Oliver the Ornament is a heartwarming tale of one family's cherished Christmas ornaments. The story centers on Oliver, who has been with this family since Mom and Dad's very first date. Years later, Oliver, now injured and bullied, still has the magic of Christmas in his heart. "The story follows Oliver's excitement for Christmas, his heartbreak, and his determination to overcome all odds to save the day. Oliver, along with his friends, will warm your heart with his kindness, humility, and love for his family and friends. We hope the story will bring families together to tell the stories of their own ornaments and the special meaning that so many of them possess. Because after all, "Every Ornament Tells a Story."
BUY THE BOOK:
website
Guest Post
What is the coolest thing you have done as an author?
In early 2018, my mom, who was a huge part of my business, called me to suggest I get our book in the hands of the First Lady. One of the components of the First Lady’s Be Best initiative is to fight bullying, so there’s a natural synergy with Oliver the Ornament. I took my mom’s advice, and wrote myself a note saying, “First Lady outreach.”
Several months later, my mom passed away very suddenly. It was a devastating loss on many fronts. Returning to work was a challenge, because she was such an integral part of my business. In August of 2018 I came across the note I had written myself with my mom’s suggestion to contact the First Lady. Seeing that, I immediately thought, “This was mom’s idea, I need to do this.” So, I wrote the First Lady’s Chief of Staff, saying I admired what they were doing to combat bullying.
Less than three month later, I was contacted by the First Lady’s office saying she would like to read Oliver the Ornament at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC, in the annual First Lady holiday visit. This is a tradition that started with Bess Truman, and has continued every year, with every First Lady since. I was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, saddened that my mom wasn’t here to see this incredible achievement, and humbled by this enormous honor.
In December, I traveled to Washington DC, met the First Lady and sat next to her as she read the story to an audience of children taking in her every word from my story. As she was reading the story, I had to pinch myself, thinking, “The First Lady of the United States of America is sitting right next to me and she’s reading my book.” It was an amazing experience, one that I know my mom and dad were watching right beside me, both beaming with pride.
In October 2019, shortly after releasing the second book in our series, Oliver the Ornament Meets Belle, I was once again contacted by the First Lady’s office. This time telling me that the First Lady had selected our second book to be read at the 2019 gathering at Children’s Hospital. Once again, I traveled to Washington D.C., and sat beside the First Lady as she read my second book. As she did, I thought to myself, “Only in America could a dream like this come true.”
This year, we’ve released our third book, Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley & Joan and Abbey. Marley & Joan are the angels in the story, and Marley is named after my mom, while Joan is named after my mother-in-law. Will the First Lady select my third book this year, inspired by my mom’s own name? It sure would be fitting. But we’ll have to wait and see……
Enter the Giveaway:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.