What are Quilt-Stories?
Linda Brodine resides in St. Charles, Illinois, with her husband, Rick. Married since 1963, they are the parents of four grown children and grandparents of nine. Linda's professional career as the director of a non-profit agency provided vast experience in business and public relations. In retirement Linda delights in family adventures and devotes many hours to writing and quilting.
Blanch LaBedz (1916-2011) always lived in Illinois and grew up in an artistic Bohemian household. Her father, Linda's grandfather, was a professional artist and sign painter in Chicago. At a young age, Blanch excelled in most art mediums and subjects—painting with oils, water colors and pastels. She expressed a true appreciation of Nature, birds, animals, and fossils. Her natural talent produced countless works of art which she lovingly shared with family and friends. Blanch illustrated the first Quilt-Stories book entitled, "Gramma, Please Tell Us A Story!"
Judy Gilmour has enjoyed art from a young age. She studied drawing, painting, and weaving at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL). She also practices the art of Rosemaling—traditional Norwegian folk painting in oils—and is active in local art guilds. Judy and her husband, Tom, reside in Yorkville, Illinois. They are the parents of three sons and have two grandchildren. Judy is a retired educator and divides her time between family, gardening, art, and community involvement. Judy illustrated the second Quilt-Stories book entitled, "Gramma, Please Tell Us More Stories!"
Quilt-Stories grew out of the many improvised make-believe
adventures my grandchildren and I went on together: unlocking hidden places, revisiting favorite memories, or leaping into the future. Whether
fact or fiction, each story presents my grandchildren and their parents
as main characters in a world of simpler times, wholesome fun, and wide-eyed wonder.
Let's open wide the windows of our minds, breathe in the fresh country air, and explore timeless childhood fantasy! "Gramma, Please Tell Us A Story!" welcomes the young and the young-at-heart to an imaginary world complete with articulate animals, valiant voyagers, wild whereabouts, and even a ghastly ghost—all sewn into eight fanciful Quilt-Stories.
"Gramma, Please Tell Us More Stories!" reunites the cast of characters from the first book while introducing several new animal friends for even more surprises. This patchwork of five fanciful adventures—each with a happy ending—promises more excitement for young readers and their families to share together.
The third book in the series—"Grampa, Please Tell Us A Story!"—gives
older children something to rave about. Five illustrated stories with more complex themes and storylines appeal to pre-teen and middle-grade audiences. There are twists and turns, spills and chills... with some nuggets of wisdom tucked in. It's a veritable thrill-ride the whole family can enjoy!
About The Author and Illustrators