I have written Nanny and I from my own experiences. I live with disabilities that limit my movements and make me dependent on others to meet many of my basic needs, and, like the Nanny in my books, I experience life in a wheelchair. This unique situation makes it possible for me to convey realities about being disabled to a child that I'm not sure would be possible for a healthy writer to even understand. I'm also not sure people can even imagine what it's like to live with someone who is disabled. My close relationship with my disabled grandmother gave me insights and wonderful experiences that I now cherish and that I tried to share with my readers in the book. In a sense, my writings seem so believable and are unique because in reality I am both the Nanny and the granddaughter that appears in my books.

I also think this book is unique for another reason. This may sound silly, but I feel that this book was a gift. When I sat down to write Nanny and I, I had no idea how to even begin. I tried various ideas, but nothing seemed to really work. Eventually I let go and waited. To my surprise, the words came and spilled out of me. I couldn't write the ideas and words down fast enough. I have had no formal training in writing children's books or in illustrating them, but sometimes we let go of our ego long enough to allow God to speak through us. I'm not smart enough to create this book, but I believe that we all can do all kinds of incredible things if we open ourselves and get out of the way.

As for the illustrations, they were another matter. Although I had no formal training, I had been drawing for years and thought it would be a breeze to create the pictures. It wasn't that easy, but in a way I think not knowing the "proper way" of illustrating children's books was an asset. I didn't follow the "rules" and, because of this fact, people often tell me that they are drawn to the pictures because they are so unique.

Oh my, there are so many things. After reading about the relationship between Nanny and her beloved granddaughter, I hope they see that barriers such as age, disabilities, or even distances don't really exist in love. After reading about Nanny's faith, I hope they realize that the power of prayer can give one the courage to face life's tough times with a sense of adventure and even joy. I could go on and on, but whether it's learning how to create a book for themselves or learning to have compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves, I hope my grandchildren will enjoy these books as they grow academically and spiritually.

When I began to write the first book in the series - Nanny and I - one of my main goals was to "show" that a Grandmother with a wheelchair is just like any other Grandma in every way that really matters. As time went on, however, and more books with various themes started to develop, Nanny and her precious granddaughter took over and began to subtly teach much more. Although each book has its own unique message to impart, a common thread runs through them all. In each story the love that bonds Nanny and her granddaughter together, not only makes Nanny's disability totally unimportant to their relationship, it also plainly demonstrates that love sees beyond any differences at all. To these two pals being together was the best, and their age differences, or any other differences for that matter, just weren't an issue. In fact, their adventures plainly showed just how much they had in common. Simple pleasures fill their fun filled days, reminding us all that money doesn't buy what's really important and that those everyday moments are what we really treasure when all is said and done. Nanny's faith and love of life taught her granddaughter more than any church sermon ever could, and her granddaughter's open-heart gladly received it. I hope these books will teach children to be just as open.

I believe that Nanny's wisdom and love will bless young and old alike. I also think that parents and grandparents will be grateful for these books because it is very difficult to find stimulating books that instill values. It is also difficult to find books that will gently expose our children to some of the sad realities of life while simultaneously preserving their innocence. Searching for such books can be a very time-consuming and difficult task and when a parent finally does find a book of "substance" it is often dull or preachy.

Grandparents will love the book because it clearly illustrates the importance of a grandparent's role in the life of a child. The books also bring back precious memories of time spent with their own parents or grandparents. Grandparents will appreciate being able to share the heartfelt moments that these books induce with their grandchildren and will find that Nanny and I will provoke conversations that might not have been possible without the help of these books.

I am getting wonderful reactions! The book has only been out for a few days and just today a minister from a local church called me. A Hospice nurse had suggested that he read the book. He was very impressed and wanted my permission to take pictures. He plans on reading the book to his congregation on Sunday and wanted to put the pictures on an overhead projector. I've worked on the book for so long, and sometimes I begin to doubt its worth. I was asked to read it to a kindergarten class. After reading the book all three teachers cried, which was just what I needed to rebuild my confidence in my work. I've met so many people like this minister and these teachers who have been touched and very excited about the book.

