If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

Gingerbread Grandma

by Evelyn Wilhelm Behrens; Illustrated by Sue Durkee Monroe

24 pages; Saddle stitched; contains colour illustrations; catalogue #06-1420; ISBN 1-4120-9664-2; US$10.99, C$12.64, EUR9.03, £6.32

With the Great Depression as the initial setting, "Gingerbread Grandma" uses the life of Grandma Wilhelm at Halloween to illustrate for young children that simple kindnesses are timeless.

Gingerbread Grandma written by Evelyn Wilhelm Behrens, is a nonfiction children's book based upon the life of the author's mother, Audrey Wilhelm. Mrs. Wilhelm began baking cookies at Halloween for the children of her community of Cambridge, Ohio, during the Great Depression. She had a tremendous response from trick-or-treaters and decided to do it every year. The book spends a great deal of time detailing in meticulous fashion the preparations Mrs. Wilhelm made for that first Halloween and describes the excitement and anticipation that grew as the big night approached. It explains what motivated Mrs. Wilhelm to do this for much of her adult life. The conclusion of the book summarizes the joy Grandma Wilhelm experienced through giving to children.

Gingerbread Grandma is a story for young children. It was written in a simple style and rhyme pattern that small children will enjoy. The lesson it teaches young children is easy to understand: It is good to share and you often receive benefits from sharing, even if you're not aware of them.

The illustrations in "Gingerbread Grandma" were drawn by Sue Durkee Monroe. Mrs. Monroe is an accomplished artist and lives with her husband, Wells, in Ovid, Michigan.

Evelyn June Behrens was a teacher and pastor's wife. She was a published author of numerous poems and nonfictional short stories. Born in Ohio, she lived much of her adult life in Michigan with husband, Erwin, and their five children. She died in 2005.

Excerpts

---

---