Read to your children. They will love it!

While at the Petersburg Harvest Fest, I just knew I'd run into a family member. Sure enough, this gentleman came by my tent and when he saw my book, Grandpa's Barn, which I had dedicated to Grandpa Anton Reiser, he bought it. Turned out we're 2nd cousins! Selfie with Cousin Bob.

Today is World Alzheimer's Day. My aunt Luella had Alzheimer's, and I was her caregiver. She inspired my story, The Memory Jar, about a grandmother who had dementia and her granddaughter who found a way to connect with her. Here's a photo of Aunt Luella, & the book she inspired. #Alzheimer #dementia

Here's where I'll be Saturday, autographing my picture books. Tons of fun for the whole family. Minutes away from Abraham Lincoln's New Salem site.

Happy Grandparents Day! Great books to share with children this day are The Memory Jar and Grandpa's Barn. I'll be reading both books at the Hillsboro, Illinois Public Library tomorrow, September 7, at 4:00 PM.

Support the Walk to End #Alzheimer's, Jacksonville, IL Community Park, Sunday, Sept. 7, at noon. My PB, The Memory Jar, helps a child understand when a loved one has #dementia, dedicated to my aunt who had Alzheimer's. DM me for handouts on making a memory jar. #EndAlz

Support the Walk to End #Alzheimer's, Jacksonville, IL Community Park, Sunday, Sept. 7, at noon. My PB, The Memory Jar, helps a child understand when a loved one has #dementia, dedicated to my aunt who had Alzheimer's. DM me for handouts on making a memory jar. #EndAlz

Jacksonville, Illinois vendor fair at the VFW on Saturday, August 16th. I'll be there autographing my picture books Cows Can't Be Clowns, The Memory Jar, and Grandpa's Barn. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by.

Jacksonville, IL, Downtown Jax First Thursday Merchant Fair, August 7 from 4-8 PM. Handmade goods, unique crafts, vintage treasures, and local produce from local artisans and small businesses. Family-friendly. I'll be there signing my picture books. Hope to see you there!

Friday, August 1, I'll be at the Indian Hills Park in Springfield, IL to read my picture books. Fun activities follow after the reading.

Friday, August 1, I'll be at the Indian Hills Park in Springfield, IL to read my picture books. Fun activities follow after the reading.

It's lovely when fan mail arrives like this one from my friend and critique partner, Suzy Leopold. She did an amazing job with the watercolor of the barn. Writers supporting Writers. The community of writers and illustrators are the best!

How did I miss this? Barn Day was July 13! The perfect time to share my #PB Grandpa's Barn. This story is based on memories of my grandpa's barn. I loved exploring it as a child. Happy belated Barn Day!

@bluepit.bsky.social #BluePit 📖 #P

@bluepit.bsky.social #BluePit 📖 #P

@bluepit.bsky.social #BluePit 📖 #P

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU #Q During a cold season, a young girl knit warm garments for the sheep, cows, hens, dog, cat and kittens but someone stole them! She has a mystery to solve. Who stole the knitted garments? And why? First clue--paw prints by the doggy door, and they lead out into the woods!

#BluePit📖 #MG #HU #Q When it's discovered the mayor wants to turn the park into a parking lot, the town folks decide to vote for Max. Max’s best friend campaigns for him, but there’s a huge problem if Max wins. Max is a bulldog. Can a smelly, mischievous, math-solving bulldog be mayor?

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU #Q A dachshund gets lost in the woods during a thunderstorm and his best friend, a potbelly pig, needs to find him. The frightened dog is not in the usual places. Where could he be? #3 in a potential series

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU #Q It's a dachshund's birthday, and he expects presents, cookies and cake. However, no one seems to remember it's his special day, not even his best friend, a potbelly pig. #2 in a potential series.

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU #Q Can a dachshund and a spotted potbelly pig remain best friends if they don't like the same things? #1 in a potential series

#BluePit📖 #MG #Q A young girl spends an adventurous summer with her friends in the Northwoods. She is determined to win a musky fishing tournament, believing if she does, her parents, who have spent the summer apart, will reconcile, but one oar is lost, and her rowboat is stuck on a stump.

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU During a cold season, a young girl knit warm garments for the sheep, cows, hens, dog, cat and kittens but someone stole them! She has a mystery to solve. Who stole the knitted garments? And why? First clue--paw prints by the doggy door, and they lead out into the woods!

#BluePit📖 #MG #HU When it's discovered the mayor wants to turn the park into a parking lot, the town folks decide to vote for Max. Max’s best friend campaigns for him, but there’s a huge problem if Max wins. Max is a bulldog. Can a smelly, mischievous, math-solving bulldog be mayor?

