| It's here! Grandma Janet Mary signs new book By RHONDA WESTFALL One look at the lovely periwinkle blue cover with its gorgeous illustration of the author and a grandchild will make I Wanna Go to Grandma’s House, a must-have purchase for any book-lover.
Area resident Janet Sinke’s debut effort as an author is sure to produce rave reviews from readers Ñ whether they’re grandparents or not. "It’s just so thrilling," the well-known local lady said of the hardcover children’s book that is the first in her series of ‘Grandma Janet Mary’ stories. Detailed information about the book and its publication will be forthcoming in an article in next week’s paper Ñ but we are pleased to provide in this issue the following listing of upcoming book signing dates and local places where the books will be available for sale. Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to noon, Treasure Chest, downtown St. Johns; books available for sale. - Monday, Feb. 23, 2 to 4 p.m., Clinton Memorial Hospital, St. Johns; books available for sale in the CMH Auxiliary Gift Shop. - Friday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Lawrence Hospital, Lansing; books available for purchase. - Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to noon, Brigg’s Library, St. Johns; book available for check-out. - Saturday, March 13, 1 to 3 p.m., Wee Little Me, downtown Owosso; books available for purchase. - Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Today’s Memories, Tomorrow’s Treasures; books available for purchase. - Saturday, March 20, noon to 2 p.m., St. John’s Kroger Store. - Saturday, March 27, noon to 2 p.m., Twiggies, downtown DeWitt, books available for purchase. Other book signing dates are being scheduled. The book is also available for purchase at the following area businesses: Haddad’s in St. Johns, Rehmann’s in St. Johns, Douglas J Hair Salon in Okemos, Community Newspapers in Frandor, Schuler’s Books in the Meridian Mall and Eastwood Town Centre, Lansing Airport Gift Shop. Books are also available by calling (989) 224-4078, or on-line at www.mygrandmaandme.com
Battle with Parkinson's Disease creates new page in life for Grandma Janet Mary
By Rhonda Westfall Janet Sinke has put a different twist on the familiar expression of 'a new door opening when one closes' as it relates to her struggle with Parkinson's Disease. The Clinton County native is "turning pages in a new book" - children's books that she is writing and self-publishing.
Being aware of the importance of the "simple things" is a tenet of the Rodney B. Wilson High School alumna whose 31-year career in nursing culminated in service as a home health and hospice nurse and clinical manager of Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. "At the end of their life, nobody talks about how much money they have or how big their house is - it's the simple things like faith, family and friends that are important to them," Sinke said of experiences in the 'old' pages of her life that she is using as a basis for her new endeavor. Enjoying and learning from the "simple things of life" form the framework for Sinke's stories, evident in the verses and illustrations of "I Wanna Go to Grandma's House" which is the first in the Grandma Janet Mary series of books. Baking cookies, working in the garden and other 'routine' tasks help create the lasting bond of family love that Sinke writes about in the rhyme text of the 48-page hardcover book which is being beautifully illustrated by Craig Pennington. The Williamston resident is a graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design who has won numerous awards including the Kirchoff & Wahlberg Award for the Society of Illustrators. "God dropped an illustrator into my lap," Sinke said of her introduction to Pennington that came about as a result of his acquaintance at church with her son, Jake. "I knew the illustrations in the book had to be 'real life' which is Craig's specialty. When he saw the text for the book, he said he'd love to have a chance at doing the illustrations." The full-color book about a day spent at Grandma's house comes alive through Pennington's illustrations. "His knowledge and experience as a graphic designer combined with exceptional artistic talent creates not just another children's book, but a true keepsake for young and old alike," Sinke said. The desire to make lasting memories is an important motivation for the 'real life' Grandma Janet Mary. The birth of her first granddaughter, Ellen Palmatier, two years ago helped Sinke battle through the early stages of Parkinson's following the initial diagnosis in August 2001. "Becoming a grandmother for the first time helped me realize I had to keep fighting," Sinke said, adding that the births of two additional grandchildren to date, Madalyn Palmatier and Ethan Sinke, have provided even more incentive in her battle with Parkinson's and her commitment to publishing the Grandma Janet Mary series. "My entire family - especially my husband, Mike - has been so supportive of this project," Sinke said of the couple's children, Sarah and Mike Brya, Emily and Kevin Palmatier, Jason and Nicole Sinke, Jake and Barb Sinke and Michael Sinke. The underlying desire of the new children's book author is best described in her own words contained in an introduction to the Grandma Janet Mary series where she talks about grandparenting as being "life's reward for growing old." "A second chance to love a child with quiet wisdom and soft wrinkles - a second chance to love a child who calls you 'Grandma.'" While a definite timeframe for the publication of "I Wanna Go to Grandma's House" has not been established, Sinke hopes to have copies ready for delivery by Christmas. She is in the process of contracting with individual bookstores and other outlets that will carry the book, and has also established a mailing list for potential buyers. To get on the mailing list write to: My Grandma and Me Publishers, PO Box 144, St. Johns, Mich., 48879, or send an email message to sinkemj@chartermi.net Sinke is also in the process of developing a website for distribution of the books. "This is an exciting time - I'm so thankful for the opportunities that have been presented to me," Sinke said.
|
"You have to be open to the
Spirit," Sinke said. "I really believe the Lord is using this to slow me down
and make me appreciate the simple things in life - and guiding me to find the words that
pass that message along through these stories."