Two Left Feet
a short story from the book,
Family Ties: Thirteen Short Stories (Catholic Quick Reads)
Ages 8-12
Family Ties provides engaging stories for children that they will relate to and enjoy. Story topics include: a military father's absence from home; competition between siblings; annoying, younger siblings; having a difficult day; learning new things; dealing with grief and death; broken family relationships; the addition of a foster child into the family; embarrassing parents; making family time; visiting an Eastern Catholic church service, among others. The stories entertain and educate by providing discussion questions to keep children thinking and reading.
The Scariest Monster in the Whole Wide World
by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Lydia Monks
G. P. Putnam's Sons
Ages 4-8
Last Halloween Thea Dewhickey won second prize in the costume parade. This year her mother and father want her to come in first. Mrs. Dewhickey thinks she should wear a beautiful butterfly costume and Mr. Dewhickey wants her to be a Spanish dancer, all black and red ruffles. Thea wants a scariest monster in the whole wide world costume, with green scales and blood. Fortunately, Grandma arrives and helps everyone to have the costume she really wants.
I loved to dress up in costumes when I was a little girl, at Halloween or any time. Here is a picture of me in one of my costumes.
The Grandma Cure
by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by John Nez
Dutton Children's Books
Ages 4-8
When a cold keeps Becky home from kindergarten, Grandma Sophie comes over with her cure of orange juice and chicken noodle soup. The next day, Grandma Rosalie brings hot tea with lemon and rice pudding. On the third day, when both grandmas accidentally arrive together, they disagree on the best way to care for their darling granddaughter. Becky teaches them the rules she learned in kindergarten, "remember to share" and "take turns please", and finally her grandmas learn to behave. Happily there is always enough love to go around.
As you can see, I love to write about grandmas. I had two very special grandmothers of my own, Grandma Manya and Grandma Marian, both good cooks and good storytellers too.