By Judy Carmack Bross
Mary Ellen Christy sends Vinnie on an adventure.
“Remember, things that we truly love are never lost.” –Author and noted educator Mary Ellen Christy on the premise of her soon-to-be released first children’s book “Vinnie’s Summer Adventure.”
To launch at the St. Chrysostom’s Day School Faire Extraordinaire November 16 and 17 where Mary Ellen Christy was the Founding Headmistress, Vinnie’s Summer Adventure tells the story of a little stuffed cat who found his way back home after a courageous caper.
Belonging to one of her twin grandsons, age six at the time, and possessing that same Velveteen Rabbit well-loved appearance, Vinnie’s romps introduce delightful animal friends and the joys you find along unanticipated paths.
Author and children’s education expert Mary Ellen Christy.
With illustrations by Vicky Tesmer whose paintings have appeared worldwide, including at the Cairo Opera House, it proves that the most beloved children’s books appeal to adults as well.
Illustrator Vicky Tesmer
“When I was Headmistress, my favorite time was when I read to the students. Children’s minds are so fertile and rich, and the things they genuinely love are considered real to them. As we learn more about the science of the mind, we are seeing that children have multiple intelligences,” she said.
Christy told us more about the first of several books she is authoring about a very curious cat who found his way home.
“Vinnie and Gio are two little stuffed cats my grandsons chose from a toy bin and then went everywhere with them. Vinnie was accidentally left behind at Boxed and Burlap, a coffee shop on Highway 67 in Delavan, Wisconsin where we spend time together as a family. Four months later my daughter saw by chance an Instagram message, with a photo of Vinnie, asking if anyone knew anything about this little cat that had been found under the stairs at the cafe.
“When I was young my cousin had a cat named Boots who after six months found his way home after he had been accidentally given to the wrong person at the veterinarian’s office. Loss is a universal experience, and my book is about love, loss and redemption, big concepts but one’s children can understand. Children are particularly positive people who want to find solutions.”
“When Augie told me about losing Vinnie, I had a funny feeling that he would be found. I remembered Boots from long ago. But I have also made it a point to tell each of my four grandchildren that ‘the things we lose are never really lost, even if they continue to exist only in our memories’,” Christy said.
All of Mary Ellen Christy’s grandchildren appear in the book.
A sequel Christy is writing takes Vinnie to sailing school.
“As children know when the lights go out you can sometimes hear their stuffed animals talking. Gio will be telling Vinnie that he was so impressed with his sailing skills and Vinnie will tell him that he can have a sailing adventure, too.
“I loved “Owl and the Pussy Cat” who plan to leave on their sail in a pea green boat ‘with some honey and plenty of money.’ Writing about sailing gives me the opportunity to share tips on reading the water, geometry, being in nature, and basic navigation.”
Christy recalled that her favorite books as a child were the Heidi series, My Father’s Dragon, and Brighty of Grand Canyon about a brave little burro, who brings a murderer to justice and is beloved by even Theodore Roosevelt.
“A really magical children’s book you can read over and over again: think Eric Carle and his Very Hungry Caterpillar. And author/illustrator Leo Lionni was very ahead of his time. How much I loved his Geraldine, the Music Mouse, maybe my favorite children’s book ever,” Christy said.
Marvelous illustrations rank with captivating text in the making of a successful children’s book.
“Vicky Tesmer sees art everywhere and she was so generous to come up to Delavan to meet my grandchildren who are all in the book and take photos for her drawings,” Christy said. “She holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute and teaches at the Naples Art School.”
Christy was recently invited to speak at a granddaughter’s school on writing. “I came to class and talked about how to put a book together. And I always ask, ‘where do we find book?’ My answer is ‘in people’s minds,’” she said.
“The twins are so fortunate that their father has read chapter books such as Treasure Island to them since they were very little,” she said. “I love reading books to all my grandchildren but telling stories is equally important. For the boys, who love hearing about the west, I have moved on from dinosaurs to Lewis and Clark navigating rivers.”
Vinny’s Summer Adventure has a moving dedication:
“Dedicated to all children in the world, old and young, who still believe in miracles. Especially to Ellen, Jane, Charlie and Augie, and Scout.
Visit saintc.org to learn more about the St. Chrysostom’s Day School’s Holiday Fair Extraordinaire November 16 and 17 at 1424 North Dearborn. Vinnie’s Summer Adventure will also be available on Amazon.
