Talking About Olivia and St. Therese

Therese at age eight

Dear readers:

I have been having such a great time visiting Catholic schools and talking to kids about the life of the Little Flower.  I love sharing funny stories about her when she was a child and showcasing her great personality.  At the last school I visited, Sandy Casali LewAllen, the illustrator of Olivia and the Little Way, came with me and brought some of her original sketches to share with the students, which was fascinating to see.  She talked about the different types of media and how they can make a difference, depending on the type of story you are illustrating.

My favorite part?  Questions from kids just like you, who want to know more about Therese and also how Olivia came to follow her Little Way.  Just the other day, a fifth-grade boy came up to me and suggested a storyline for my next book.  And he had some really great ideas!

I sure hope I am inspiring some budding authors out there.  Therese, of course, was an author herself.  She wrote her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, while freezing in her cold cell in the convent.  This is a testament to her determination to inspire people everywhere, and to keep a positive attitude, no matter the circumstances.  A powerful lesson for all of us.

Write your thoughts down and see how far they can go!