Actually, it was a grief counselor who first saw the book and who strongly encouraged me to publish it after she read it. She was so taken with the book that she brought it to a conference that she was attending. A few of her fellow counselors called me to offer their support and to urge me to pursue publishing it. When I did publish it this councilor wrote a wonderful endorsement for the book. A condensed version of her comments are in the Testimonials.

I always tried to tell my children and grandchildren that life's trials can make you bitter or better. Being disabled forces you to question what's really important in life and to find strengths within yourself that you never knew you had. It's funny, years ago before this disease took away my independence and my looks, I was too insecure and fearful to even think of walking this path of writing a book. It would seem that this disease would make me more insecure, but ironically, it has done the opposite. I wrote a poem years ago that I think says it all. (Click here for poem.)

Sure, his name is Coyote, but we call him Odie. I got him in April 2002 from a wonderful organization called Neads. I was on their waiting list for almost two years but it was worth the wait. I went down to their facilities and trained for two weeks before bringing Odie home. He is an incredible help. He picks up whatever I drop and can't get, he turns on the lights and he can even open the refrigerator. He does all kinds of amazing things for me, but more important than what he does is the fact that he has become such a part of our family. He is so loving and I don't know how we ever lived without him. He's such a character and he makes us laugh all the time. My second book is about Nanny's adventures with Odie and I'm really enjoying creating it. In fact, I plan on donating a portion of the profits that I make from this book to Neads so that other people with disabilities can also experience the freedom and love that I experience with Odie.

So many people have asked me this question and I'm not really sure. When I go into a store, the cashier always hands the credit card slip to my husband or my attendant to sign. When I look at my hands I can understand why they think I couldn't possibly write with these hands, but the facts are, I can write quite well. I've seen people who no longer have use of their hands draw with a brush between their teeth. It seems impossible. I do have help from my husband or grandson in getting the acrylics and other materials out and ready before I work. Once I'm situated I enjoy creating so much that I usually work for many many hours before stopping.

I love so many of the picture book illustrators and artists. I love the messages in Max Lucado's picture book. I also enjoy Mary Engelbreit's fun illustrations.

Many people tell me this also. I love Vermont and I did want to give my books a Vermont quality. I also feel that strong family values are so important in assuring that a child will grow to be a well adjusted and strong adult. Our generation does not seem to value strong family ties as folks did years ago. I do feel many people yearn to bring these forgotten values back to their children and grandchildren. I'm not sure that I consciously decided to present my book with a feeling from an earlier time, but I am very happy that so many people feel this quality after reading my book.

Yes, it's very important. As we all know, there are an endless amount of children's books on the shelves of our bookstores and libraries that cover every subject imaginable. In spite of this fact, parents often say that it is still sometimes hard to find books and products that really help our children to deal with the problems that they have to face each day. It was important to me to create books that will really speak those timeless truths to our children, as well as to adults, without being preachy. My desire is that the spiritual quality that runs through Sylables books will help our children cope with everyday problems that seem so enormous when one is young and just beginning to experience life. I want them to be books of substance that children will cherish and will want to pass down to their own children someday.

My oldest grandson, Joshua is a good example.
Joshua just turned 19, but when he was  younger, he loved to push me in my wheelchair whenever we went somewhere such as shopping. As I'm sure you realize, children often stare when they see things that are not the norm and children often stare at me and the wheelchair. One day Joshua proudly said to me, "Nana, have you noticed how all the children look at me when I'm pushing you? They think I'm lucky to be pushing you in the wheelchair!" I laughed and said, "Maybe so, Josh. "In the book Nanny's granddaughter believes the same thing.

Right now I have finished a book called "Polly, Prim and Prissy".  Now, that I have a bit more time, I plan on starting illustrations for it.  I have also started a line of greeting cards that I am very excited about.   Odie and I are alone now, so we have to find a way to make a living. I am on the look out for Vermont products to put on my website.  Sylables (the name of my company) will also produce products that will surround the Nanny and I Series. These products will be valuable tools that will enhance the books and help to make learning fun and exciting. If anyone has any interest, please call Sylvi at 802-524-0262 or email me through this website.