NO EXCUSES FOR THE SKUNK! by Mary Alice Baumgardner Ms. Nanny Goat tells her students at The Red Barn School it is important they make a good impression at The First Family Day Event. Little does she ever suspect the impact those words will have on the kids, but not for themselves. They are worried someone might make fun of the impression their parents make! Throughout the week before The Program, those same parents confide their worries to Ms. Goat about the "impressions" their children might make. Realizing both students and parents need a refresher lesson about acceptance, Ms. Goat writes some fun songs. From these songs, the students discover they are each "unique, one-of-a-kind!" And, from their makeshift stage, they share this message with friends and family. In Ms. Goat's Note to her readers, she declares: "...Folks cared about the differences 'the others' just might find Because sometimes 'the others' could be a bit unkind. Those unkind ones don't understand they're like a certain bee That doesn't know that when it stings, it hurts itself, you see. But do you know inside of us, we're each the very same We all have bones and cells and blood, a heart, lungs and a brain? Oh, yes, outside we differ, that is surely true. Yet each of us is special ... with a special task to do!..." Yes, Ms. Nanny Goat teaches her students and their parents an important life lesson: by acknowledging and accepting uniqueness, there is no need to "make excuses." Through brilliant illustrations and a whimsical cast of animal characters, this delightful allegory teaches children about being unique. Watch for the release of "No Excuses for the Skunk!" as a musical for children's theatre. For further information, contact the author at: baumgarm@embarqmail.com "Charming with nuggets of tickles. Rarely has a valuable lesson been so much fun." -Jerry Spinelli (Author of Maniac Magee)
About the Author: Mary Alice Baumgardner is the author and illustrator of children's books. Her first book, "Alexandra, Keeper of Dreams", was performed as a ballet by The Potomac Classical Youth Ballet, choreographed by Lauren Clowser, narrated by Mary Alice and accompanied by The Maryland Symphony in Hagerstown, MD. It was amazing seeing the characters from the book come to life on the stage of The Maryland Theatre! She also wrote and illustrated "Buzzy Newton's Terrible Discovery" about admitting and correcting a mistake; and "Esther Oyster's Irritation: Turning Hurt Into Beauty". Her short stories appear in "Chicken Soup for the Mother/Daughter Soul"; in Guideposts' "Listening to the Animals" series; "Guideposts for the Spirit: Stories of Courage"; and "They Came to the Manger". Mary Alice graduated from Gettysburg College and received a master's degree in Studio Arts from Marywood University. She has taught elementary school, art, and high school French. During her first year teaching 4th grade, a predicament prompted her to want to write and illustrate children's books: At the end of one school day, a child came to her in tears, because other children had been unkind and had made fun of her. Reflecting on the situation at home, Mary Alice wrote a story about being respectful. After discussing the story with her young students, she realized that "the pen can be mightier than the sword" in teaching life's important lessons. Mary Alice's oldest son, Matthew, inspired "No Excuses for the Skunk!" by being concerned about his mother "making a good impression" at his Junior High Orientation Meeting! Mom complied, of course! Neither ever thought, then, that 28 years later, Matthew would have created the layout and design for this book! Living in the country, the Baumgardner Family had goats and a variety of pets. One summer, Mary Alice sketched Ms. Nanny Goat and other animals, including the family dog, Danny T. Boone. Alas, she had no model, except in her imagination, for Ruby Skunk! However, through colorful illustrations and a whimsical cast of animal characters, "No Excuses for the Skunk!" became a delightful allegory that teaches children about being unique. This story is being formatted as a children's musical. For further information, contact Mary Alice at baumgarm@embarqmail.com Mary Alice and her husband, Allen, live in the country, south of Waynesboro, PA where they reared their three sons and where their grandchildren love to visit.