Local author encourages children to stretch their imaginations
Linda Brodine, St. Charles resident and children's book author, has published a second volume of Quilt-Stories titled "Gramma, Please Tell Us More Stories!"
This second helping of Quilt-Stories reunites the kids, grandkids, and a variety of animal friends for even more surprises. Book two is also fully illustrated by Judy Gilmour, a Yorkville resident, artist and retired teacher.
The five new tales compliment the eight stories from Brodine's first book, "Gramma, Please Tell Us A Story!" continuing to promote wholesome, teachable messages and encourage children to use their imaginations.
The concept originated from her nine grandchildren who asked her to tell them unusual stories using their own chosen themes, weaving topics like an underwater creature, a family vacation, and a mermaid rescue into one tale.
"They would ask me, 'Gramma, please tell me a story.' It turned out to be a wonderful gift I didn't know I had," Brodine said.
Combining her love of quilting and storytelling, Brodine has created a themed quilt for each of her 13 stories, which exist two-dimensionally in her books, and also in 3-D, which she showcases at quilt and craft fairs, trunk shows featuring stories and quilts, and free presentations to schools.
The goal of Quilt-Stories is to celebrate the innocence of childhood and reinforce the rich legacy of storytelling.
Both books, "Gramma, Please Tell Us A Story!" and "Gramma, Please Tell Us More Stories!" are available for purchase at www.quilt-stories.com or by emailing linda@quilt-stories.com.
Local stores carrying both books are Town House Books, 105 N. Second Ave. in St. Charles; Prairie Shop Quilts in Batavia; Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe, 72 S. Main St. in Oswego; Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom, 5126 Stephens Road in Oswego; Glen Ellyn Historical Society, 800 N. Main St. in Glen Ellyn.
Join Brodine at an upcoming book signing event Friday, Nov. 28, at Prairie Shop Quilts, 1911 W. Wilson St. in Batavia.
A school presentation will be given in Chicago commemorating the Ben Carson Reading Day Monday, Nov. 17; and a presentation to second-grade classes at Davis Primary School in St. Charles, in January, 2015. Check the website www.quilt-stories.com for upcoming events.
Brodine makes donations of her books to children's agencies as an active member of the St. Charles Kiwanis, an organization serving many area children and family services. She is also a member of the Chicago Writers Association.