Hey FFFers! Today, I’m sharing a different kind of picture book. Rachel Gregory came to me with this book idea, and after several rounds of revisions, she has a wonderful book families and teachers can use to help young children through the grief process.
Thanks for being here, today, Rachel!
RG: I’m happy to be here!
FFF: Rachel – as your editor, I know the story behind your debut picture book, The Great. I know my readers will be interested in learning about what happened to your family and why you wanted to write a book about it for children.
So many families have lost babies in a miscarriage or shortly after birth, and many of them don’t really talk about it. We both agree it helps with the grieving process if people are made to feel comfortable sharing what they want to share.
So, with that in mind, please tell my readers what happened to your family.
RG: After losing my son to extreme prematurity and giving birth to my rainbow daughter - I wanted to write a story that I could share with her. A story where I could explain death in a language that a child could understand as well as the hope that comes after.
Children are sheltered from various topics and I believe that pain and adversity should not be a sign of defeat but used for teaching them how to find hope and turning it into something beautiful.
FFF: I love that! God doesn’t waste anything, especially our pain. What made you want to write a children’s book about it?
RG: This was not an easy story to tell, but telling it from the eyes of a third grader with an optimistic and creative view turned this tragic narrative into a beautiful story of hope and this is the lesson I hope both parents and children would gather from this book.
FFF: I totally agree. What is your goal for the book?
RG: It is my burning desire that this book help as a guide to initiate sensitive topics within the home as start guide. I want this book to help as a comfort to both children and families knowing they are not alone. That this book will bring them hope, comfort, and healing. I hope this book reaches beyond my wildest dreams and its intended audience.
FFF: I hope the same! The title of your book is The Great. Tell us how you picked the title and what it means.
RG: Well, it takes great courage to draft such after having gone through such loss. My son was a great fighter. He wanted to live! But the complications were too much for his small body. The book represents all that I hope to teach children – the courage to be great in all areas of live even when life doesn’t go the way you so desired.
FFF: What a wonderful gift to give to children! Please give us some information about the organization you started.
RG: The Turks & Caicos Premature Foundation comprise of a group of mothers/fathers set out to assist families by providing grieving support to other families that have gone through the loss of an infant and awareness to others. Families will often ask “what next?” and having gone through the same loss, are grateful to be able provide some form of comfort and assistance in this time.
FFF: Can you give us the most important tip for handling this kind of grief?
RG: The greatest advice would be to allow yourself to go through the motions of grieving, the depression, anxiety, anger etc. seek professional help if you must, meditate, go for a run, have a glass of wine- whatever works for. But know that you can’t stay there forever. It is not a healthy place.
FFF: Good advice. Do you think you’ll write more stories?
RG: Yes, of course. I have commenced writing Gracie’s Wallet (another children’s book). Additionally, I have recently completed my adult book, Cry & Then Boss Up, a nonfiction book on dealing with losses and using that energy to ultimately becoming a Boss rather than allowing the chaos of this world to defeat you.
FFF: I look forward to reading them!
Thank you so much for being here! I hope and pray God will bless your book and use it to help grieving families everywhere!
RG: Thanks for having me!
Rachel was born in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, Rachel Gregoire has lived in both Massachusetts and Florida where she completed her undergraduate degree. Returning to the Turks & Caicos, she continued her studies online at the University of Liverpool. She completed her master's degree in International Finance and Accounting, and shortly after, she was accepted to the University of Walden to pursue her doctorate in Business Administration. In addition to her background in finance, she is an author and a hotelier.
She truly believes that no one should allow their pain and adversity to defeat them but instead turn it into something beautiful. She has a genuine passion for others; she enjoys writing, reading, playing the violin, running, and traveling. After losing her dear son to extreme prematurity, Rachel became a founding member of the Turks & Caicos Premature Foundation: finding purpose in every loss.
Connect with Rachel!
https://www.facebook.com/rachel.gregory.710
The website for Rachel’s foundation is under construction, but here’s the link you can bookmark for later: www.rachelgreg.com
Rachel’s book makes a great Christmas gift! https://smile.amazon.com/Great-Rachel-Gregory/dp/1612447295/
COVER REVEAL - Lament
9/24/2020 7:13:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - The Soda Pop Wars
8/3/2020 8:03:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Azriel
7/8/2020 9:33:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour for BURN
5/21/2020 6:59:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Burn
4/9/2020 8:20:00 AM by: pam
BLOG TOUR - Shadow Light
4/6/2020 6:35:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Shadow Light
3/24/2020 9:55:00 AM by: pam
New and Fun Things!
1/15/2020 7:37:00 PM by: pam
Christmas Specials!
12/12/2019 6:15:00 PM by: pam
Blog Tour - DEAR AUTHOR
12/9/2019 10:18:00 AM by: pam
The Great - a truly unique picture book
12/2/2019 8:11:00 PM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Dear Author
11/4/2019 9:59:00 AM by: pam
FAIRYEATER Birthday Prizes
10/26/2019 7:18:00 AM by: pam
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAIRYEATER!
