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“There’s a spunky energy in the writing that goes along with the central motif.”

— DENNIS LEE, Author, Alligator Pie

“LET GO AND GO WITH THE FLOW”: Share an inspirational message with kids

Share the fantasy picture book GRACIE’S GOT A SECRET (released in fall 2011) with a curious youngster.

This uplifting story follows the adventures of Gracie the goldfish, the friendships she makes, and the lessons she learns when she escapes her fishbowl. The inspirational content includes fun, eye-catching illustrations and a list of stimulating questions to address the following:

• self-confidence
• encouragement of yourself and others
• a positive attitude
• belief in your dreams
• stillness and deep breathing
• the concept of “Don’t push the river”

Watch a 3-minute video of author Heather Conn from a March 2012 public reading and presentation

How do we learn to let go and go with the flow?

How can we teach children this concept?

Younger children (age 2 and up) love the characters and colourful illustrations (see Pictures)
Older children (age 6 and up) appreciate the thought-provoking questions at the end of the book
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SPRING 2014

Gracie and I had fun at several events on the Sunshine Coast: a reading at Windows on the Water Gallery, and at a display table at Roberts Creek Hall.

I read Gracie’s Got a Secret while Gracie looks on,
in a puppet show by my husband Frank McElroy.

Clown Trudi Frutti of Gibsons, BC read my Gracie book in between leading children on an Easter egg hunt outside Roberts Creek Hall.

NEW FOR THE 2013 HOLIDAY SEASON:

  An adorable set up finger puppets — handmade, fair-trade  products from Peru — will soon be available for purchase along with a signed copy of Gracie’s Got a Secret. The set will feature a fish, alligator, and elephant, so that kids can “become” Gracie, Mopey, and Nellie while reading the story. Watch for them at Gaia’s Fair Trade in Gibsons and at craft  fairs in November and December.

SOLD OUT: More puppets available February 2014 

Local author Michael Maser and I have fun
with my Gracie puppet while selling books
in December 2013 in Gibsons, BC.

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A father-and-daughter reading team
at the Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek, BC
during the Sunshine Coast Arts Crawl, fall 2011

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOWL

Hi, welcome to Gracie’s fishbowl. She’s an impatient and feisty little goldfish, who’s the star of my picture book Gracie’s Got a Secret. That’s her on the front cover above and inside the blue square below. Her brother, Freddie, is beside her. Her dad is on the bottom left, her mom on the right.

In my children’s tale, Gracie escapes her fishbowl and leaves her family, determined to share a secret with the outside world. Along the way, she befriends Mopey, a weepy alligator who’s stuck in the sewer, and Nellie, a circus elephant with dreams of freedom. By helping her new pals, Gracie learns to slow down and go with the flow, gaining remarkable results, and a clear way back to a loving home.

Gracie and her family: ilustrations by Lillian Lai

— Linda Williams photo (left)                                — Hugh Macauley photo (right)

Left: the author with Gracie; right: some youngsters listening to the author read
from Gracie’s Got a Secret during the 2011 Sunshine Coast Arts Crawl in Roberts Creek, BC

FOLLOW GRACIE ON FACEBOOK.  BECOME GRACIE’S FACEBOOK FRIEND.

ADD A COMMENT ON THIS WEBSITE’S BLOG.

Gracie and I had fun on Aug. 25, 2012 in Dougall Park, Gibsons, BC. It was a glorious day with lots of kids and cool things to do. We were the opening act for the TV musical duo Bobs & Lolo. Find out more on my Events page.