Donna Warren, local Loveland resident and grandma, wanted to share her love of reading and her faith with her grandchildren. So, starting in March, she began work on “Grandma Says Yes,” a children’s book about a child’s adventures with grandma. Now, it sits on both physical and virtual shelves.
Warren, known as Grandma Donna, published her book in July and had hard copies ready in August. She said the book was a way to share the things she did with her grandchildren, as well as encourage a discussion of faith.
Illustrated by her daughter, Katherine Collier, Warren said children and grandmas can place themselves in the shoes of the book’s characters, as no faces are shown throughout the story.
Warren included Bible verses throughout, and hopes it will encourage grandmas to have conversations with their children about their faith.
“It has a lot of meaning to me,” Warren said. “It’s like my connection to the community.”
1. Besides your own, what is your favorite book?
Books are wonderful. I’ve been a part of a book club for 12 years and have read so many different genres and unique stories. You don’t love them all but they each impact you in some way. Through teaching, I have enjoyed so many young reader books when reading out loud to classes. What joy it is seeing eyes light up and minds open to new ideas through books. And now reading to my toddler and preschool age grandsons, what delight it gives me in seeing them experience new words, new ideas, and filling their minds with wonder. You asked my favorite, I still can’t pick just one. I’ll just have to keep reading.
2. Besides working on your children’s book, what do you do?
I have been a substitute teacher in the Thompson School District for 19 years. Volunteering with children through my church and community has been my joy. Raising five children kept me active in leadership roles in Scouts, school and 4-H. Now grandchildren, it’s true what they say, there is no love like that for a grandchild. I take it seriously the responsibility and privilege I have to share my faith with my grandsons.
3. What inspired you to write your book “Grandma Says Yes”?
Having a love for children and knowing their need for a sense of belonging and to feel loved inspired me to write this book. I wanted to encourage grandmas to use the time they have with their grandchildren to share their faith. So whether we are building forts, having tea parties, or looking at stars, we can always be teaching our grandchildren about Jesus’ love.
4. What is the book about?
This picture book depicts adventures grandma and her grandchildren can share. The words are simple and repetitive so that pre-readers can feel successful as the pictures tell the story. The watercolor illustrations draw the readers in as they see themselves as the characters. Bible verses throughout the book give grandmas opportunities to start conversations about their faith.
5. What is the importance of making sure children have books to read?
Having a love for and joy in reading is one of the best gifts we can give children. Reading with a child creates a beautiful bond. Children’s lives are so enriched when they open their minds to read. Whatever the topic, knowledge awaits, a sense of connection and a conversation begins. Books make our world a better place by helping us explore people, places, and experiences we might otherwise never have.
Donna Warren
Age: 62, a great time of life to enjoy a new adventure. Publishing a children’s book was that project for me.
Time in Loveland: 20 years.
Where can people find the book: “Grandma Says Yes” can be found online through Westbow Press, Amazon and Barnes and Noble; on the shelves at Vintage Willow, 202 E. Fourth St., Probascos, 344 N. Lincoln Ave., Luminous Salon, 1426 W. Eisenhower Blvd., and Eclectic House, 528 N. Cleveland Ave.; at the Valentine Flea Market,10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 19 at the Pocket Park at Fourth Street and Lincoln Avenue. Contact Warren at BooksbyGrandmaDonna@gmail.com.
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Five Questions: Donna Warren illustrates grandma’s love in her first children’s book - Loveland Reporter-Herald
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