10/25/2019 8:09:00 AM by: pam
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Four
10/24/2019 7:10:00 AM by: pam
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Three
10/23/2019 8:15:00 AM by: pam
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Two
10/22/2019 7:29:00 AM by: pam
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day One
10/21/2019 7:54:00 AM by: pam
SECOND BONUS POST for the Children's Book Scavenger Hunt
9/15/2019 8:47:00 AM by: pam
FIRST BONUS Post for the Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt
9/14/2019 7:41:00 AM by: pam
Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt: Stop #8
9/12/2019 8:46:00 PM by: pam
BLOG TOUR - World Building in Curse Bound
7/10/2019 7:10:00 AM by: pam
BLOG TOUR - KEEN
7/4/2019 7:54:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Keen
6/6/2019 7:43:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL - Heart of the Curiosity
5/24/2019 7:05:00 AM by: pam
Interview With Spencer Meadow Press
5/17/2019 10:52:00 AM by: pam
Happy Half Birthday, Fairyeater!
4/25/2019 8:20:00 AM by: pam
ENCIRCLED Blog Tour
4/10/2019 7:22:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour - FLARE
3/5/2019 7:56:00 AM by: pam
February is Fairyeating Month!
2/6/2019 8:35:00 AM by: pam
The INSPY Awards
1/29/2019 9:54:00 AM by: pam
Cover Reveal - FLARE
1/18/2019 8:39:00 AM by: pam
Rothana Blog Tour - Mythology
11/27/2018 7:22:00 AM by: pam
Black Friday/Christmas Sale!
11/23/2018 6:24:00 AM by: pam
Cover Reveal - Rothana
11/6/2018 3:05:00 PM by: pam
Release Day for Fairyeater!
10/25/2018 7:28:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour for Fairyeater Starts Today!
10/22/2018 9:29:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour - Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales
10/1/2018 2:49:00 PM by: pam
Blog Tour - Kill the Beast
9/17/2018 7:45:00 AM by: pam
COVER REVEAL DAY!!
8/31/2018 7:03:00 AM by: pam
Almost Cover Reveal Time!
8/24/2018 3:35:00 PM by: pam
Willoughby's New Bling!
8/2/2018 3:22:00 PM by: pam
The Realm Awards Finalists' FB Party!
6/15/2018 3:54:00 PM by: pam
Mechanical Animals, Mechanical Animials, Mechanical Animals
6/5/2018 7:37:00 AM by: pam
Book Review - SINKING
4/23/2018 10:03:00 AM by: pam
Author Spotlight - Imani Ariana Grant
4/16/2018 7:41:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour - Exordia
4/10/2018 7:22:00 AM by: pam
Willoughby Wednesday - The Realm Awards!
4/4/2018 9:41:00 AM by: pam
Willoughby Wednesday - Cover Reveal!
3/28/2018 9:14:00 AM by: pam
Blog Tour MYTHICAL DOORWAYS
3/27/2018 9:30:00 AM by: pam
Willoughby Wednesday Sneak Peek!
2/28/2018 12:52:00 PM by: pam
Blog Tour COMMON by Laurie Lucking
2/5/2018 6:40:00 AM by: pam
Manuscript Monday - a new beginning
1/22/2018 7:17:00 AM by: pam
Realm Makers, here I come!
7/25/2017 7:41:00 AM by: pam
Katie Morford and her amazing Author's Toolkit!
6/26/2017 1:29:00 PM by: pam
Willoughby In New York!
5/31/2017 9:31:00 AM by: pam
Willoughby's Illustrator is Having a Map Drawer Clean Out!
5/25/2017 3:44:00 PM by: pam
Blog Tour - Jill Hackman
5/24/2017 6:41:00 AM by: pam
Willoughby Wednesday 5-17-17
5/17/2017 7:19:00 AM by: pam
Manuscript Monday, May 15, 2017
5/15/2017 8:13:00 AM by: pam
Fantasy Fhoto Friday 5-12-17
5/12/2017 3:45:00 PM by: pam
Manuscript Monday May 8th
5/8/2017 3:32:00 PM by: pam
Blog Tour - Rachel Lopez
5/4/2017 6:51:00 AM by: pam
New Schedule!
5/1/2017 2:02:00 PM by: pam
Willoughby's Dragon Party
4/2/2017 3:45:00 PM by: pam
Willoughby Loves to go Visiting!
3/24/2017 8:26:00 PM by: pam
Fun Facts about Willoughby
3/16/2017 3:49:00 PM by: pam
Willoughby's Facebook Party!
3/14/2017 8:01:00 AM by: pam
Cover Reveal Day!
3/6/2017 7:44:00 AM by: Pam
Willoughby's Coming!
2/27/2017 3:25:00 PM by: Pam Halter
Those pesky revisions
10/2/2014 1:14:14 PM by: pam
Contract signed!
8/16/2014 7:20:41 AM by: pam
My Writing Process Blog Tour
5/26/2014 12:48:35 PM by: pam
New Location
5/19/2014 12:17:30 PM by: pam