Ruby Takes Chicago is the sequel to Rise!
A Girl’s Struggle for More. It’s now the 1920s, and a young Ruby Dinsmore leaves her hometown of Oilton, Oklahoma, and heads for Chicago to make her dreams come true. In the first book, Ruby, born in 1904, grows up wanting to be a businesswoman and does everything she can to make it happen.
At the end of Rise!, Ruby’s family realizes her dreams can only come true in a larger town where a young woman with a college education would be accepted into the workforce. Once in Chicago, Ruby is surprised that society is still reluctant to accept women working outside the home, even in a big city. Determined to stay true to herself, she takes on life’s challenges in tumultuous times of Prohibition, protests, and women’s rights marches. Ruby meets like-minded women, and together, they break through the barriers until Ruby lands the perfect job, all amidst discovering the joys of life and love, heartbreak… and love again.
Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More is an old-fashioned, historical family drama-a sweet, yet edgy, coming of age story. Set in the 1920s, it is based on the life of the author’s grandmother. The main character, Ruby Pearl, is mature beyond her years and was born at least a decade too soon. Growing up in the middle of a family of nine children in Oilton, Oklahoma, with her nose constantly in a book, she was known as the girl that would rather read than can tomatoes. Ruby feels destined for greater things. Ruby studies hard to make good grades, while her parents smile and humor her. They continually encourage the courtship with her beau, Arthur, who they fully expect will be their son-in-law when the two graduate from high school, but Ruby has loftier goals. She admires her momma and big sister, Rilla, the “CEOs of the household” and knows some day she will have children and a home of her own to manage, but first things first!
Rise! A Girl’s Struggle for More is Anne of Green Gables meets the “It Girl” of the 20s … but with a sophisticated twist. Ruby’s ‘coming of age’ story evolves amidst the backdrop of a horse and buggy town welcoming its first motor cars, and parents brought up in the Victorian era grappling with their daughters showing their ankles and dating! Following the inspiration of the suffrage movement, Ruby becomes a pioneer for girls her age, breaking all norms, defying tradition (and her parents) to become a truly independent woman.
What will Boomer find?
Boomer is a curious bunny who loves excitement. Staying home doesn’t offer him the same fun it gives his brothers and sisters, so he hops off to see what he can see. When he does, what do you think awaits him? Join this adorable furry rabbit as he heads off into the city where he meets a range of characters and goes on a variety of adventures. Will his discoveries be the joyful experiences he expects?
This is a delightful tale for parents to read with their kids or for young readers to enjoy.
For 3 – 9 years old
An inquisitive little girl who lives on the moon wonders if earth children know about ‘moonlings’. Her mom asks her if they did, what she would want the earth children to know about her life on the moon. The little girl shares her thoughts on how she’s ‘just like them’ and with each illustration you see the connection of the earth and the moon. Creative depictions of each phase of the moon reveal a bit more of the little girl until eager readers finally see her bright smiling, full-moon face. She’s from a different place but deep down inside, she’s really ‘just like them’!
Take the imagination to a whole new level. Diann has written a story about how we are more aline than different. A theme not just for children but adults as well. Her unique way of using the phases of the moon to introduce the main character brings in the theme of how we can look so different and yet the same. The abstract art allows the reader to use their own imagination and see themselves in the story. Diann also brings her unique talents of her education background by developing extended learning lesson and activities for the teachers and readers. – Cindi FlowCindi Flow, Ed.D.
A wonderful read aloud story!
This baby bluebird will capture your heart as he shares with his momma why he doesn’t want to leave the nest and join his siblings. The momma listens to her baby bird and, with gentleness, helps him build the courage to fly and join the rest of his family. So come along for the journey and become excited for the baby bird as he discovers he can fly and soar through the sky. It is a heart-warming story and beautifully illustrated with a powerful message of “I Can Do It.”
For 3 – 8 years old
Available in Hardback or for Kindle | ASIN: B09MDX3W79 | Released: December 1, 2021
A story about a little boy who wishes for worldwide peace. Tommy leaps off the merry go round and starts singing. Peace over and over. Soon others around the world join the chorus. When you learn why he sings, you will too!
Illustrated by Judy Gaudet. Judy studied technical and medical illustration hoping to combine her career in microbiology with her lifelong love of art. Judy lives in southern Maine where she finds inspiration for her work in the landscapes, wildlife and historic sites that surround her home.
For 5 – 10 year olds
Available in Hardback or for Kindle | ASIN: B09MDX3W79 | Released: December 1, 2021
A wonderful read aloud story!
Charlie and the Tire Swing is a beautiful intergenerational story told from the perspective of Charlie and his Grandpa Jack. Over a cup of hot chocolate, Charlie’s grandfather tells the story of how he planted an acorn with his own grandfather, Charlie’s Great-Great Grandpa George, and how he tenderly cared for it and watched it grow, from one season to the next.
He shares how, over the years, as the acorn grew into a might oak tree, how each generation enjoyed the shade of the tree, climbing it, reading under it, and gathering together as a family around it. It’s a story of growing strong family ties, of sharing stories from generation to generation, and of appreciating nature and the simple things in life, like swinging on a tire swing. The learning opportunities range from the science of growing things, to interpersonal relations, the health benefits of outdoor activity, and innovation, problem solving, and creative play.
For 4 – 10 years old
HARRY THE CAMEL will surely pull on the heart strings of readers as he pines for a life he can never have. Harry lives in the sand dunes of Dubai, and he often watches from a distance as the beautifully sleek racehorses at the track run their laps.
He laments that his back isn’t as smooth as theirs and wonders how much faster he could run without his bulky old hump. As he dreams of the possibilities, Dover the bird swoops in and teases him about his hump, making him feel even worse about how he looks.
As he makes his way sadly home, he happens upon a little boy named Omar. Harry learns that Omar is lost. Who better than a camel to lead a lost boy out of the desert? In the end, Harry discovers there is nothing better than being yourself and, for the first time, Harry is proud to be a camel.