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU A dachshund gets lost in the woods during a thunderstorm and his best friend, a potbelly pig, needs to find him. The frightened dog is not in the usual places. Where could he be? #3 in a potential series

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU It's a dachshund's birthday, and he expects presents, cookies and cake. However, no one seems to remember it's his special day, not even his best friend, a potbelly pig. #2 in a potential series.

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU Can a dachshund and a spotted potbelly pig remain best friends if they don't like the same things? #1 in a potential series

#BluePit📖 #MG #Q A young girl spends an adventurous summer with her friends in the Northwoods. She is determined to win a musky fishing tournament, believing if she does, her parents, who have spent the summer apart, will reconcile, but one oar is lost, and her rowboat is stuck on a stump.

#BluePit📖 #MG #Q A young girl spends an adventurous summer with her friends in the Northwoods. She is determined to win a musky fishing tournament, believing if she does, her parents, who have spent the summer apart, will reconcile, but one oar is lost, and her rowboat is stuck on a stump.

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU During a cold season, a young girl knit warm garments for the sheep, cows, hens, dog, cat and kittens but someone stole them! She has a mystery to solve. Who stole the knitted garments? And why? First clue--paw prints by the doggy door, and they lead out into the woods!

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU A dachshund gets lost in the woods during a thunderstorm and his best friend, a potbelly pig, needs to find him. #3 in a potential series

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU It's a dachshund's birthday, and he expects presents, cookies and cake. However, no one seems to remember it's his special day, not even his best friend, a potbelly pig. #2 in a potential series.

#BluePit📖 #MG #HU When it's discovered the mayor wants to turn the park into a parking lot, the town folks decide to vote for Max. Max’s best friend, Riley, campaigns for Max, but there’s a huge problem if Max wins. Max is a bulldog. Can a smelly, mischievous, math-solving bulldog be mayor?

#BluePit📖 #PB #HU Can a dachshund and a spotted potbelly pig remain best friends if they don't like the same things?

@bluepit.bsky.social Here's my writing story. I started writing for my nieces and nephews. After I joined SCBWI, I earnestly honed my craft and sent out queries. I've since had five books published, (two more are on contract), and several short stories and articles. My genre ranges from PB to YA.

It's Cow Appreciation Day! Here's a sweet cow from #PB Grandpa's Barn.

It's Cow Appreciation Day! Here's my favorite cow, Bella, from #PB Cows Can't Be Clowns.

Happy Fourth of July!

I'll be there with my children's picture books, Cows Can't Be Clowns, The Memory Jar, and Grandpa's Barn. Stop by my table to meet me - the author. Autographed copies will be available for purchase. (Jerome, Illinois)

St. Rita's Summer Bash Vendor Show in Kincaid, Illinois. Crafts, Jewelry, Sewed Items, Iced Tye Dyed Clothing, Car Freshies, Tupperware, Lighted Wine Bottles, Wreaths, Pampered Chef, WoodBox Planters, Children Books Author Debra Daugherty, Diamond Art & Wood Carver.

I'm excited to be Lincoln Library's guest author for the Pop-Up Library at Indian Hills Park in Springfield, Illinois on Friday, June 20th and Friday, August 1st. I hope to see you there!

I'll be at the Gable's Market Days event in Springfield, IL with my children's books. My table will be by Curate near the spot where you turn into their parking lot. Lots of vendors. Live music. Family fun. I hope to see you there!

I will be at the Indian Hills Park, 2536 Miami Trail, Springfield, IL on June 20th and August 1st to read to the children. I hope to see you there!

Yesterday, a young man stopped by my booth and read my book, The Memory Jar. He told me his grandmother had #dementia. Her funeral was the day before. As he read, tears flowed down his face. My words touched him as they reminded him of his grandmother. He and his family bought 3 books. #Alzheimer's

Congratulations to Angie Quantrell who won a copy of Grandpa's Barn on KIDLIT411. Thank you, Sylvia Liu, @sylvialiu.bsky.social for sharing Grandpa's Barn with your readers.

I had a great time reading to the children at the West Sangamon Public Library. Later, some of the children colored while others joined me for a lesson on writing a story.

This morning, June 4, I'll be at the West Sangamon Public Library to read Cows Can't Be Clowns. It's Clown Day with red noses and animal crackers. and a fun activity after my reading. Starts at 10:30 AM.

June is #Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Today, there are more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. How does one explain to a child why Grandma doesn't remember them? My #PB The Memory Jar can help to open up a dialogue between children & their parents concerning #dementia.

Today is the one-month anniversary of my #PB Grandpa's Barn. I'd like to thank the two authors who wrote blurbs for the back cover. Alice B McGinty, and Lori Degman. I hope you take time to read what they wrote and to also support these amazing authors by buying their books.

Read the latest #Kidlit411 post. My picture book, Grandpa's Barn, is one of the books featured and there's a giveaway! You can win a copy of this sensory story. Enter to win!