Open Features: Grandma Moses Look Out - Here I Come
Sallie O'Donnell is one imaginative and talented grandma who has proved that it's never too late to write a book and get it published. She has written a witty rhyming good eating guide for children. Her book, published this month, is available in book stores throughout America, and also from www.amazon.com
In this article for Open Writing Sallie tells us how she became an author.
Well I went and did it again! After retiring three times, first from 23 years of teaching high school English in New York City, second from 10 years of teaching at risk high school kids in Orlando, FL., and third, from operating, with my husband, a small window décor business in New Smyrna Beach for 7 years, I am back in the world of big (I hope!) business.
The thing of it is that throughout my working life I never developed the skills necessary to prepare for retirement. I am not a joiner, never was. No hobbies. Craft challenged. Green thumb discolored. So although I looked forward to leaving the world of “have to’s” I awoke the first Monday of my retirement with a sense of dread. Nothing to do and no place to go. Having moved frequently I also lacked gal pals to hang out with. For my husband, an avid gardener and fanatic fisherman, retirement was a joy. I was jealous beyond words.
The solution came slowly. My two loves, definitely a spin off from my English teaching career, are reading and writing. So, I started a book club. The local papers ran brief notices and the first day I received 50 calls. R.E.A.D. (Reading, Enjoying And Discussing) just celebrated its third birthday. Strangers to begin with, we are now 20 bonded friends who not only meet monthly for book discussions, but also lunch monthly, and attend local theatre events and movies.
Children always were so much a part of my life and I missed that aspect of teaching. Healthy eating has always been a major focus of mine – my husband calls me the food police! Writing humorous rhymes for family occasions was my forte and it occurred to me that combining these three interests MIGHT produce a book. With the encouragement of my book club and their help in finding me the perfect illustrator I was off and running.
To my delight, a small publishing company was willing to take a chance on me. So, I didn’t paint a picture but this 76 year old grandmother of three did complete and have a children’s book published.
There is no way I would presume to give advice to prospective seniors who write or want to write. You know who you are and perseverance is the key.
Warning: writing can be done and you can still remain officially retired.
The work begins once you’re published. Your duty is to help your publisher get the word out. Full time job? Yes. Hard work? Yes. Worth it? Yes, yes, yes!
So retirement is on hold for the time being. Actually that’s not entirely true. I am busy and certainly feel fulfilled but now I am the boss of my time and I am blessed with many friends who support and help me.
I must give thanks to my lucky stars for being given another chance to be in contact with youngsters and, maybe, even make a difference in their lives.
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Sallie's book is entitled "Animals, Vegetables and Minerals - From A to Z". Here are a couple of delicious poems from it.
K for Kangaroo
Vitamin K is the choice of the spry kangaroo
Chewing leafy green vegetables and alfalfa too.
She plans a long life filled with good health and vigor
And will hop in the Olympics when she gets a bit bigger.
W for Wombat
The wise wombat while wooing the weasel's wee daughter
Took a might big sip from a glass of fresh water.
He did this quite often as one who does think
That there's no doubt that this is the world's greatest drink.
The paperback (list price $9.95) is available through www.amazon.com Sallie offers to send autographed copies at no extra charge to anyone buying the book through her email address.
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And here are further details in a press release about Sallie and her book, which was publshed this month.
Sallie O’Donnell's book links an animal and a nutritional concept in the form of a four-line verse to each letter of the alphabet. The humorous alliterative verses enhanced by the colorful witty illustrations make learning about a healthy lifestyle fun for kids and delightful for parents. In view of the national concern about childhood obesity, this book is not only educational, but also particularly timely.
This full-color book incorporates all the latest research on nutrition. Ms O’Donnell, a retired schoolteacher, draws her
information from extensive research from the most up-to-date sources on nutrition, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine, the American Diabetic Association and numerous nutritional magazines.
Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by two full-page color illustrations by artist Alea Plumley. Younger readers
will enjoy the wonderful rhythmic patterns, while older readers can benefit from both the nutritional information and the new vocabulary.
The 60-page book retails for $9.95 and is available at all bookstores, Amazon.com and www.LegacyPublishingServices.com
About Sallie O’Donnell
A native Chicagoan, Sallie O’Donnell received her education at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois.
Her teaching career spanned 33 years in both New York City and Orlando, FL. She has been published in the New York
Times Magazine and has written articles on educational topics for the Orlando Sentinel, New Smyrna Beach Observer,
Florida English Journal, and a variety of magazines. Ms. O’Donnell has two adult children, a daughter who lives in
Maine and a son who lives in California. She lives in New Smyrna Beach, FL with her husband, two bichon frises and
two poodles.
