The Greedy Goose is Here!!

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       A while back, a long while back, Gracyn suggested that her and I write a story about a Greedy Goose.   She had had a recent experience in a paddle boat where her mother and her were feeding some fish.   A greedy goose had swum over to grab the food before the fish had a chance to react.   Gracyn realized that it was unfair for the fish. The goose was indeed greedy.
       I thought the Greedy Goose concept was good but I wanted to flesh out some more details for the story. I started asking Gracyn questions regarding the relationship between the fish and the goose... the relationship was a little murky. Did the people in the boat know the fish? How would you get the goose to stop stealing the food from the fish? Each attempt at clarification created more confusion. Together, we meandered around the concept and eventually developed an outline for our story.
       The single greedy goose became a family of siblings fighting amongst themselves. The greediest goose became a little gosling named Gracyn. She bullied her brother, named Max – just like her real-life brother.
       The setting of the story switched from the pond to a farmyard. In my mind, it’s the farmyard next to the pond.  The pond where the three best friend frogs lived in the “Three Frog Trilogy”.
       It’s the same farmyard, where Ms. MeMe Meow got a potato chip bag stuck on her head and it’s the same farmyard were the bird “Plate” managed to tether himself to a big bush with bright red balloons...   So, we didn’t have to move too far from the original “Three Frog” setting to The Greedy Goose setting for Gracyn’s story.
       The Greedy Goose is a story Gracyn and I imagined, developed, wrote and rewrote together. We each worked on our own illustrations. I explained the process in creating a book, I showed her how to make a layout and we met with the printer in publishing the book.
       There were numerous delays in getting this little book to print (three years) but finally, we have completed this work. A limited number of books has been completed and is now offered for sale… in time for the holidays.
       Just as a reminder, I self-publish the books through my little company “Oma Publishing”.  Both my granddaughters, RaiLee and Gracyn, have experienced the process of developing stories, writing stories and witnessing all the unglamourous work that producing a single little book can entail… I’m not a baking Oma, I’m not a sewing Oma, and honestly, I’m not much of a cleaning Oma anymore.  I’m just a storytelling Oma and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to share that passion with my girls. 
       This limited printing of The Greedy Goose (co-authored by Sue Reyzlik and Gracyn Smith) is available at the special price of $7.00 (includes sales tax) through the end of the year.  The Greedy Goose is only available at the reduced price by contacting Oma Publishing at 402-690-4926.   Shipping and handling costs (if needed) will be determined on individual orders.   Details on pick-up or delivery will be discussed at the time of ordering.
       Just remember… The proceeds from each book sold, is deposited in the Gracyn Mae Smith Special Needs Trust.  Gracyn continues to enjoy a variety of life experiences while dealing with the challenges of muscular dystrophy.  The Special Needs Trust will help pay for the future costs associated with her care. 
       A few months back, Gracyn spent the night at the Henry Doorley Zoo with her Girl Scout Troop and learned a great deal about alligators.  As luck would have it, my Great Grandfather Charles Green brought alligators from Florida to live in the greenhouse.  We may have to co-author a story about alligators in the greenhouse in the future…
        A school visit to the University of Nebraska Ag Science Campus gave Gracyn a chance to walk a horse – what an opportunity. Life continues to give Gracyn and I inspiration for writing. Gracyn amazes me with her writing abilities… a compilation of her original short stories may be another project in the near future. 
       Please consider supporting this budding new author… Gracyn has a knack for storytelling, and I hope you will encourage her writing endeavors with a purchase (or two) of her first book!  Even if you don’t have a young person in your home, you could donate the book to a local library, school, church or to a pediatrician or doctor’s office waiting room.
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