy’s Gang” series.
are boys and one gorgeous princess girl. The legacy I envisioned for each one
of them has expanded exponentially into the “Grammy’s Gang” series.
My newest entry, “When Grammy Goes Away,” is book
number six in the series. The dedication
reads, “For my totally awesome, first-born grandchild, Brady. You are my
beginning, my now, my always and forever!”
Each book in the series attempts to address a
significant life experience in an age-appropriate, light-hearted manner. There is a ton of humor in every one of them.
significant life experience in an age-appropriate, light-hearted manner. There is a ton of humor in every one of them.
“When Grammy Goes Away” deals with the subject of
losing a loved one. Young children
operate on a concrete level; their
questions concern things like where is that person now?, what do they eat there?,
what will they see and do?, etc.
losing a loved one. Young children
operate on a concrete level; their
questions concern things like where is that person now?, what do they eat there?,
what will they see and do?, etc.
In the book, the stages of grief that everyone, no
matter their age, experiences when they suffer loss are addressed. On a personal note, I lost my dad when I was
only three years old. In those days,
adults didn’t explain death or try to understand what a small child could
possibly be feeling. It’s not that they didn’t care, they just didn’t know.
matter their age, experiences when they suffer loss are addressed. On a personal note, I lost my dad when I was
only three years old. In those days,
adults didn’t explain death or try to understand what a small child could
possibly be feeling. It’s not that they didn’t care, they just didn’t know.
In “When Grammy Goes Away,” the mother tries to help
her child see that death isn’t the end of his relationship with his beloved
Grammy. He can recall the wonderful
times they shared and know Grammy will “always and forever” be in his mind and
heart.
her child see that death isn’t the end of his relationship with his beloved
Grammy. He can recall the wonderful
times they shared and know Grammy will “always and forever” be in his mind and
heart.
And, yes, even though the seriousness of a loved
one’s passing is the focus in this story, there is a ton of humor, too!
one’s passing is the focus in this story, there is a ton of humor, too!
Thanks, Mimi, for giving me the opportunity to speak
about my “Grammy’s Gang” series. I’m
very proud of these books especially because I’m so darn proud of each and
everyone of my “Gang!” I’d love to hear from your blogger buddies. I can be reached on Twitter @FloBarnett1 or
on my blog:
flo.grammysgangbooks.blogspot.com
about my “Grammy’s Gang” series. I’m
very proud of these books especially because I’m so darn proud of each and
everyone of my “Gang!” I’d love to hear from your blogger buddies. I can be reached on Twitter @FloBarnett1 or
on my blog:
flo.grammysgangbooks.blogspot.com
****Now meet the irresistible, loveable, alter-ego herself…..
Grammy!!!
***