But Actually Not So New!

This week, I had the absolute delight of receiving an email from a dear friend from my early days on Medium — a season when I was writing about Gracie for the very first time. Alison taught third and fourth grade reading in warm, sunny Florida. She read my first two GraciePress books, PeeP! and BwöwK!, to her students, and they sent me the most delightful illustrated “Thank You” letters. Those letters are worth more to me than any royalties I’ve ever earned. The more I think back on that time, the more I realize it truly was The Golden Age of Gracie.

I’m including a video I made during that era. It says more about My Gracie — and what she helped me create — than I ever could in words. The message she wanted all people everywhere to know is simple and profound:

You are more than good enough.

Note: Be sure to have audio ON (There is no audio at all for the first five seconds until the title screen fades.) You may also want tissues handy because this always makes me get teary eyed because Gracie is so beautiful as are my memories of her. You can also make this full screen on your device using the icons along the bottom.

When Gracie died unexpectedly in February of 2022, everything became disoriented. I needed one of my remaining hens to step into her role as Editor‑in‑Chief. For a while, I thought it might be Amelia, but before anything became official, only Pearl remained. And so the mantle fell naturally to her — My Precious Pearl.

I’ve returned to that original “Gracie” way of looking at life — gentle, grounded, and rooted in the natural wisdom of the Backyard Garden. Going forward, you’ll begin to see new content from me and Pearl, my last remaining hen. When she is gone and laid to rest under the camellias with the others, there may be no more chickens and no more GraciePress stories unless readers continue to enjoy what I’m able to create, even as my eyesight dims and my hand grows shakier.

Until then, we want to leave you with as much as we can. Because as long as we are remembered, we live on. And we are just like you — more than good enough.

Our first new book reflecting this return to our roots will be tentatively titled Gracie’s Alphabet Book of Values. Values are “safe” in public school settings, just like the message in the video above. This book will be aimed at our youngest future readers and likely dedicated to Mrs. Alison and her kindergarten students.

Thank you for reading, following, and commenting.

John Spiers, Author and Illustrator, (and Ernest, Watchkeeper)