Amelia’s grandmother has dementia so remembering the stories of her life is a problem. When Grammy forgets where she lives, what she’s eaten, and even Amelia’s name, Amelia sets out to find a way for Grammy to remember all the wonderful stories she used to tell. Will Amelia’s solution work or will Grammy’s memories fade away?
Author’s name: Debra Daugherty
Illustrator’s name: Victoria Marble
Other book titles: THE DRAGON RING, 2016 (audible)
CALAMITY CAT, 2013 (no longer in print)
Upcoming books: GRANDPA’S BARN, 2024
HEART OF STONE, 2025
GRANDMOTHER’S QUILT, 2026
What is your book title? THE MEMORY JAR
Date of release: April 2023
Preorder or Order link: The Memory Jar: Daugherty, Debra, Marble, Victoria: 9781633738072: Amazon.com: Books
Publisher: Roan & Weatherford/Young Dragons
Agent: Dawn Dowdle
Agency: Blue Ridge Literary Agency
Hometown: Pleasant Plains, IL
1. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?
It’s a picture book about dementia.
My aunt had Alzheimer’s, and I dedicated the book to her memory.
The grandmother in the story is called Grammy, what my niece called my mom, her grandmother.
The story is about memory loss and I hope after parents read this story to their children, a dialogue is started about dementia.
Victoria Marble did an amazing job with the illustrations.
2. What are 5 helpful hints or tips you wish you would’ve known before starting on this publishing journey?
Write from your heart, not what is trending.
Attend writers’ conferences.
Join a critique group, and take their advice.
Rejections happen. Shrug them off and keep writing. Don’t give up.
Social media is an important way to connect with people. I’m overwhelmed by the love, cheers, and encouragement I receive from writers and illustrators on Facebook and Twitter.
3. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?
I like cold pizza for breakfast.
I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone.
I wrote an MG about a girl who loves to fish even though I don’t like to fish or eat seafood.
The scent of pine takes me to my happy place, my aunt and uncle’s cabin in Wisconsin.
During recess in grades 1-3, I liked to jump rope, (double dutch), and play jacks.
4. Where are 5 places that everyone should visit?
Their own country. In the US, I’ve enjoyed visiting Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, and Arizona, and my home state, Illinois.
London – The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and The British Museum.
Paris – the Louvre, cruise the Seine, then travel outside the city to the Palace of Versailles. Loved Notre Dame – was lucky to have seen it before the fire.
Rome – the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and then visit the other country in Rome, the Vatican.
Ireland – it really is the Emerald Isle. Green everywhere. A trip around the Ring of Kerry is a must. Loved Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher.
5. What are 5 book recommendations (any genre)?
The Landry True Colors series by Krysten Lindsay Hager (MG)
Bathe the Cat by Alice McGinty (PB)
Just Like Rube Goldberg by Sarah Aronson (PB)
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (YA)
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (A) (I enjoy all her books)